EbeneMagazine – EN – Elusive squid seen alive in its natural...

Scientists have captured rare images of a small squid swimming near the Great Barrier Reef; the squid is the only living member of its genus and has never before been observed alive and in its natural habitat

“The researchers were all surprised to see this squid because it looked nothing like what we had seen before,” said Valerie Cornet, a master’s student at James Cook University in Australia who is currently conducting research with the Schmidt Ocean Institute, email The ram’s horn squid (Spirula spirula) swims with its body in an unusual upright position with its arms and tentacles pointed upward; at the bottom end of the squid, two ear-shaped fins wave in the water to keep the animal afloat.In the pictures, the squid can also be seen zooming in the water column while still standing perfectly vertical

Researchers at the Schmidt Ocean Institute spotted the squid using a remote controlled vehicle (ROV) – an underwater machine that can be controlled from the ocean surface – while mapping the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef of Coral off Cape York in Australia. The ROV sailed to a depth of about 842 meters (2,760 feet), the team saw a small cylindrical creature appear on their video feed

The voices of the researchers can be heard in the background of the video, making observations of the animal as it maneuvered the ROV closer:

“… a little timid! One added, as the squid slipped into the water and out of the frame

“The squid stopped as we got closer to get a better view, but then we started to swim quickly,” said Cornet “We continued to follow him for a few minutes to study and comment on his unique shape and staring eyes. “

The team later identified the cephalopod as a ram’s horn squid, named after a coiled shell that sits inside the rounded end of its elongated body.The reddish-brown squid is typically less than 2 feet tall. inches (35-45 millimeters) in length, and at rest it floats vertically with its arms pointed upward and the mantle – the main body of the squid which contains the shell and internal organs – pointed downward The light shell is supposed to give buoyancy to the squid

Squid also emits light from a bioluminescent organ at the end of the mantle; it can help the squid avoid predators by minimizing the appearance of its figure from above, Cornet said

“This is particularly interesting as it is rare to see this squid alive, but we often find its open shell washed up on beaches,” said Cornet. “This is the first time you have filmed the squid with its position” at the “characteristic” upside, she added.

S spirula is the only living member of the genus Spirula, the family Spirulidae and the order Spirulida, as all other known members of these evolutionary groups have died, the Schmidt Ocean Institute wrote in a tweeter announcing the discovery.

Specimens of S. spirula have been found up to 1700 m underwater, and scientists believe squid lay their eggs at this depth and eggshells withstand more than 1100 pounds (05 metric tons) of pressure. of water above, she added.But because squid has not been studied living in the wild, little is known about its distribution or behavior, Cornet said

For example, “the social structure of this species is currently unknown,” Cornet said. “It was previously thought to be a type of school squid, but having discovered it on its own, it may be not be the case

In addition to spotting the elusive squid, the researchers discovered a number of undescribed species of corals, sponges and jellies while mapping the Great Barrier Reef, in addition, they also found a reef of never seen before coral, taller than Empire State Construction Samples and images collected during this successful expedition will keep researchers busy for years to come, Cornet said

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Coral Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Reef