Dana Octopus Squid

Dana Octopus Squid
Dana Octopus Squid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Teuthida
Family: Octopoteuthidae
Genus: Taningia
Species: T. danae
Binomial name
Taningia danae
Joubin, 1931
Synonyms
  • Cucioteuthis unguiculatus
    Joubin, 1898
  • Cucioteuthis unguiculatus
    Clarke, 1956
  • Cucioteuthis unguiculata
    Rees & Maul, 1956
  • Cucioteuthis unguiculata
    Clarke, 1962
  • Enoploteuthis cookii
    Owen, 1881

The Dana Octopus Squid (Taningia danae) is a species of squid in the family Octopoteuthidae. It is one of the largest known squid species, reaching a mantle length of 1.7 m (5.6 ft)[1] and total length of 2.3 m (7.5 ft).[2] The largest known specimen, a mature female, weighed 61.4 kilograms (135 lb).[2]

Taningia danae is named after Danish fisheries biologist Aage Vedel Taaning (1890–1958), who often traveled on the research vessel Dana.

Hunting behaviour and bioluminescence

In 2005, a Japanese research team headed by Tsunemi Kubodera managed to film T. danae in its natural habitat for the first time. The video footage, shot in deep water off Chichi-jima in the northern Pacific Ocean, shows T. danae emitting blinding flashes of light from photophores on its arms as it attacks its prey. It is believed that this highly maneuverable squid uses the bright flashes to disorientate potential prey. These flashes may also serve to illuminate the prey to make for easier capture as well as a courtship and territorial display.[2]

As well as a predatorial characteristic, Dana bioluminescence has also been inferred as a defense mechanism. Juveniles of this species have been observed moving rapidly in the direction of potential predators, as if hunting, to disorientate and startle the threat with a mock attack.[3]

Still image from the first video footage of a live Taningia danae in its natural habitat.
Arms and buccal mass of T. danae

Remains of Dana Octopus Squid have, on occasion, been found washed ashore on beaches. In 2008, a mantle of T. danae was discovered by students in Bermuda's Grape Bay, while tentacle remnants were found further along the shore.[4]

References

  1. ^ Nesis, K.N. 1982. Abridged key to the cephalopod mollusks of the world's ocean. Light and Food Industry Publishing House, Moscow. 385+ii pp. (Russian) [Translated into English by B. S. Levitov, ed. by L. A. Burgess 1987. Cephalopods of the world. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ. 351pp.]
  2. ^ a b c Kubodera, T., Y. Koyama & K. Mori 2006. Observations of wild hunting behaviour and bioluminescence of a large deep-sea, eight-armed squid, Taningia danae.PDF (295 KB) Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 274(1613): 1029–1034. doi:10.1098/rspb.2006.0236
  3. ^ Young, R.E. & M. Vecchione 1999. Taningia danae Joubin, 1931. Version 01 January 1999. Tree of Life web project.
  4. ^ Dale, A. 2008. "Monster from the Deep". Bermuda Royal Gazette, July 8, 2008.

External links

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