Nototodarus sloanii
| Nototodarus sloanii | |
|---|---|
| Dorsal and ventral view of Nototodarus sloanii | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Order: | Oegopsida |
| Family: | Ommastrephidae |
| Subfamily: | Todarodinae |
| Genus: | Nototodarus |
| Species: | N. sloanii |
| Binomial name | |
| Nototodarus sloanii (Gray, 1849) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Nototodarus sloanii is a species of squid commonly known as the New Zealand arrow squid or Wellington flying squid. It is also known by its Māori name of wheketere. It is a favoured prey species of a number of marine mammals and diving birds. It is an important food source for the New Zealand fur seal and two endangered species: the New Zealand sea lion and the yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes). Nototodarus sloanii is sought by trawler fishermen for human consumption; New Zealand sea lions are frequently caught in trawl nets and drowned when feeding on N. sloanii.