In a groundbreaking discovery, National Geographic has revealed that an elusive deep-sea squid species has been observed alive for the first time in Antarctica.
Researchers captured images of the gonate squid (Gonatus Antalctix) as it glided through the dark waters of the ocean’s midnight zone, located 7,060 feet (2,152 meters) beneath the surface, on December 25, 2024.
As initially reported by National Geographic, the researchers identified a 3-foot-long squid using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that was launched from R/V Falcol (TO), a research ship from the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Dr. Kat Bolstad, director of Cephalopod Ecology and Systematics at Auckland Institute of Technology in New Zealand, confirmed the species was indeed the Antarctic gonate squid.
“To the best of my knowledge, this is the first live footage of this species ever recorded globally,” Bolstad remarked to National Geographic.
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Scientists have been aware of the Antarctic gonate squid for over a century; however, until now, they had only studied deceased specimens retrieved from fishing nets or identified through beaks found in the stomachs of other marine creatures. This marks the first observation of the squid in its natural living environment.
The squid was found in the midnight zone, located between 3,300-13,100 feet (1,000-4,000 m) beneath the ocean’s surface. In this area, where sunlight cannot penetrate, the only illumination comes from bioluminescent creatures, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
As the ROV approached, the squid released a cloud of greenish ink, visibly startled by the large bright vehicle in its habitat. Researchers managed to follow the squid for several minutes before measuring its size with the ROV’s laser, after which the squid disappeared into the darkness, as reported by National Geographic.
While the researchers could not determine the squid’s gender or age, Bolstad validated its identity as an Antarctic gonate squid based on the presence of a single large hook on the ends of two long tentacles.
“These impressive tentacle hooks are likely utilized for grabbing and subduing prey during ambush feeding,” explained Alex Hayward, a senior lecturer in ecology and conservation at the University of Exeter in the UK, who was not part of the expedition.
Source: www.livescience.com