Giant squid

For other uses, see Giant squid (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Colossal squid.

Giant squid
Giant squid, Architeuthis sp., modified from an illustration by A. E. Verrill, 1880
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Oegopsida
Superfamily: Architeuthoidea
Family: Architeuthidae
Pfeffer, 1900
Genus: Architeuthis
Steenstrup in Harting, 1860
Species:
A. dux
Binomial name
Architeuthis dux
Worldwide giant squid distribution based on recovered specimens
Synonyms
  • Architeuthus Steenstrup, 1857
  • Dinoteuthis More, 1875
  • Dubioteuthis Joubin, 1900
  • Megaloteuthis Kent, 1874
  • Megateuthis Hilgendorf in Carus, 1880
  • Megateuthus Hilgendorf, 1880
  • Mouchezis Vélain, 1877
  • Plectoteuthis Owen, 1881
  • Steenstrupia Kirk, 1882

The giant squid (Architeuthis dux) is a species of deep-ocean dwelling squid in the family Architeuthidae. It can grow to a tremendous size, offering an example of abyssal gigantism: recent estimates put the maximum size at around 12–13 m (39–43 ft)[2][3][4][5] for females and 10 m (33 ft)[3] for males, from the posterior fins to the tip of the two long tentacles. This makes it longer than the colossal squid at an estimated 9–10 m (30–33 ft),[6] but substantially lighter, as the tentacles make up most of the length[7]. The mantle of the giant squid is about 2 m (6 ft 7 in) long (more for females, less for males), and the length of the squid excluding its tentacles (but including head and arms) rarely exceeds 5 m (16 ft).[3] Claims of specimens measuring 20 m (66 ft) or more have not been scientifically documented.[3]

The number of different giant squid species has been debated, but genetic research suggests that only one species exists.[8]

In 2004, a Japanese research team obtained the first images of a living animal in its habitat.[9]

  1. ^ Allcock, L.; Barratt, I. (2014). "Architeuthis dux". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T163265A991505. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T163265A991505.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference McClain_etal_2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference OShea was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Tracey, D. M., O. F. Anderson & J. R. Naylor (2011). A guide to common deepsea invertebrates in New Zealand waters. Third edition. Archived 23 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington. 317 pp.
  5. ^ Yukhov, V. L. (2014). Гигантские кальмары рода Architeuthis в Южном океане / Giant calmaries Architeuthis in the Southern ocean Archived 9 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine. [Gigantskiye kalmary roda Architeuthis v Yuzhnom okeane.] Ukrainian Antarctic Journal no. 13: 242–253. (in Russian)
  6. ^ Roper, C. F. E.; Jereb, P. (2010). "Myopsid and Oegopsid Squids". In Jereb, P.; Roper, C. F. E. (eds.). Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species known to date. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. Vol. 2. Rome: FAO. pp. 148–178. No. 4, Vol. 2. Archived from the original on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  7. ^ Atkinson, Kent (1 May 2008). "Size matters on 'squid row' (+photos, video)". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference genetics was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Kubodera, T.; Mori, K. (2005). "First-ever observations of a live giant squid in the wild". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 272 (1581): 2583–2586. doi:10.1098/rspb.2005.3158. PMC 1559985. PMID 16321779.