Researchers Encounter a Small Squid Likely to Be an Immature Giant Squid in the Southern Ocean.
(Video: IFL Science).
An international research team has ambitious plans to search for and study the giant squid in its natural habitat in 2025, marking the 100th anniversary of the discovery of this species. From December 2022 to March 2023, the team made four trips to Antarctica in search of the giant squid. They utilized the polar cruise ship named Ocean Endeavor, which is equipped with deep-sea cameras capable of descending to depths of up to 400 meters, according to IFL Science.
The Giant Squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), also known as the Antarctic Giant Squid, is one of the ocean’s greatest mysteries. There are no photographs or footage of giant squids living in their natural environment. What researchers know about this monstrous creature comes from a few specimens caught in fishing nets or washed ashore. The giant squid can reach lengths of 14 meters and weigh at least 500 kilograms. It holds numerous world records, including being the largest invertebrate on the planet by weight. This elusive creature is believed to inhabit the deep waters of the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.
The young squid may belong to the giant squid species.
While they did not find an adult specimen, the research team filmed a glass squid measuring 10-12 cm. They are currently analyzing this footage and speculate that it could be an unknown species, an adult Galiteuthis glacialis, or a small, immature giant squid, according to Matt Mulrennan, a marine scientist and leader of the four expeditions from 2022 to 2023, as well as the founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization Kolossal.
The glass squid, scientifically classified as Cranchiidae, is a family of squids that includes both the giant squid and Galiteuthis glacialis. These are the only two members of the Cranchidae family that live in Antarctic waters. According to Aaron Evans, the squid captured in the video may belong to different forms of one of the two squid species.
In the video, a large volume of sea snow and organic material falling to the deep seabed obscured the view as the mysterious squid appeared. “Identifying the glass squid from the footage can be challenging. Some species have a combination of distinct recognizable features, but many others look so similar that it is very difficult to confirm which species they belong to,” commented Dr. Kat Bolstad from Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
In addition to the squid images, the research team also captured footage of over 80 other deep-sea organisms, including giant sponges, Antarctic sunflowers, soft corals, sea pens, tube anemones, and sea lilies.
