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Researchers documented the initial verified sighting of a living Gonatus antarcticus as a component of the National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet venture.(Image credit: Photo and video by ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute)ShareShare by:
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National Geographic has declared that a reclusive species of deep-sea squid has been spotted in its living form for the first occasion off the coast of Antarctica.
On December 25, 2024, researchers captured on film the Antarctic gonate squid (Gonatus antarcticus) as it floated through the inky depths of the ocean’s twilight zone, at a depth of 7,060 feet (2,152 meters).
As initially conveyed by National Geographic, investigators discovered the 3-foot-long (0.9 m) blood-red organism utilizing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), which had been launched from the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s exploration vessel, the R/V Falkor (too). The footage was then dispatched to Kat Bolstad, leader of the Lab for Cephalopod Ecology and Systematics at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, who verified that it was indeed an Antarctic gonate squid.
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“To the best of my knowledge, this represents the premier instance of capturing live footage of this creature on a global scale,” Bolstad informed National Geographic.
The existence of the Antarctic gonate squid has been acknowledged by scientists for over a century; however, until now, they have solely examined deceased specimens retrieved from fishing nets, or mandibles preserved within the digestive tracts of other fauna. This marks the original occasion when scientists have directly observed the squid while it is alive and within its indigenous environment.
The marine animal was situated in the bathypelagic or midnight zone, extending from 3,300 to 13,100 feet (1,000 to 4,000 m) beneath the sea surface. As per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), sunlight cannot penetrate to such depths, thus the midnight zone is solely illuminated by creatures possessing the capability to produce their own luminescence through bioluminescence.
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Upon the ROV’s approach, the squid emitted a plume of greenish ink, conceivably taken aback by the manifestation of a substantial, radiant vehicle within its habitat. The researchers trailed the organism for a brief duration, employing the ROV’s lasers to ascertain its dimensions, before the squid darted off into the obscurity, National Geographic conveyed.
Although the researchers were unable to ascertain the animal’s gender or age, Bolstad verified its classification as an Antarctic gonate squid through observation of a distinctive, sizable hook situated on the distal ends of its two extended tentacles.
“These noteworthy tentacle hooks are likely instrumental in securing and overwhelming prey during ambush predation,” Alex Hayward, a senior lecturer specializing in ecology and conservation at the University of Exeter in England, who had no involvement in the expedition, communicated to National Geographic.
Patrick PesterSocial Links NavigationTrending News Writer
Patrick Pester serves as the trending news scribe at Live Science. His contributions have featured on alternative science platforms, including BBC Science Focus and Scientific American. Patrick transitioned into journalism following an early professional stint in zoos and wildlife preservation. He secured the Master’s Excellence Scholarship for studies at Cardiff University, culminating in a master’s degree in international journalism. Furthermore, he holds a secondary master’s degree in biodiversity, evolution, and conservation in action from Middlesex University London. Beyond his journalistic pursuits, Patrick delves into the trade of human remains.
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