Colossal squid

Not to be confused with Giant squid.

Colossal squid
Depiction with an inflated mantle
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Oegopsida
Superfamily: Cranchioidea
Family: Cranchiidae
Subfamily: Taoniinae
Genus: Mesonychoteuthis
Robson, 1925
Species:
M. hamiltoni
Binomial name
Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni
Robson, 1925[2]
Global range of M. hamiltoni

The colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) is the world’s largest squid species and the world’s largest mollusc. It belongs to the Cranchiidae family, that of the cockatoo squids or glass squids. It is sometimes called the Antarctic cranch squid or giant squid (not to be confused with the giant squid in genus Architeuthis) and is believed to be the largest squid species in terms of mass.[3] It is the only recognized member of the genus Mesonychoteuthis and is known from only a small number of specimens.[4] The species is confirmed to reach a mass of at least 495 kilograms (1,091 lb), though the largest specimens—known only from beaks found in sperm whale stomachs—may perhaps weigh as much as 600–700 kilograms (1,300–1,500 lb),[5][6] making it the largest known invertebrate.[3] Maximum total length has been estimated between 10 metres (33 ft) and 14 metres (46 ft) but the former estimate is more likely.[7][8] The colossal squid has the largest eyes of any known creature ever to exist, with an estimated diameter of 27–30 cm (11–12 in)[9] to 40 cm (16 in) for the largest collected specimen.

The species has similar anatomy to other members of its family, although it is the only member of Cranchiidae to display hooks on its arms, suckers and tentacles.[10][11] It is known to inhabit the circumantarctic Southern Ocean.[3] It is presumed to be an ambush predator, and is likely a key prey item of the sperm whale.[12][13]

The first specimens were discovered and described in 1925.[14] In 1981, an adult specimen was discovered; in 2003, a second specimen was collected.[15][16] Captured in 2007, the largest colossal squid weighed 495 kilograms (1,091 lb),[17] and is now on display at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[18][19]

In 2022-23 there were several attempts made by scientists including an ocean exploration non-profit KOLOSSAL to find and film the colossal squid in its natural habitat for the first time to learn more about its biology and ecological behavior.[20][21] The science team used a tourism vessel[22][23] to survey 36 locations throughout the Southern Ocean and may have filmed for the first time a small juvenile colossal squid. Researchers have confirmed it is a species of glass squid, but due to marine snow the footage has been harder to confirm without a DNA analysis, and may be Galiteuthis glacialis or a new species of glass squid unknown to science.[24][25][26][27]

More expeditions are being planned for and before 2025, the hundredth year anniversary of the first discovery of the colossal squid, in attempts to find and film an adult colossal squid living freely in its natural environment.[28]

  1. ^ Barratt, I.; Allcock, L. (2014). "Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T163170A980001. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T163170A980001.en. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  2. ^ Bieler R, Bouchet P, Gofas S, Marshall B, Rosenberg G, La Perna R, Neubauer TA, Sartori AF, Schneider S, Vos C, ter Poorten JJ, Taylor J, Dijkstra H, Finn J, Bank R, Neubert E, Moretzsohn F, Faber M, Houart R, Picton B, Garcia-Alvarez O (eds.). "Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni G. C. Robson, 1925". MolluscaBase. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference review was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ [Te Papa] (2019). How big is the colossal squid on display? Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
  6. ^ [Te Papa] (2019). The beak of the colossal squid. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
  7. ^ Roper, C.F.E. & P. Jereb (2010). Family Cranchiidae. In: P. Jereb & C.F.E. Roper (eds.) Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species known to date. Volume 2. Myopsid and Oegopsid Squids. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes No. 4, Vol. 2. FAO, Rome. pp. 148–178.
  8. ^ "Colossal Squid". Oceana. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  9. ^ "The eyes of the colossal squid". Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, NZ. 29 December 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference suckershooks was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Nilsson, Dan-Eric; Warrant, Eric J.; Johnsen, Sönke; Hanlon, Roger; Shashar, Nadav (2012). "A Unique Advantage for Giant Eyes in Giant Squid". Current Biology. 22 (8): 683–688. Bibcode:2012CBio...22..683N. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2012.02.031. PMID 22425154.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference :10 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference :11 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference :12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference :13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference :14 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ Tapaleao, Vaimoana (11 August 2014). "Is it a boy? Te Papa gets new colossal squid". New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  20. ^ McGrath, Jenny. "Scientists went on a hunt for the elusive colossal squid — and brought cruise ship tourists with them". Business Insider. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Studying the World's Largest Invertebrate - the Colossal Squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni". Experiment - Moving Science Forward. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  22. ^ ECO (22 November 2022). "Expedition Launching to Study the Colossal Squid in Antarctica". ECO Magazine. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  23. ^ Graham, Myrah; Herbig, Jennifer; Jacobsen, Eugenie; Maldonado, Tatiana K.; Beck, Jared; Lackey, Brent; Mulrennan, Matthew (20 February 2024). "New methods of undertaking marine science in Antarctica using tourism vessels". PLOS Climate. 3 (2): e0000348. doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000348. ISSN 2767-3200.
  24. ^ Haro, Alexander (30 May 2024). "A Baby Colossal Squid Might Have Been Filmed for the First Time Ever". The Inertia. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  25. ^ Magazine, Hakai. "Visiting the Kraken at Home". Hakai Magazine. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  26. ^ ""Mystery" Glass Squid In Antarctica Could Be First-Ever Colossal Squid Baby Filmed". IFLScience. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  27. ^ "For the First Time Ever, the Colossal Squid Might Have Shown Its Secret Face". Popular Mechanics. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  28. ^ Mulrennan, Matthew; Collett, Chad (2022). "Expedition Launching to Study the Colossal Squid in Antarctica". The Journal of Ocean Technology. 17 (4): 2 – via Marine Institute.