ABSTRACT. – The monogeneric family Idiosepiidae (Mollusca: Cephalopoda: Idiosepiida) contains the smallest living representatives of squid. Sexual dimorphism, presence of an adhesive organ on the dorsal mantle integument, lack of fully developed tentacles on hatching, and ability to produce large quantities of eggs relative to their body size during reproduction provide unique characteristics not commonly found in other cephalopods. These “mini-maximalists” have a life history strategy of rapid growth and high fecundity, and species of Idiosepius have been used as a model to examine embryonic and post-embryonic development, neurobiology, phylogeny, physiology, and life history strategies. Their small size, rapid generation time, solitary nature, and ease of producing eggs/hatchlings in captivity has provided a solid foundation for better understanding the evolution of an organism that has pushed the boundaries of a multitude of life history characteristics not observed in other metazoans.