Giant squid
Giant squid, Architeuthis sp., modified from an illustration by A.E. Verrill, 1880.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Cephalopoda Subclass: Coleoidea Order: Teuthida Suborder: Oegopsina Family: Architeuthidae Pfeffer, 1900 Genus: Architeuthis Steenstrup in Harting, 1860
Species
Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 ?Architeuthis hartingii Verrill, 1875 ?Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 ?Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 ?Architeuthis martensi (Hilgendorf, 1880) ?Architeuthis physeteris (Joubin, 1900) ?Architeuthis sanctipauli (Velain, 1877) ?Architeuthis stockii (Kirk, 1882)
Synonyms
Architeuthus Steenstrup, 1857 Dinoteuthis More, 1875 Dubioteuthis Joubin, 1900 Megaloteuthis Kent, 1874 Megateuthis Hilgendorf in Carus, 1880 Megateuthus Hilgendorf, 1880 Mouchezis Velain, 1877 Plectoteuthis Owen, 1881 Steenstrupia Kirk, 1882

Giant squid, once believed to be mythical creatures, are squid of the Architeuthidae family, represented by as many as eight species of the genus Architeuthis. They are deep-ocean dwelling animals that can grow to a tremendous size: 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 (7 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 reported of specimens of up to 20 metres (66 ft), but no animals of such size have been scientifically documented. Giant Squid is a doom metal band from Sacramento, California, currently signed to The End Records. ... Image File history File links Architeuthis_princeps_image_modified. ... Addison Emery Verrill (1839 - 1926) was an American zoologist. ... Year 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Scientific classification redirects here. ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Classes Aplacophora † ?Bellerophontida Bivalvia Caudofoveata Cephalopoda Gastropoda † Helcionelloida Monoplacophora Polyplacophora † Rostroconchia Scaphopoda † Tentaculita The molluscs (British spelling) or mollusks (American spelling) are members of the very large and diverse phylum of invertebrate animals known as Mollusca. ... Orders Subclass Nautiloidea †Plectronocerida †Ellesmerocerida †Actinocerida †Pseudorthocerida †Endocerida †Tarphycerida †Oncocerida †Discosorida Nautilida †Orthocerida †Ascocerida †Bactritida Subclass †Ammonoidea †Goniatitida †Ceratitida †Ammonitida Subclass Coleoidea †Belemnoidea †Aulacocerida †Belemnitida †Hematitida †Phragmoteuthida Neocoleoidea (most living cephalopods) ?†Boletzkyida Sepiida Sepiolida Spirulida Teuthida Octopoda Vampyromorphida The cephalopods (Greek plural (kephalópoda); head-foot) are the mollusc class... Orders Aulacocerida (extinct) Hematitida  (extinct) Phragmoteuthida  (extinct) Belemnitida  (extinct) Sepiida Sepiolida Spirulida Teuthida Octopoda Vampyromorphida Subclass Coleoidea is the grouping of cephalopods containing all the primarily soft-bodied creatures. ... Suborders Myopsina Oegopsina Squids are the large, diverse group of marine mollusks, popular as food in cuisines as widely separated as the Japanese and the Italian. ... Families See text Oegopsina is a suborder of the squid order, Teuthida, in the Cephalopod Class. ... Georg Johann Pfeffer (1854-1931) was a German zoologist. ... Japetus Steenstrup (1813 - 1897) was a Danish zoologist and biologist. ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... In scientific nomenclature, synonyms are different scientific names used for a single taxon. ... For other uses, see Squid (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... A Giant isopod (Bathynomus giganteus) In zoology, deep-sea gigantism, also known as abyssal gigantism, is the tendency for species of crustaceans, invertebrates and other deep-sea dwelling animals to display a larger size than their shallow-water counterparts. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... A foot (plural: feet; symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... Fish anatomy is primarily governed by the physical characteristics of water, which is much denser than air, holds a relatively small amount of dissolved oxygen, and absorbs light more than air does. ... Binomial name Robson, 1925 The Colossal Squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), sometimes called the Antarctic or Giant Cranch Squid, is believed to be the largest squid species. ... The General Sherman, a Giant Sequoia, is generally considered to be the largest (by volume of its trunk) tree in the world The largest organism found on earth can be measured using a variety of methods. ... The mantle is an organ found in mollusks. ...

On September 30, 2004, researchers from the National Science Museum of Japan and the Ogasawara Whale Watching Association took the first images of a live giant squid in its natural habitat.^[1] Several of the 556 photographs were released a year later. The same team successfully filmed a live giant squid for the first time on December 4, 2006.^[2] Steam locomotive in front of the National Science Museum. ... The Ogasawara Whale Watching Association is an association that regulates whale watching in the Ogasawara Islands. ... is the 338th day of the year (339th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Anatomy

See also: squid and cephalopod

Like all squid, a giant squid has a mantle (torso), eight arms and two longer tentacles. The arms and tentacles account for much of the squid's great length, so giant squid are much lighter than their chief predators, sperm whales. Scientifically documented specimens have weighed hundreds, rather than thousands, of kilograms. For other uses, see Squid (disambiguation). ... Orders Subclass Nautiloidea †Plectronocerida †Ellesmerocerida †Actinocerida †Pseudorthocerida †Endocerida †Tarphycerida †Oncocerida †Discosorida Nautilida †Orthocerida †Ascocerida †Bactritida Subclass †Ammonoidea †Goniatitida †Ceratitida †Ammonitida Subclass Coleoidea †Belemnoidea †Aulacocerida †Belemnitida †Hematitida †Phragmoteuthida Neocoleoidea (most living cephalopods) ?†Boletzkyida Sepiida Sepiolida Spirulida Teuthida Octopoda Vampyromorphida The cephalopods (Greek plural (kephalópoda); head-foot) are the mollusc class... The mantle is an organ found in mollusks. ... Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 Sperm whale range (in blue) The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest of all toothed whales and is the largest toothed animal alive, with adult males measuring up to 20. ... Kg redirects here. ...

Tentacular club of Architeuthis

The inside surfaces of the arms and tentacles are lined with hundreds of sub-spherical suction cups, 2 to 5 centimetres (1 to 2 in) in diameter, each mounted on a stalk. The circumference of these suckers is lined with sharp, finely serrated rings of chitin. The perforation of these teeth and the suction of the cups serve to attach the squid to its prey. It is common to find circular scars from the suckers on or close to the head of sperm whales that have attacked giant squid. Each arm and tentacle is divided into three regions — carpus ("wrist"), manus ("hand") and dactylus ("finger") [1][2]. The carpus has a dense cluster of cups, in six or seven irregular, transverse rows. The manus is broader, close to the end of the arm, and has enlarged suckers in two medial rows. The dactylus is the tip. The bases of all the arms and tentacles are arranged in a circle surrounding the animal's single parrot-like beak, as in other cephalopods. Image File history File linksMetadata Giant_squid_tentacle_club. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Giant_squid_tentacle_club. ... Suction is the creation of a partial vacuum, or region of low pressure. ... A centimetre (American spelling centimeter, symbol cm) is a unit of length that is equal to one hundredth of a metre, the current SI base unit of length. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... DIAMETER is a computer networking protocol for AAA (Authentication, Authorization and Accounting). ... The circumference is the distance around a closed curve. ... Structure of the chitin molecule, showing two of the N-Acetylglucosamine units that repeat to form long chains in beta-1,4 linkage. ... This article is about Carpal bones. ... The manus (Latin for hand) is the zoological term for the distal portion of the fore limb of an animal. ... The dactylus is the tip region of the tentacular club of cephalopods and of the leg of some crustaceans (see arthropod leg#). In cephalopods, the dactylus is narrow and often characterized by the asymmetrical placement of suckers (ie, the ventral expansion of the club) and the absence of a dorsal... Systematics (but see below) Family Cacatuidae (cockatoos) Subfamily Microglossinae (Palm Cockatoo) Subfamily Calyptorhynchinae (dark cockatoos) Subfamily Cacatuinae (white cockatoos) Family Psittacidae (true parrots) Subfamily Loriinae (lories and lorikeets) Subfamily Psittacinae (typical parrots and allies) Tribe Arini (American psittacines) Tribe Cyclopsitticini (fig parrots) Tribe Micropsittini (pygmy parrots) Tribe Nestorini (kakas and...

A piece of sperm whale skin with giant squid sucker scars.

Giant squid have small fins at the rear of the mantle used for locomotion. Like other cephalopods, giant squid are propelled by jet — by pushing water through its mantle cavity through the funnel, in gentle, rhythmic pulses. They can also move quickly by expanding the cavity to fill it with water, then contracting muscles to jet water through the funnel. Giant squid breathe using two large gills inside the mantle cavity. The circulatory system is closed, which is a distinct characteristic of cephalopods. Like other squid, they contain dark ink used to deter predators. Download high resolution version (637x827, 487 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (637x827, 487 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 Sperm whale range (in blue) The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest of all toothed whales and is the largest toothed animal alive, with adult males measuring up to 20. ... A fin is a surface used to produce lift and thrust or to steer while traveling in water, air, or other fluid media. ... This article should be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... In aquatic organisms, gills are a respiratory organ for the extraction of oxygen from water and for the excretion of carbon dioxide. ...

Giant squid have a sophisticated nervous system and complex brain, attracting great interest from scientists. They also have the largest eyes of any living creature except perhaps colossal squid — over 30 centimeters (1 ft) in diameter. Large eyes can better detect light (including bioluminescent light), which is scarce in deep water. The nervous system is a highly specialized network whose principal components are nerves called neurons. ... For other uses, see Brain (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Eye (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Robson, 1925 The Colossal Squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), sometimes called the Antarctic or Giant Cranch Squid, is believed to be the largest squid species. ... DIAMETER is a computer networking protocol for AAA (Authentication, Authorization and Accounting). ...

Giant squid and some other large squid species maintain neutral buoyancy in seawater through an ammonium chloride solution which flows throughout their body and is lighter than seawater. This differs from the method of flotation used by fish, which involves a gas-filled swim bladder. The solution tastes somewhat like salmiakki and makes giant squid unattractive for general human consumption. In physics, buoyancy is the upward force on an object produced by the surrounding fluid (i. ... Annual mean sea surface salinity for the World Ocean. ... Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) (also Sal Ammoniac, salmiac, nushadir salt, zalmiak, sal armagnac, sal armoniac, salmiakki, salmiak and salt armoniack) is, in its pure form, a clear white water-soluble crystalline salt of ammonia with a biting, slightly sour taste. ... For other uses, see Gas (disambiguation). ... The gas bladder (also fish maw, less accurately swim bladder or air bladder) is an internal organ that contributes to the ability of a fish to control its buoyancy, and thus to stay at the current water depth, ascend, or descend without having to waste energy in swimming. ... Two German brands of salmiakki. ...

Like all cephalopods, giant squid have organs called statocysts to sense their orientation and motion in water. The age of a giant squid can be determined by "growth rings" in the statocyst's "statolith", similar to determining the age of a tree by counting its rings. Much of what is known about giant squid age is based on estimates of the growth rings and from undigested beaks found in the stomachs of sperm whales. Orders Subclass Nautiloidea †Plectronocerida †Ellesmerocerida †Actinocerida †Pseudorthocerida †Endocerida †Tarphycerida †Oncocerida †Discosorida Nautilida †Orthocerida †Ascocerida †Bactritida Subclass †Ammonoidea †Goniatitida †Ceratitida †Ammonitida Subclass Coleoidea †Belemnoidea †Aulacocerida †Belemnitida †Hematitida †Phragmoteuthida Neocoleoidea (most living cephalopods) ?†Boletzkyida Sepiida Sepiolida Spirulida Teuthida Octopoda Vampyromorphida The cephalopods (Greek plural (kephalópoda); head-foot) are the mollusc class... The statocyst is a balance organ present in some aquatic invertebrates (Cnidarians, Ctenophores, Bilaterians). ... The coniferous Coast Redwood, the tallest tree species on earth. ... In anatomy, the stomach is a bean-shaped hollow muscular organ of the gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication. ...

Size

See also: Cephalopod size

Giant squid measuring over 4 metres without its two long feeding tentacles.

The giant squid is the second largest mollusc and the second largest of all extant invertebrates. It is only exceeded in size by the Colossal Squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, which may have a mantle nearly twice as long. Several extinct cephalopods, such as the Cretaceous vampyromorphid Tusoteuthis and the Ordovician nautiloid Cameroceras may have grown even larger. The giant squid (Architeuthis sp. ... Download high resolution version (1280x408, 76 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Giant squid User:Chris 73/PublicDomain Gallery 004 Categories: Squid images | NASA images ... Download high resolution version (1280x408, 76 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Giant squid User:Chris 73/PublicDomain Gallery 004 Categories: Squid images | NASA images ... Classes Aplacophora † ?Bellerophontida Bivalvia Caudofoveata Cephalopoda Gastropoda † Helcionelloida Monoplacophora Polyplacophora † Rostroconchia Scaphopoda † Tentaculita The molluscs (British spelling) or mollusks (American spelling) are members of the very large and diverse phylum of invertebrate animals known as Mollusca. ... In biology, extant taxon is commonly used in discussions of living and fossil species. ... Invertebrate is an English word that describes any animal without a spinal column. ... Binomial name Robson, 1925 The Colossal Squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), sometimes called the Antarctic or Giant Cranch Squid, is believed to be the largest squid species. ... The mantle is an organ found in mollusks. ... // The Cretaceous Period (pronounced ) is one of the major divisions of the geologic timescale, reaching from the end of the Jurassic Period (i. ... Binomial name Vampyroteuthis infernalis Chun, 1903 The Vampire Squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis, lit. ... Binomial name Tusoteuthis longa Logan, 1898 Tusoteuthis is a genus of Cretaceous cephalopod molluscs. ... Artist impression of the Ordovician Sea. ... Orders Palcephalopoda †Plectronocerida †Ellesmerocerida †Actinocerida †Pseudorthocerida †Endocerida †Tarphycerida †Oncocerida †Discosorida Nautilida Neocephalopoda (in part) †Orthocerida †Ascocerida †Bactritida Nautiloids are a group of marine mollusks in the subclass Nautiloidea, which all possess an external shell, the best-known example being the modern nautiluses. ... Species Cameroceras (chambered horn) was a genus of giant orthocone cephalopods that lived in the Ordovician period. ...

Yet, giant squid size, particularly total length, has often been misreported and exaggerated. Reports of specimens reaching and even exceeding 18 m (59 ft) in length are widespread, but no animals approaching this size have been scientifically documented. According to giant squid expert Dr. Steve O'Shea, such lengths were likely achieved by greatly stretching the two tentacles like elastic bands.^[3] Steve OShea Is a Marine Biologist and Environmentalist and well-known for his research on Giant Squid. ...

Based on the examination of 105 specimens and of beaks found inside sperm whales, giant squid's mantles are not known to exceed 2.25 m (7.4 ft) in length.^[3] Including the head and arms, but excluding the tentacles, the length very rarely exceeds 5 m (16 ft).^[3] Maximum total length, when measured relaxed post mortem, is estimated at 13 m (43 ft) for females and 10 m (33 ft) for males from caudal fin to the tip of the two long tentacles.^[3] Giant squid exhibit reverse sexual dimorphism. Maximum weight is estimated at 275 kg (606 lb) for females and 150 kg (331 lb) for males.^[3] Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 Sperm whale range (in blue) The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest of all toothed whales and is the largest toothed animal alive, with adult males measuring up to 20. ... This article is about the medical procedure. ... Female (left) and male Common Pheasant, illustrating the dramatic difference in both color and size, between the sexes Sexual dimorphism is the systematic difference in form between individuals of different sex in the same species. ... Look up pound in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Reproductive cycle

Little is known about the reproductive cycle of giant squid. It is thought that they reach sexual maturity at about 3 years; males reach sexual maturity at a smaller size than females. Females produce large quantities of eggs, sometimes more than 5 kg, that average 0.5-1.4 mm long and 0.3-0.7 mm wide. Females have a single median ovary in the rear end of the mantle cavity and paired convoluted oviducts where mature eggs pass exiting through the oviducal glands, then through the nidamental glands. As in other squid, these glands produce a gelatinous material used to keep the eggs together once they are laid. The reproduction of many organisms follows a cyclical pattern, known as the reproductive cycle, which regulates the conception and birth of offspring. ... In most birds and reptiles, an egg (Latin ovum) is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum. ... // For ovary as part of plants see ovary (plants) An ovary is an egg-producing reproductive organ found in female organisms. ... In oviparous animals (those that lay eggs), the passage from the ovaries to the outside of the body is known as the oviduct. ... Ventral view of the viscera of Chtenopteryx sicula, showing the presence of the nidamental gland and accessory nidamental gland. ...

In males, as with most other cephalopods, the single, posterior testis produces sperm that move into a complex system of glands that manufacture the spermatophores. These are stored in the elongate sac, or Needham's sac, that terminates in the penis from which they are expelled during mating. The penis is prehensile, over 90 centimeters long, and extends from inside the mantle. Human male anatomy The testicles, known medically as testes (singular testis), are the male generative glands in animals. ... A spermatophore is a capsule or mass created by males of various invertebrate species, containing spermatozoa and transferred in entirety to the female during sex. ... The penis (plural penises, penes) is an external male sexual organ. ... Prehensility is the quality of an organ that has adapted for grasping or holding. ... A centimetre (American spelling centimeter, symbol cm) is a unit of length that is equal to one hundredth of a metre, the current SI base unit of length. ...

How the sperm is transferred to the egg mass is much debated, as giant squid lack the hectocotylus used for reproduction in many other cephalopods. It may be transferred in sacs of spermatophores, called spermatangia, which the male injects into the female's arms. This is suggested by a female specimen recently found in Tasmania, having a small subsidiary tendril attached to the base of each arm. A hectocotylus is one of the arms of the male of most kinds of cephalopods that is modified in various ways to effect the fertilization of the females eggs. ... Orders Subclass Nautiloidea †Plectronocerida †Ellesmerocerida †Actinocerida †Pseudorthocerida †Endocerida †Tarphycerida †Oncocerida †Discosorida Nautilida †Orthocerida †Ascocerida †Bactritida Subclass †Ammonoidea †Goniatitida †Ceratitida †Ammonitida Subclass Coleoidea †Belemnoidea †Aulacocerida †Belemnitida †Hematitida †Phragmoteuthida Neocoleoidea (most living cephalopods) ?†Boletzkyida Sepiida Sepiolida Spirulida Teuthida Octopoda Vampyromorphida The cephalopods (Greek plural (kephalópoda); head-foot) are the mollusc class... Slogan or Nickname: Island of Inspiration; The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Motto(s): Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Constitutional monarchy Governor William Cox Premier Paul Lennon (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 5  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product... In botany, a tendril is a specialized stem, leaf or petiole with a threadlike shape that is used by climbing plants for support and attachment, generally by twining around whatever it touches. ...

Post-larval juveniles have been discovered in surface waters off New Zealand, and there are plans to capture more and maintain them in an aquarium to learn more about the creature. A larval insect A larva (Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). ... “Aquaria” redirects here. ...

Ecology

Feeding

The fabled underwater encounter between the sperm whale and giant squid, from a diorama at the American Museum of Natural History.

Recent studies show that giant squid feed on deep-sea fish and other squid species. They catch prey using the two tentacles, gripping it with serrated sucker rings on the ends. Then they bring it toward the powerful beak, and shred it with the radula (tongue with small, file-like teeth) before it reaches the esophagus. They are believed to be solitary hunters, as only individual giant squid have been caught in fishing nets. Fish such as the Hoki are among the giant squid's diet.^[4] Image File history File links Amnh_fg06. ... Image File history File links Amnh_fg06. ... A diorama is any of the two display devices mentioned below. ... Main Lobby in the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial. ... Transverse view of the buccal cavity with the radula Radula types chart. ... The esophagus or oesophagus (see American and British English spelling differences), sometimes known as the gullet, is an organ in vertebrates which consists of a muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach. ... Binomial name Macruronus novaezelandiae (Hector, 1871) The blue grenadier, hoki, blue hake, New Zealand whiptail, whiptail or whiptail hake (Macruronus novaezelandiae), is a merluccid hake of the genus Macruronus, found around southern Australia, and New Zealand, at depths of between 10 and 1,000 metres. ...

Adult giant squids' only known predators are sperm whales and possibly Pacific sleeper sharks, found off Antarctica, but it is unknown whether these sharks hunt squid, or just scavenge squid carcasses. Juveniles are preyed on by deep sea sharks and fishes. Because sperm whales are skilled at locating giant squid, scientists have tried to observe them to study the squid. Binomial name Somniosus pacificus Bigelow & Schroeder, 1944 The Pacific sleeper shark, Somniosus pacificus, is a sleeper shark of the family Dalatiidae, found circumglobally on continental shelves and slopes in temperate waters between latitudes 70° N and 47° S, from the surface to 2,000 m. ... Harvestman eating the tail of a five-lined skink The word scavenger, in zoology, refers to animals that consume already dead organic life-forms. ... For other uses, see Shark (disambiguation). ...

Range and habitat

Worldwide giant squid distribution based on recovered specimens.

Giant squid are very widespread, occurring in all of the world's oceans. They are usually found near continental and island slopes from the North Atlantic Ocean, especially Newfoundland, Norway, the northern British Isles, and the oceanic islands of the Azores and Madeira, to the South Atlantic around southern Africa, the North Pacific around Japan, and the southwestern Pacific around New Zealand and Australia. Specimens are rare in tropical and polar latitudes. Image File history File links Architeuthis_distribution. ... Image File history File links Architeuthis_distribution. ... Newfoundland —   IPA: [nuw fÉ™n lænd] (French: , Irish: ) is a large island off the east coast of North America, and the most populous part of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. ... This article explains the archipelago in north-western Europe. ... Motto (Portuguese for Rather die free than in peace subjugated) Anthem  (national)  (local) Capital Ponta Delgada1 Angra do Heroísmo2 Horta3 Largest city Ponta Delgada Official languages Portuguese Government Autonomous region  -  President Carlos César Establishment  -  Settled 1439   -  Autonomy 1976  Area  -  Total 2,333 km² (n/a) 911 sq mi... For other uses, see Madeira (disambiguation). ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ...

Species

The taxonomy of the giant squid, as with many cephalopod genera, has not been resolved. Lumpers and splitters may propose as many as eight species or as few as one. The broadest list is: Lumping and splitting refers to a well known problem in any discipline which has to place individual examples into rigorously defined categories. ...

• Architeuthis dux, "Atlantic Giant Squid"
• Architeuthis hartingii
• Architeuthis japonica
• Architeuthis kirkii
• Architeuthis martensi, "North Pacific Giant Squid"
• Architeuthis physeteris
• Architeuthis sanctipauli, "Southern Giant Squid"
• Architeuthis stockii

Architeuthis sanctipauli was described in 1877 based on a specimen found washed ashore in Île Saint-Paul three years earlier.

It is probable that not all of these are distinct species. No genetic or physical basis for distinguishing between them has been proposed, as evidenced by the placenames — of location of specimen capture — used to describe several of them. The rarity of observations of specimens and the extreme difficulty of observing them alive, tracking their movements, or studying their mating habits militates against a complete understanding. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (491x633, 333 KB)Giant squid that washed ashore on St. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (491x633, 333 KB)Giant squid that washed ashore on St. ... Map of St. ...

In the 1984 FAO Species Catalogue of the Cephalopods of the World, C.F.E. Roper, M.J. Sweeney and C.F. Nauen wrote:

"Many species have been named in the sole genus of the family Architeuthidae, but they are so inadequately described and poorly understood that the systematics of the group is thoroughly confused."

Kir Nazimovich Nesis (1982, 1987) considered that only three species were likely to be valid.

In 1991, Frederick Aldrich of the Memorial University of Newfoundland wrote: Frederick Aldrich in his laboratory at Memorial University with one of the 15 giant squid specimens he examined. ... Memorial University of Newfoundland, (popularly known as Memorial University or MUN) is a comprehensive university located primarily in St. ...

"I reject the concept of 20 separate species, and until that issue is resolved, I choose to place them all in synonymy with Architeuthis dux Steenstrup."

In a letter to Richard Ellis dated June 18, 1996, Martina Roeleveld of the South African Museum wrote: Richard Ellis is a marine biologist. ...

"So far, I have seen nothing to suggest that there might be more than one species of Architeuthis."

In Cephalopods: A World Guide (2000), Mark Norman writes the following: Mark Norman is a marine biologist living in southern Australia where he works through the University of Melbourne and Museum Victoria. ...

"The number of species of giant squid is not known although the general consensus amongst researchers is that there are at least three species, one in the Atlantic Ocean (Architeuthis dux), one in the Southern Ocean (A. sanctipauli) and at least one in the northern Pacific Ocean (A. martensi)."

Timeline

Main article: List of giant squid specimens and sightings

Tales of giant squid have been common among mariners since ancient times, and may have led to the Norwegian legend of the kraken, a tentacled sea monster as large as an island capable of engulfing and sinking any ship. Japetus Steenstrup, the describer of Architeuthis, suggested a giant squid was the species described as a sea monk to the Danish king Christian III c.1550. The Lusca of the Caribbean and Scylla in Greek mythology may also derive from giant squid sightings. Eyewitness accounts of other sea monsters like the sea serpent are also thought to be mistaken interpretations of giant squid. Giant squid, Architeuthis sp. ... For other uses, see Kraken (disambiguation). ... For the television series about extinct sea animals, see Sea Monsters. ... Japetus Steenstrup (1813 - 1897) was a Danish zoologist and biologist. ... Illustration from The Book of Days, published in 1869 The sea monk, or sometimes monk-fish, was a sea monster found off the coast of Denmark almost certainly in 1546 (Paxton & Holland 2005). ... Christian III Christian III (August 12, 1503–January 1, 1559), king of Denmark and Norway, was the son of Frederick I of Denmark and his first consort, Anne of Brandenburg. ... Carcass that washed ashore in St. ... West Indies redirects here. ... Three of Scyllas heads as portrayed in The Odyssey (1997) TV miniseries; the film depicts each head striking with snake-like speed and accuracy and devouring men whole. ... The bust of Zeus found at Otricoli (Sala Rotonda, Museo Pio-Clementino, Vatican) Greek mythology is the body of stories belonging to the Ancient Greeks concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. ... This article is about sea serpents in mythology and cryptozoology. ...

The Alecton attempts to capture a giant squid in 1861

Steenstrup wrote a number of papers on giant squid in the 1850s. He first used the term "Architeuthus" (this was the spelling he used) in a paper in 1857. A portion of a giant squid was secured by the French gunboat Alecton in 1861 leading to wider recognition of the genus in the scientific community. From 1870 to 1880, many squid were stranded on the shores of Newfoundland. For example, a specimen washed ashore in Thimble Tickle Bay, Newfoundland on November 2, 1878; its mantle was reported to be 6.1 metres (20 ft) long, with one tentacle 10.7 metres (35 ft) long, and it was estimated as weighing 2.2 tonnes. In 1873, a squid "attacked" a minister and a young boy in a dory in Bell Island, Newfoundland. Many strandings also occurred in New Zealand during the late 19th century. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (640x987, 674 KB)Alecton attempts to capture giant squid, 1861 This image is in the public domain in the United States. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (640x987, 674 KB)Alecton attempts to capture giant squid, 1861 This image is in the public domain in the United States. ... Thimble Tickle Bay is a bay on the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. ... is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... A wooden dory used for cod fishing from the Gazela A dory is a small, shallow-draft boat of approximately 5 to 7 m (15 to 22 ft) in length. ... Bell Island, Newfoundland Bell Island is an island located off Newfoundlands Avalon Peninsula in Conception Bay. ...

Giant squid from Logy Bay, Newfoundland in Reverend Moses Harvey's bathtub, November/December, 1873

Although strandings continue to occur sporadically throughout the world, none have been as frequent as those at Newfoundland and New Zealand in the 19th century. It is not known why giant squid become stranded on shore, but it may be because the distribution of deep, cold water where squid live is temporarily altered. Many scientists who have studied squid mass strandings believe that they are cyclical and predictable. The length of time between strandings is not known, but was proposed to be 90 years by Architeuthis specialist Frederick Aldrich. Aldrich used this value to correctly predict a relatively small stranding that occurred between 1964 and 1966. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (421x645, 273 KB)Giant squid from Logy Bay, Newfoundland in bathtub, November/December, 1873. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (421x645, 273 KB)Giant squid from Logy Bay, Newfoundland in bathtub, November/December, 1873. ... Moses Harvey LL.D. (March 21, 1820 – September 3, 1901) clergyman, essayist and naturalist born Armagh, Northern Ireland and died in St. ... Frederick Aldrich in his laboratory at Memorial University with one of the 15 giant squid specimens he examined. ...

The search for a live Architeuthis specimen includes attempts to find live young, including larvae. The larvae closely resemble those of Nototodarus and Moroteuthis, but are distinguished by the shape of the mantle attachment to the head, the tentacle suckers, and the beaks. Species Moroteuthis ingens Moroteuthis knipovitchi Moroteuthis lonnbergii Moroteuthis robsoni Moroteuthis robusta Moroteuthis is a genus of squids in the family Onychoteuthidae. ...

The first footage of live larval giant squid ever captured on film was in 2001. The footage was shown on Chasing Giants: On the Trail of the Giant Squid on the Discovery Channel.^[5] Discovery Channel is a cable and satellite TV channel founded by John Hendricks which is distributed by Discovery Communications. ...

As of 2004, almost 600 giant squid specimens had been reported.^[6] 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The first photographs of a live giant squid in its natural habitat were taken on September 30, 2004, by Tsunemi Kubodera (National Science Museum of Japan) and Kyoichi Mori (Ogasawara Whale Watching Association). Their teams had worked together for nearly two years to accomplish this. They used a five-ton fishing boat and only two crew members. The images were created on their third trip to a known sperm whale hunting ground 970 kilometers (600 mi) south of Tokyo, where they had dropped a 900 metre (2953 ft) line baited with squid and shrimp. The line also held a camera and a flash. After over 20 tries that day, an 8 meter (26 ft) giant squid attacked the lure and snagged its tentacle. The camera took over 500 photos before the squid managed to break free after four hours. The squid's 5.5 metre (18 ft) tentacle remained attached to the lure. Later DNA tests confirmed the animal as a giant squid. is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Tsunemi Kubodera is a Japanese zoologist with the National Science Museum of Japan. ... Steam locomotive in front of the National Science Museum. ... Kyoichi Mori is a Japanese whale watcher who assisted Tsunemi Kubodera in discovering the giant squid. ... The Ogasawara Whale Watching Association is an association that regulates whale watching in the Ogasawara Islands. ... Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 Sperm whale range (in blue) The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest of all toothed whales and is the largest toothed animal alive, with adult males measuring up to 20. ... For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ... Tentacles can refer to the elongated flexible organs that are present in some animals, especially invertebrates, and sometimes to the hairs of the leaves of some insectivorous plants. ... The structure of part of a DNA double helix Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is a nucleic acid molecule that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms. ...

On September 27, 2005, Kubodera and Mori released the photographs to the world. The photo sequence, taken at a depth of 900 meters (2953 ft) off Japan's Ogasawara Islands, shows the squid homing in on the baited line and enveloping it in "a ball of tentacles." The researchers were able to locate the likely general location of giant squid by closely tailing the movements of sperm whales. According to Kubodera, "we knew that they fed on the squid, and we knew when and how deep they dived, so we used them to lead us to the squid." Kubodera and Mori reported their observations in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society. is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A map of the Ogasawara Islands south of Japan The Ogasawara Islands (小笠原諸島) are an archipelago of over 30 subtropical islands some 1,000 km directly south of central Tokyo, Japan. ... For other uses, see Royal Society (disambiguation). ...

One of the series of images of a live giant squid taken by Kubodera and Mori in 2004.

Among other things, the observations demonstrate actual hunting behaviors of adult Architeuthis, a subject on which there had been much speculation. The photographs showed an aggressive hunting pattern by the baited squid, leading to it impaling a tentacle on the bait ball's hooks. This may disprove the theory that the giant squid is a drifter which eats whatever floats by, rarely moving so as to conserve energy. It seems that the species has a much more belligerent feeding technique. Image File history File links Giantsquidphoto2. ... Image File history File links Giantsquidphoto2. ...

In December 2005, the Melbourne Aquarium in Australia paid AUD$100,000 (around £47,000GBP or $90,000US) for the intact body of a giant squid, preserved in a giant block of ice, which had been caught by fishermen off the coast of New Zealand's South Island that year.^[7] Melbourne Aquarium Pumps and filters at Melbourne Aquarium Melbourne Aquarium is an aquarium in central Melbourne, founded in 1999. ... Au. ... This article is about water ice. ... The South Island The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. ...

Still image from the first video of a live adult giant squid, filmed on December 4, 2006 by researchers from the National Science Museum of Japan led by Tsunemi Kubodera.

In early 2006, another giant squid, later named "Archie", was caught off the coast of the Falkland Islands by a trawler. It was 8.62 metres (28 ft) long and was sent to the Natural History Museum in London to be studied and preserved. It was put on display on March 1, 2006 at the Darwin Centre.^[8][9] The find of such a large, complete specimen is very rare, as most specimens are in a poor condition, having washed up dead on beaches or been retrieved from the stomach of dead sperm whales. Image File history File links Live_giant_squid_video_December_4_2006. ... Image File history File links Live_giant_squid_video_December_4_2006. ... For other similarly-named museums see Museum of Natural History. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other similarly-named museums see Museum of Natural History. ...

Researchers undertook a painstaking process to preserve the body. It was transported to England on ice aboard the trawler; then it was defrosted, which took about four days. The major difficulty was that thawing the thick mantle took much longer than the tentacles. To prevent the tentacles from rotting, scientists covered them in ice packs, and bathed the mantle in water. Then they injected the squid with a formol-saline solution to prevent rotting. The creature is now on show in a 9 metres (30 ft) long glass tank at the Darwin Centre of the Natural History Museum. The aviation term ROT stands for rate one turn. ... For other similarly-named museums see Museum of Natural History. ...

On December 4, 2006, an adult giant squid was finally caught on video by Kubodera near the Ogasawara Islands, 1,000 km (620 mi) south of Tokyo. It was a small female about 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) long and weighing 50 kg (110 lb). It was pulled aboard the research vessel but died in the process.^[10] is the 338th day of the year (339th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A map of the Ogasawara Islands south of Japan The Ogasawara Islands (小笠原諸島) are an archipelago of over 30 subtropical islands some 1,000 km directly south of central Tokyo, Japan. ... A mile is any of several units of distance, or, in physics terminology, of length. ... For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ...

Cultural depictions

An illustration from the original edition of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea depicting a giant squid.

Main articles: Giant squid in culture and Kraken in popular culture

The elusive nature of the giant squid and its terrifying appearance have firmly established its place in the human imagination. Representations of the giant squid have been known from early legends of the Kraken through books such as Moby-Dick and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea to modern animated television programs. Download high resolution version (492x708, 126 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (492x708, 126 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (French: ) is a classic science fiction novel by French writer Jules Verne, published in 1870. ... Giant squid sculpture in Seattle, USA The Giant squids elusive nature and fearsome appearance have long made it a popular subject of legends and folk tales. ... An illustration from the original edition of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. ... For other uses, see Kraken (disambiguation). ... Moby-Dick book cover Moby-Dick - the official title of the first edition - is a novel by Herman Melville. ... Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (French: ) is a classic science fiction novel by French writer Jules Verne, published in 1870. ...

In particular, the image of a giant squid locked in battle with a sperm whale is a common one, although the squid is, in fact, the whale's prey and not an equal combatant. Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 Sperm whale range (in blue) The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest of all toothed whales and is the largest toothed animal alive, with adult males measuring up to 20. ...

See also

• Cephalopod size
• Deep-sea gigantism
• Humboldt Squid
• Colossal Squid
• Tusoteuthis
• List of giant squid specimens and sightings
• Mythical gigantic cephalopods:
  • Kraken
  • Lusca
  • Cthulhu, an alien creature with a cephalopod like appearance from the H. P. Lovecraft story The Call of Cthulhu.
  • Watcher in the Water, a colossal squid-like being in J.R.R Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring.
• Gigantic octopus

The giant squid (Architeuthis sp. ... A Giant isopod (Bathynomus giganteus) In zoology, deep-sea gigantism, also known as abyssal gigantism, is the tendency for species of crustaceans, invertebrates and other deep-sea dwelling animals to display a larger size than their shallow-water counterparts. ... Binomial name (Orbigny, 1835) Synonyms Ommastrephes gigas Orbigny, 1835 Ommastrephes giganteus Gray, 1849 Dosidicus eschrichti Steenstrup, 1857 Dosidicus steenstrupi Pfeffer, 1884 The Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus gigas), also known as Jumbo Squid, Jumbo Flying Squid, or Diablo Rojo (Red Devil), is a large, aggressive predatory squid found in the waters of... Binomial name Robson, 1925 The Colossal Squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), sometimes called the Antarctic or Giant Cranch Squid, is believed to be the largest squid species. ... Binomial name Tusoteuthis longa Logan, 1898 Tusoteuthis is a genus of Cretaceous cephalopod molluscs. ... Giant squid, Architeuthis sp. ... For other uses, see Kraken (disambiguation). ... Carcass that washed ashore in St. ... For other uses, see Cthulhu (disambiguation). ... This article is about the author. ... Cthulhu with the insane city Rlyeh in the background. ... The Watcher in the Water in J.R.R. Tolkiens universe of Middle-earth is a mysterious and horrific beast that lurked in a lake caused by the damming of the Sirannon river, beneath the western walls of Moria. ... J. R. R. Tolkien in 1916. ... The Fellowship of the Ring is the first of three volumes of the epic novel The Lord of the Rings by the English author J. R. R. Tolkien. ... Pen and wash drawing by malacologist, Pierre Denys de Montfort, 1801 from the descriptions of French sailors reportedly attacked by such a creature off the coast of Angola. ...

References

• Ellis, R. 1998. The Search for the Giant Squid. Lyons Press (London).
• National Geographic Video: "Sea Monsters"
• Aldrich, F.A. & E.L. Brown 1967. The Giant Squid in Newfoundland. The Newfoundland Quarterly. Vol. LXV No. 3. p. 4–8.
• New giant squid predator found. Retrieved on October 6, 2005.
• Holroyd, J. New squid on the (ice) block, The Age, 21 December 2005.
• Grann, D. The Squid Hunter. New Yorker, May 24, 2004.
• Foxnews.com: New giant squid predator found. Retrieved on December 22, 2006.
• BBC.co.uk: New giant squid predator found.

“PDF” redirects here. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... “PDF” redirects here. ... MiB redirects here. ... Richard Ellis is a marine biologist. ... The National Geographic Society was founded in the USA on January 27, 1888, by 33 men interested in organizing a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge. ... is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Fox News Channel (FNC) is an American cable and satellite news channel. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The domain name bbc. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Architeuthis

Wikispecies has information related to:

Architeuthis

• CephBase: Architeuthis
• Tree of Life Web Project: Architeuthis
• [3] - Video of a giant squid
• BBC News Report
• Holy Squid! Photos Offer First Glimpse of Live Deep-Sea Giant
• TONMO.com's fact sheet for giant and colossal squids
• TONMO.com's giant squid reproduction article
• Reuters: Video of Giant Squid
• Encounters with Giant Squid
• 15 January, 2003, Giant squid 'attacks French boat'
• Cephalopod taxonomy (as PDF)
• Scientific report in Proceedings of the Royal Society
• In Search of Giant Squid - Smithsonian Institution Exhibition
• New Zealand - 1999 Expedition Journals In Search of Giant Squid