The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) captured footage of a female squid guarding her egg clutch off the coast of California using a remotely operated vehicle.
Video: MBARI
The red squid featured in the video shared by MBARI on YouTube on July 6 belongs to the species Bathyteuthis squid, which primarily feeds on mollusks in deep ocean waters. According to MBARI, images of a female squid embracing her egg clutch are extremely rare. The remotely operated vehicle ROV Doc Ricketts recorded this sighting during a recent dive at a depth of 1,390 meters. Bathyteuthis squid inhabit oceans worldwide at depths ranging from 700 to 2,000 meters.
The mother squid exhibits special care for the hatchlings about to be born. Researchers indicate that most squids lay their eggs on the ocean floor or release them to drift in the water. They speculate that the behavior of carrying the egg clutch may enhance the survival chances of the young. The MBARI research team suspects that other deep-sea squid species may also carry their egg clutches in a similar manner.
Deep-sea squid protecting hundreds of eggs.
The video aids scientists in gaining a better understanding of how marine creatures care for their young. The act of guarding the egg clutch prevents the mother squid from foraging or escaping quickly from predators. In return, this behavior may provide better protection for the offspring.
For three decades, the team of experts at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) has explored the deep seabed of the bay using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), discovering many fascinating creatures, including various species of dragonfish, giant jellyfish, and transparent barreleye fish.
