Giant Squid Architeuthis Research Articles

First recorded specimen of the giant squid Architeuthis sp. in Portugal

The first occurrence of a giant squid Architeuthis sp. specimen in Portuguese waters is noted and another reference set of biological and biometrical data provided which may in future be used in conjunction with others to further elucidate important aspects of the identity, biology and ecology of the species. The fact that the specimen is a male is relevant, since males have been much less frequent in the reports in the scientific literature than have females. Additionally, this is the most southerly report of a male known to have occurred in the Atlantic Ocean.

Reproductive system of the giant squid Architeuthis in South African waters

AbstractThe reproductive system is described from 15 giant squid Architeuthis sp., collected between 1972 and 2002 in South African waters. Distinctive features of the male reproductive system are the long muscular terminal organ, with elaboration of the anterior end, and modification of the tips of the ventral arms, probably hectocotilization. The spermatophoric organ has a long finishing gland that extends from the base of the gill. The terminal organ is differentiated internally into three distinct parts, involved in the guidance, storage, protection, expulsion and possibly the coating of spermatophores. Length of spermatophores in the terminal organ varied considerably. Several stages of spermatophores were found, from tentative to false to fully formed spermatophores, within a single animal. Distinctive features of the female reproductive system are a mesentery surrounding the main blood vessels of the ovary and attaching the ovary to the dorsal gladius chamber, multiple branching (at least three times) of the genital aorta that supplies the developing oocytes, high potential fecundity (3.5–6.2 ± 106 oocytes), small eggs and short oviducts that suggest intermittent (extended) spawning. Large concentrations and single spermatangia were found in various places in females, indicating non‐specific deposition. The transfer of spermatophores is probably rapid, perhaps because of considerable sexual size dimorphism (at maturity, males are much smaller than females). Implants in males are probably self‐induced since the majority were found within reach of the terminal organ opening (primarily on the ventral arms in males).

Giant squid beaks: implications for systematics

The systematic position of the giant squid Architeuthis remains unresolved but comparison of beak morphometrics is an approach that has not been attempted before. Additional data for the relationship between mantle length (ML) and lower beak rostral length (LRL) suggest that Architeuthis sp. in the North Atlantic, South Africa and New Zealand are parts of the same asymptotic relationship. Comparison of beak dimensions of Architeuthis from the North Atlantic, South Africa and New Zealand with those of two distinct species of Todarodes, from the Mediterranean and southern Africa, indicate that there may be only one species of Architeuthis in these three regions. No consistent morphological evidence has yet been found to indicate more than one species of Architeuthis in the Atlantic or in the southern hemisphere.

Description of an Architeuthis from Argentine waters

A specimen of the giant squid Architeuthis sp., caught by a trawler on the Patagonian inner shelf (46°30′S–66°00′W) in April 1995, is described. The squid was a mature female of 1 625 mm mantle length with 321 growth lines in the statoliths. Internal and external anatomy and morphometric characters were studied as far as possible, given the very damaged condition of the animal.

Observations on Morphology, Age and Diet of Three Architeuthis Caught Off the West Coast of Ireland in 1995

Three specimens of the giant squid Architeuthis were by-caught in demersal trawls to the west of Ireland, between April and June 1995. All three specimens were mature males, of mantle length 975–1084 mm. Although some intraspecific variation in fin, beak and gill were noticed, all three specimens were tentatively assigned to the species A. dux. The three specimens had food remains in their stomachs and food items identified included Micromesistius poutassou, Trachurus trachurus, Nephrops norvegicus and Eledone cirrhosa. Age estimates were made by counting putative daily growth increments in ground statoliths, and ranged from 294–122 d, giving percentage daily growth rates of 2·96–4·25% indicating a short life cycle and extremely rapid growth.

Morphology of giant squid Architeuthis statoliths

Statolith morphology of the giant squid Architeuthis sp. from southern African waters is illustrated. The most characteristic features are identified, particularly the wing shape and position, which are described for the first time.

New Records of Cephalopods Caught in Irish and Scottish Waters

Records of unusual cephalopods, taken as by-catch in Irish and Scottish waters in the years 1985–1995, are presented. Of most interest are three specimens of giant squid (Architeuthis) that were caught in bottom trawls off the west of Ireland between April and June 1995, all were mature males of mantle length ∼1000 mm. Other records include a large mature female Histioteuthis bonnellii from the west of Ireland and three specimens of the gelatinous incirrate octopus, Haliphron atlanticus.

Giant squid (Architeuthis) abundant in 1875 at the Grand Banks

<i>Giant squid</i> (Architeuthis) <i>abundant in</i> 1875 <i>at the Grand Banks</i>