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Teuthida

(Order)

Overview

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Squid are cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species. Like all other cephalopods, squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, a mantle, and arms. Squid, like cuttlefish, have eight arms arranged in pairs and two, usually longer, tentacles. Squid are strong swimmers and certain species can 'fly' for short distances out of the water.2]

Modification from ancestral forms

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Squid have differentiated from their ancestral molluscs such that the body plan has been condensed antero-posteriorly and extended dorso-ventrally. What before may have been the foot of the ancestor is modified into a complex set of tentacles and highly developed sense organs, including advanced eyes similar to those of vertebrates.

The ancestral shell has been lost, with only an internal gladius, or pen, remaining. The pen is a feather-shaped internal structure that supports the squid's mantle and serves as a site for muscle attachment. It is made of a chitin-like substance.

Anatomy

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Photo of squid with 8 short arms and two longer tentacles
European Squid (Loligo vulgaris)

The main body mass is enclosed in the mantle, which has a swimming fin along each side. These fins, unlike in other marine organisms, are not the main source of locomotion in most species.

The skin is covered in chromatophores, which enable the squid to change color to suit its surroundings, making it practically invisible. The underside is also almost always lighter than the topside, to provide camouflage from both prey and predator.

Under the body are openings to the mantle cavity, which contains the gills (ctenidia) and openings to the excretory and reproductive systems. At the front of the mantle cavity lies the siphon, which the squid uses for locomotion via precise jet propulsion. In this form of locomotion, water is sucked into the mantle cavity and expelled out of the siphon in a fast, strong jet. The direction of the siphon can be changed, to suit the direction of travel.

Inside the mantle cavity, beyond the siphon, lies the visceral mass, which is covered by a thin, membranous epidermis. Under this are all the major internal organs.

Nervous system

The giant axon, which may be up to 1 mm (0.04 inches) in diameter in some larger species, innervates the mantle and controls part of the jet propulsion system.

As cephalopods, squid exhibit relatively high intelligence among invertebrates. For example, groups of Humboldt squid hunt cooperatively, using active communication. (See Cephalopod intelligence.)

Reproductive system

A dissected male specimen of Onykia ingens, showing a non-erect penis (the white tubular structure located below most of the other organs)
A specimen of the same species exhibiting elongation of the penis to 67 cm in length

In females the ink sac is hidden from view by a pair of white nidamental glands, which lie anterior to the gills. There are also red-spotted accessory nidamental glands. Both organs are associated with food manufacture and shells for the eggs. Females also have a large translucent ovary, situated towards the posterior of the visceral mass.

Males do not possess these organs, but instead have a large testis in place of the ovary, and a spermatophoric gland and sac. In mature males, this sac may contain spermatophores, which are placed inside the female's mantle during mating.

Shallow water species of the continental shelf and epipelagic/mesopelagic zones are characterised by the presence of hectocotyli, specially modified arms used to fertilise the female's eggs.[3] Most deep sea squid lack hectocotyli and have longer penises; Ancistrocheiridae and Cranchiinae are exceptions.[3] Giant squid of the genus Architeuthis are unusual in that they possess both a large penis and modified arm tips, although it is uncertain whether the latter are used for spermatophore transfer.[3] Penis elongation has been observed in the deep water species Onykia ingens; when erect, the penis may be as long as the mantle, head and arms combined.[3][4] As such, deep water squid have the greatest known penis length relative to body size of all mobile animals, second in the entire animal kingdom only to certain sessile barnacles.[3]

Digestive system

Like all cephalopods, squid have complex digestive systems. The muscular stomach is found roughly in the midpoint of the visceral mass. From there, the bolus moves into the caecum for digestion. The caecum, a long, white organ, is found next to the ovary or testis. In mature squid, more priority is given to reproduction such that the stomach and caecum often shrivel up during the later life stages. Finally, food goes to the liver (or digestive gland), found at the siphon end, for absorption. Solid waste is passed out of the rectum. Beside the rectum is the ink sac, which allows a squid to rapidly discharge black ink into the mantle cavity.

Diagram labeling siphon, intestine, nidamental gland, accessory nidamental gland, renal pore, and branchial heart.
Ventral view of the viscera of the female Chtenopteryx sicula

Cardiovascular system

Squid have three hearts. Two branchial hearts feed the gills, each surrounding the larger systemic heart that pumps blood around the body. Squid blood contains the copper-rich protein hemocyanin for transporting oxygen. The faintly greenish hearts are surrounded by the renal sacs - the main excretory system. The kidneys are difficult to identify and stretch from the hearts (located at the posterior side of the ink sac) to the liver. The systemic heart is made of three chambers, a lower ventricle and two upper auricles.

Head

The head end bears 8 arms and 2 tentacles, each a form of muscular hydrostat containing many suckers along the edge. These tentacles do not grow back if severed. In the mature male, one basal half of the left ventral tentacle is hectocotylised ? and ends in a copulatory pad rather than suckers. It is used for sexual intercourse.

The mouth is equipped with a sharp horny beak mainly made of chitin[5] and cross-linked proteins, and is used to kill and tear prey into manageable pieces. The beak is very robust, but does not contain minerals, unlike the teeth and jaws of many other organisms, including marine species.[6] Captured whales often have indigestible squid beaks in their stomachs. The mouth contains the radula (the rough tongue common to all molluscs except bivalvia).

The eyes, on either side of the head, each contain a hard lens. The image is focused by changing the position of the lens, as in a camera or telescope, rather than changing the shape of the lens, as in the human eye.

Squid appear to have limited hearing.[7]

Size

Photo of squid with prominiently visible eye
A frozen giant squid in Melbourne Aquarium
See also: Giant squid, Colossal squid, and Cephalopod size

The majority are no more than 60 centimetres (24 in) long, although the giant squid may reach 13 metres (43 ft).[8]

In 1978, sharp, curved claws on the suction cups of squid tentacles cut up the rubber coating on the hull of the USS Stein. The size suggested the largest squid known at the time.[9]

In 2003, a large specimen of an abundant[10] but poorly understood species, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni (the colossal squid), was discovered. This species may grow to 14 metres (46 ft) in length, making it the largest invertebrate.[11] Squid have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom. Giant squid are featured in literature and folklore with a frightening connotation. The Kraken is a legendary tentacled monster possibly based on sightings of real giant squid.

In February 2007, a New Zealand fishing vessel caught a colossal squid weighing 495 kilograms (1,090 lb) and measuring around 10 metres (33 ft) off the coast of Antarctica.[12] This specimen represents the largest cephalopod to ever be scientifically documented.

Classification

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Bathyteuthis abyssicola
Grimalditeuthis bonplandi
Histioteuthis reversa
Mastigoteuthis flammea
Onychoteuthis banksii
Pterygioteuthis giardi

Squid are members of the class Cephalopoda, subclass Coleoidea, order Teuthida, of which there are two major suborders, Myopsina and Oegopsina (including giant squids like Architeuthis dux). Teuthida is the largest cephalopod order with around 300 species classified into 29 families.

The order Teuthida is a member of the superorder Decapodiformes (from the Greek for "ten legs"). Two other orders of decapodiform cephalopods are also called squid, although they are taxonomically distinct from Teuthida and differ recognizably in their gross anatomical features. They are the bobtail squid of order Sepiolida and the ram's horn squid of the monotypic order Spirulida. The vampire squid, however, is more closely related to the octopuses than to any squid.

Commercial fishing

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According to the FAO, the cephalopod catch for 2002 was 3,173,272 tonnes (6.995867?109 lb). Of this, 2,189,206 tonnes, or 75.8 percent, was squid.[13] The following table lists the squid species fishery catches which exceeded 10,000 tonnes (22,000,000 lb ) in 2002.

As food

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Main article: Squid (food)
Photo of rings of breaded, fried squid
Fried calamari: breaded, deep-fried squid

Many species are popular as food in cuisines as diverse as Chinese, Greek, Turkish, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Indian, Vietnamese, and Filipino.

In English-speaking countries, squid as food is often marketed using the Italian word calamari. Squid are found abundantly in certain areas, and provide large catches for fisheries. The body can be stuffed whole, cut into flat pieces or sliced into rings. The arms, tentacles and ink are also edible; in fact, the only parts that are not eaten are the beak and gladius (pen). Squid is a good food source for zinc, manganese and high in the recommended daily intake of copper,[15] selenium, vitamin B12, and riboflavin.[16]

See also

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ile barnacles.[3]

Digestive system

Like all cephalopods, squid have complex digestive systems. The muscular stomach is found roughly in the midpoint of the visceral mass. From there, the bolus moves into the caecum for digestion. The caecum, a long, white organ, is found next to the ovary or testis. In mature squid, more priority is given to reproduction such that the stomach and caecum often shrivel up during the later life stages. Finally, food goes to the liver (or digestive gland), fo und at the siphon end, for absorption. Solid waste is passed out of the rectum. Beside the rectum is the ink sac, which allows a squid to rapidly discharge black ink into the mantle cavity.

Diagram labeling siphon, intestine, nidamental gland, accessory nidamental gland, renal pore, and branchial heart.
Ventral view of the viscera of the female Chtenopteryx sicula

Cardiovascular system

Squid have three hearts. Two branchial hearts feed the gills, each surrounding the larger systemic heart that pumps blood around the body. Squid blood contains the copper-rich protein hemocyanin for transporting oxygen. The faintly greenish hearts are surrounded by the renal sacs - the main excretory system. The kidneys are difficult to identify and stretch from the hearts (located at the posterior side of the ink sac) to the liver. The systemic heart is made of three chambers, a lower ventricle and two upper auricles.

Head

The head end bears 8 arms and 2 tentacles, each a form of muscular hydrostat containing many suckers along the edge. These tentacles do not grow back if severed. In the mature male, one basal half of the left ventral tentacle is hectocotylised ? and ends in a copulatory pad rather than suckers. It is used for sexual intercourse.

The mouth is equipped with a sharp horny beak mainly made of chitin[5] and cross-linked proteins, and is used to kill and tear prey into manageable pieces. The beak is very robust, but does not contain minerals, unlike the teeth and jaws of many other organisms, including marine species.[6] Captured whales often have indigestible squid beaks in their stomachs. The mouth contains the radula (the rough tongue common to all molluscs except bivalvia).

The eyes, on either side of the head, each contain a hard lens. The image is focused by changing the position of the lens, as in a camera or telescope, rather than changing the shape of the lens, as in the human eye.

Squid appear to have limited hearing.[7]

Size

Photo of squid with prominiently visible eye
A frozen giant squid in Melbourne Aquarium
See also: Giant squid, Colossal squid, and Cephalopod size

The majority are no more than 60 centimetres (24 in) long, although the giant squid may reach 13 metres (43 ft).[8]

In 1978, sharp, curved claws on the suction cups of squid tentacles cut up the rubber coating on the hull of the USS Stein. The size suggested the largest squid known at the time.[9]

In 2003, a large specimen of an abundant[10] but poorly understood species, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni (the colossal squid), was discovered. This species may grow to 14 metres (46 ft) in length, making it the largest invertebrate.[11] Squid have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom. Giant squid are featured in literature and folklore with a frightening connotation. The Kraken is a legendary tentacled monster possibly based on sightings of real giant squid.

In February 2007, a New Zealand fishing vessel caught a colossal squid weighing 495 kilograms (1,090 lb) and measuring around 10 metres (33 ft) off the coast of Antarctica.[12] This specimen represents the largest cephalopod to ever be scientifically documented.

Classification

[ Back to top ]
Bathyteuthis abyssicola
Grimalditeuthis bonplandi
Histioteuthis reversa
Mastigoteuthis flammea
Onychoteuthis banksii
Pterygioteuthis giardi

Squid are members of the class Cephalopoda, subclass Coleoidea, order Teuthida, of which there are two major suborders, Myopsina and Oegopsina (including giant squids like Architeuthis dux). Teuthida is the largest cephalopod order with around 300 species classified into 29 families.

The order Teuthida is a member of the superorder Decapodiformes (from the Greek for "ten legs"). Two other orders of decapodiform cephalopods are also called squid, although they are taxonomically distinct from Teuthida and differ recognizably in their gross anatomical features. They are the bobtail squid of order Sepiolida and the ram's horn squid of the monotypic order Spirulida. The vampire squid, however, is more closely related to the octopuses than to any squid.

Commercial fishing

[ Back to top ]

According to the FAO, the cephalopod catch for 2002 was 3,173,272 tonnes (6.995867?109 lb). Of this, 2,189,206 tonnes, or 75.8 percent, was squid.[13] The following table lists the squid species fishery catches which exceeded 10,000 tonnes (22,000,000 lb) in 2002.

As food

[ Back to top ]
Main article: Squid (food)
Photo of rings of breaded, fried squid
Fried calamari: breaded, deep-fried squid

Many species are popular as food in cuisines as diverse as Chinese, Greek, Turkish, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Indian, Vietnamese, and Filipino.

In English-speaking countries, squid as food is often marketed using the Italian word calamari. Squid are found abund antly in certain areas, and provide large catches for fisheries. The body can be stuffed whole, cut into flat pieces or sliced into rings. The arms, tentacles and ink are also edible; in fact, the only parts that are not eaten are the beak and gladius (pen). Squid is a good food source for zinc, manganese and high in the recommended daily intake of copper,[15] selenium, vitamin B12, and riboflavin.[16]

See also

[ Back to top ]


References

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  1. ^ Tanabe, K .; Hikida, Y.; Iba, Y. (2006). "Two Coleoid Jaws from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan". Journal of Paleontology 80 (1): 138?145. doi:10.1666/0022-3360(2006)080[0138:TCJFTU]2.0.CO;2 
  2. ^ Jabr, F. 2010. Fact or Fiction: Can a Squid Fly Out of the Water? Scientific American, August 2, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e Arkhipkin, A.I. & V.V. Laptikhovsky 2010. Observation of penis elongation in Onykia ingens: implications for spermatophore transfer in deep-water squid. Journal Molluscan Studies, published online on June 30, 2010. doi:10.1093/mollus/eyq019
  4. ^ Walker, M. 2010. Super squid sex organ discovered. BBC Earth News, July 7, 2010.
  5. ^ Clarke, M.R. (1986). A Handbook for the Identification of Cephalopod Beaks. Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-857603-X. 
  6. ^ Miserez, A; Li, Y; Waite, H; Zok, F (2007). "Jumbo squid beaks: Inspiration for design of robust organic composites". Acta Biomaterialia 3 (1): 139?149. doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2006.09.004. PMID 17113369. 
  7. ^ Matt Walker (15 June 2009). "The cephalopods can hear you". BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8095000/8095977.stm. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  8. ^ O'Shea, S. (2003.). "Giant Squid and Colossal Squid Fact Sheet". The Octopus News Magazine Online.. http://www.tonmo.com/science/public/giantsquidfacts.php. 
  9. ^ Johnson, C. Scott "Sea Creatures and the Problem of Equipment Damage" United States Naval Institute Proceedings August 1978 pp.106-107
  10. ^ Xavier, J.C., P.G. Rodhouse, P.N. Trathan & A.G. Wood 1999. A Geographical Information System (GIS) Atlas of cephalopod distribution in the Southern Ocean.PDF Antarctic Science 11:61-62. online version
  11. ^ Anderton, Jim (22 February 2007). "World's largest squid landed in NZ". New Zealand Government website. http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/world039s-largest-squid-landed-nz. 
  12. ^ "Microwave plan for colossal squid". BBC News. March 22, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6478801.stm. 
  13. ^ a b Rodhouse, Paul G (2005). "Review of the state of world marine fishery resources: Fisheries technical paper". World squid resources (FAO) (447). ISBN 95-5-105267-0. http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/y5852e/Y5852E08.htm#ch3.2. 
  14. ^ a b nei: not elsewhere included
  15. ^ Squid - Overview: Food Market Exchange - B2B e-marketplace for the food industry
  16. ^ FishWatch - Market Squid

External links

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Taxonomy

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The Order Teuthida is further organized into finer groupings including:

Families

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Ancistrocheiridae

The Sharpear Enope Squid (Ancistrocheirus lesueurii) is the only species in the genus Ancistrocheirus and family Ancistrocheiridae. With a mantle length of 25 cm, this moderately sized squid may be found throughout the tropical and subtropical oceans. They tend to be found at mesopelagic depths (200-1000 metres down). [more]

Architeuthidae

The giant squid (genus: Architeuthis) is a deep-ocean dwelling squid in the family Architeuthidae, represented by as many as eight species. Giant squid can grow to a tremendous size (see Deep-sea gigantism): recent estimates put the maximum size at 13 metres (43 ft) for females and 10 metres (33 ft) for males from caudal fin to the tip of the two long tentacles (second only to the colossal squid at an estimated 14 metres (46 ft), one of the largest living organisms). The mantle is about 2 metres (6.6 ft) long (more for females, less for males), and the length of the squid excluding its tentacles is about 5 metres (16 ft). There have been claims of specimens measuring 20 metres (66 ft) or more, but no giant squid of such size has been scientifically documented. [more]

Bathyteuthidae

Bathyteuthis is the singular genus of squid in the family Bathyteuthidae, encompassing three species. None obtain a mantle length greater than 80 mm. [more]

Batoteuthidae

Bush-club Squid (Batoteuthis skolops) is the single rare species in genus Batoteuthis, which is the only genus in family Batoteuthidae. The squid is found in Antarctic waters, and reaches a mantle length of at least 350 mm. Some features of this creature are a small head, a long tail and a very peculiar tentacle with six series of suckers on the club. [more]

Brachioteuthidae

Brachioteuthidae is a family of squid. It contains two genera and around six species. [more]

Chiroteuthidae

Chiroteuthids are deep-sea squid of the family Chiroteuthidae. They are generally small to medium in size, rather soft and gelatinous, and slow moving. They are found in most temperate and tropical oceans, but are known primarily from the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Indo-Pacific. The family is represented by approximately twelve species and four subspecies in four genera, two of which are monotypic. They are sometimes known collectively as whip-lash squid: However, this common name is also applied to the Mastigoteuthidae, which is itself sometimes treated as a subfamily (Mastigoteuthinae) of Chiroteuthidae. [more]

Chtenopterygidae

Chtenopteryx is a genus of small, muscular, midwater squid in the monotypic family Chtenopterygidae. Four species are presently recognized in the genus, but more are believed to exist. [more]

Cranchiidae

The family Cranchiidae comprises the approximately 60 species of glass squid, also known as cranchiid or cranch squid. Cranchiid squid occur in surface and midwater depths of open oceans around the world. They range in mantle length from 10 centimetres (3.9 in) to over 3 metres (9.8 ft), in the case of the Colossal Squid. The common name, glass squid, derives from the transparent nature of most species. Cranchiid squid spend much of their lives in partially sunlit shallow waters where their transparency provides camouflage. They are characterised by a swollen body and short arms, which bear two rows of suckers or hooks. The third arm pair is often enlarged. Many species are bioluminescent organisms and possess light organs on the undersides of their eyes, used to cancel their shadow. Eye morphology varies widely, ranging from large and circular to telescopic and stalked. A large fluid-filled chamber containing ammonia solution is used to aid buoyancy. Often the only organ that is visible through the transparent tissues is a cigar-shaped digestive gland, which is the cephalopod equivalent of a mammalian liver. This is usually held in a vertical position to reduce its silhouette and a light organ is sometimes present on the lower tip to further minimise its appearance in the water. [more]

Ctenopterygidae

[more]

Cycloteuthidae

Cycloteuthidae is a family in the order Teuthida, comprising two genera. While physically dissimilar, molecular evidence supports the relatedness of the genera. The family is found primarily in mesopelagic tropical to subtropical waters. Cycloteuthidae is characterised by a triangular funnel locking apparatus. [more]

Enoploteuthidae

Enoploteuthidea is a family of squid comprising approximately 40 species in 4 genera. Most species have a mantle length ranging from 3-13 cm. Hooks are present on all arms and tentacles. The family is best known for the large array of photophores throughout the body. [more]

Gonatidae

The Gonatidae, also known as armhook squid, are a family of moderately-sized squid. The family contains approximately 19 species in three genera, widely distributed and plentiful in cold boreal waters of the Pacific Ocean. At least one species is known from Antarctic waters, and two from the North Atlantic. [more]

Histioteuthidae

Histioteuthis is a genus of squid and the only member of the Histioteuthidae family. It goes by the English name cock-eyed squid, because in all species the right eye is normal-sized, round, blue and sunken; whereas the left eye is at least twice the diameter of the right eye, tubular, yellow-green, faces upward, and bulges out of the head. [more]

Joubiniteuthidae

Joubin's Squid (Joubiniteuthis portieri) is a rare, small squid found in both the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and in rare cases, the Indian Ocean. The species is named after Louis Joubin, a French zoologist. It is known to reach a mantle length of 9 cm. [more]

Lepidoteuthidae

The Grimaldi Scaled Squid (Lepidoteuthis grimaldii) is a large squid growing to 1 m in mantle length. It is named after the Grimaldi family, reigning house of Monaco. Prince Albert I of Monaco was an amateur teuthologist who pioneered the study of deep sea squids by collecting the 'precious regurgitations' of sperm whales. The Grimaldi Scaled Squid was first collected from the stomach contents of a whale.[] [more]

Loliginidae

Loliginidae, commonly known as pencil squids, is an aquatic family of the order Teuthida (squid). [more]

Lycoteuthidae

Lycoteuthidae is a family of squid comprising four known genera in two subfamilies. They are characterised by a lack of hooks and by photophores present on the viscera, eyeballs and tentacles. [more]

Magnapinnidae

The bigfin squids are a group of rarely seen cephalopods with a distinctive morphology. They are placed in the genus Magnapinna and family Magnapinnidae. The family is known only from larval, paralarval, and juvenile specimens, but some authorities believe the adult creature has been seen: several videos have been taken of animals nicknamed the "long-arm squid", which appear to have a similar morphology. Since none of the adult specimens have ever been captured or sampled, it remains uncertain if they are the same genus, or only distant relatives. [more]

Mastigoteuthidae

The Mastigoteuthidae, also known as whip-lash squid, are a family of small deep-sea squid. Approximately 20 known species in two genera are represented, with members found in both the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zone of most oceans. Originally described by Verill in 1881, it was later lowered by Chun (1920) to a subfamily (Mastigoteuthinae) of the Chiroteuthidae, which are also called whip-lash squid on occasion. However, Roper et al. (1969) raised it back to the family level, and this has not been changed since. [more]

Neoteuthidae

Neoteuthidae is a family of squid comprising four monotypic genera. [more]

Octopoteuthidae

Octopoteuthidae is a family of squid comprising two genera. The family is characterised by tentacles which cease to grow after the paralarval stage; and the use of a penis, instead of a hectocotylus. [more]

Ommastrephidae

Ommastrephidae is a family of squid. It contains 3 subfamilies, 11 genera, and over 20 species. They are widely distributed globally and are extensively fished for food. One species, Todarodes pacificus, comprises around half of the world's cephalopod catch annually. [more]

Onychoteuthidae

The family Onychoteuthidae (Hooked squid) currently comprises approximately 20?25 species (several known from only single life stages and thus unconfirmed), in 6 or 7 genera. They range in mature mantle length from 7 cm to a suggested length of 2 m for the largest member, the Robust Clubhook Squid (Onykia robusta). The family is characterised by the presence of hooks only on the tentacular clubs, a simple straight funnel?mantle locking apparatus, and a 'step' inside the jaw angle of the lower beak. With the exception of the Arctic Ocean, the family is found worldwide. [more]

Pholidoteuthidae

Pholidoteuthis is a genus of squid in the monotypic family Pholidoteuthidae, comprising at least two species. The defunct genus Tetronychoteuthis was previously incorporated into Pholidoteuthidae based upon a singular taxon known as Tetronychoteuthis massyae. Following the discovery of Pholidoteuthis boschmai in 1950, T. massaye was placed into Pholidoteuthis, with Tetronoychoteuthis considered a nomen dubium. P. boschmai is now considered a junior synonym of . [more]

Promachoteuthidae

Promachoteuthis is a genus of small, weakly muscled squid found at bathypelagic depths. Three species have been formally described, while another two await description. [more]

Psychroteuthidae

The Glacial Squid (Psychroteuthis glacialis) is the only known species in the monotypic genus Psychroteuthis, in the family Psychroteuthidae. While only one species has been confirmed, it is possible that two undescribed species also exist. The species occurs in coastal waters near Antarctica and South America. It grows to a mantle length of 44 cm. [more]

Pyroteuthidae

Fire squid are species belonging to the family Pyroteuthidae. The family comprises two genera. Species are diurnally mesopelagic, however migrate into surface waters during the night. The family is characterised by the tentacles, which have a permanent constriction and bend near the base; and photophores occurring on the tentacles, eyeballs and viscera. Members reach mantle lengths of 23-50 mm. Paralavae of the family are common around the Hawaiian Islands, with up to 17% of collected specimens in the area belonging to Pyroteuthidae. [more]

Thysanoteuthidae

Thysanoteuthis is a genus of large squid comprising one well known species, the Diamond Squid, and two dubious taxa. [more]

Uncertain Taxonomic Position

Walvisteuthidae

Walvisteuthis is a genus of squid consisting of a single species, Walvisteuthis virilis. It is found in the southern Atlantic Ocean. Walvis (the Dutch word for whale) refers to the Walvis Ridge in the South Atlantic; virilis (Latin for male) was chosen because only one, male, specimen was ever caught. [more]

More info about the Family Walvisteuthidae may be found here.

References

[ Back to top ]
  1. ^ Tanabe, K.; Hikida, Y.; Iba, Y. (2006). "Two Coleoid Jaws from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan". Journal of Paleontology 80 (1): 138?145. doi:10.1666/0022-3360(2006)080[0138:TCJFTU]2.0.CO;2 
  2. ^ Jabr, F. 2010. Fact or Fiction: Can a Squid Fly Out of the Water? Scientific American, August 2, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e Arkhipkin, A.I. & V.V. Laptikhovsky 2010. Observation of penis elongation in Onykia ingens: implications for spermatophore transfer in deep-water squid. Journal Molluscan Studies, published online on June 30, 2010. doi:10.1093/mollus/eyq019
  4. ^ Walker, M. 2010. Super squid sex organ discovered. BBC Earth News, July 7, 2010.
  5. ^ Clarke, M.R. (1986). A Handbook for the Identification of Cephalopod Beaks. Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-857603-X. 
  6. ^ Miserez, A; Li, Y; Waite, H; Zok, F (2 007). "Jumbo squid beaks: Inspiration for design of robust organic composites". Acta Biomaterialia 3 (1): 139?149. doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2006.09.004. PMID 17113369. 
  7. ^ Matt Walker (15 June 2009). "The cephalopods can hear you". BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8095000/8095977.stm. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  8. ^ O'Shea, S. (2003.). "Giant Squid and Colossal Squid Fact Sheet". The Octopus News Magazine Online.. http://www.tonmo.com/science/public/giantsquidfacts.php. 
  9. ^ Johnson, C. Scott "Sea Creatures and the Problem of Equipment Damage" United States Naval Institute Proceedings August 1978 pp.106-107
  10. ^ Xavier, J.C., P.G. Rodhouse, P.N. Trathan & A.G. Wood 1999. A Geographical Information System (GIS) Atlas of cephalopod distribution in the Southern Ocean.PDF Antarctic Science 11:61-62. online version
  11. ^ Anderton, Jim (22 February 2007). "World's largest squid landed in NZ". New Zealand Govern ment website. http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/world039s-largest-squid-landed-nz. 
  12. ^ "Microwave plan for colossal squid". BBC News. March 22, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6478801.stm. 
  13. ^ a b Rodhouse, Paul G (2005). "Review of the state of world marine fishery resources: Fisheries technical paper". World squid resources (FAO) (447). ISBN 95-5-105267-0. http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/y5852e/Y5852E08.htm#ch3.2. 
  14. ^ a b nei: not elsewhere included
  15. ^ Squid - Overview: Food Market Exchange - B2B e-marketplace for the food industry
  16. ^ FishWatch - Market Squid

Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:15:30