PZ Myers. 2005 Sep 28. Fishing for Architeuthis, the giant squid. <http://pharyngula.org/index/weblog/fishing_for_architeuthis_the_giant_squid/>. Accessed 2008 Nov 20.

Posted on M00o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr on Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Fishing for Architeuthis, the giant squid

Lots of people have been emailing me with the news about this filmed sequence showing a giant squid snagged on a deep line. Did you know that the paper is freely available online (pdf)? It's very cool. The researchers were jigging for squid with a 1km long line, snagged one by a tentacle, and then watched for the next four hours as it struggled to get free.

The squid's initial attack was captured on camera (figure 3a) and shows the two long tentacles characteristic of giant squid wrapped in a ball around the bait. The giant squid became snagged on the squid jig by the club of one of these long tentacles. More than 550 digital images were taken over the subsequent 4 h which record the squid's repeated attempts to detach from the jig. For the first 20 min, the squid disappeared from view as it actively swam away from the camera system. For the next 80 min, the squid repeatedly approached the line, spreading its arms widely (e.g. figure 3b) or enveloping the line. During this period the entire camera system was drawn upwards by the squid from 900 m to a depth of 600 m (figure 3g). Over the subsequent 3 h, the squid and system slowly returned to the planned deployment depth of 1000 m. For the last hour, the line was out of the camera frame, suggesting that the squid was attempting to break free by swimming (finning and/or jetting) away from the system. Four hours and 13 min after becoming snagged, the attached tentacle broke, as seen by sudden slackness in the line (figure 3c versus d ). The severed tentacle remained attached to the line and was retrieved with the camera system (figure 3e). The recovered section of tentacle was still functioning, with the large suckers of the tentacle club repeatedly gripping the boat deck and any offered fingers (figure 3f ).

I've put the figure they describe below the fold. It's a thing of beauty: an 8meter (26 foot) beast attacking the bait. Remind me not to go swimming below 500m, OK?

giant squid
click for larger image

Kubodera T, Mori K (2005) First-ever observations of a live giant squid in the wild. Proc. R. Soc. B doi:10.1098/rspb.2005.3158.

Posted by PZ Myers on 09/28 at 08:21 AM
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  1. Is that the hull of The Nautilus in part e of that figure?
    #: Posted by Martin Brazeau  on  09/28  at  08:37 AM
  2. But is there a link for the video yet?
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  08:52 AM
  3. They let the thing struggle for 4 hours? How mean. What was the point again?
    #: Posted by Malia  on  09/28  at  09:13 AM
  4. should we feel bad about ripping its arm off? I know very little about squid, can they regenerate or is this fella dead meat now?
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  09:22 AM
  5. Malia said
    They let the thing struggle for 4 hours? How mean. What was the point again?

    This is from a BBC article on it http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4288772.stm my emphasis

    The Auckland-based researcher said now that the squid had been caught on camera, researchers could focus on other, lesser known squid species and on conservation.

    Bottom-trawling by fisheries is destroying squid egg masses on the seabed, Dr O'Shea claimed. Evidence for this comes from an efficient squid predator - the sperm whale.

    "Five of the species of squid that were staple in the diet of the sperm whale are recognised in New Zealand as threatened solely as a consequence of the effects of deep-sea bottom-trawling."

    "[Sperm whales] are returning from the Antarctic on their historic migratory route to one of the richest regions on Earth in terms of squid diversity. But the larder is bare and the poor things are washing up on the beaches here starved."

    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  09:26 AM
  6. That is REALLY cool, we knew alot about squids only from their dead bodies but now that one has been actually filmed? Very neat. Hopefully this will generate some publicity to give grants to researchers working down there so we can learn more about it.

    I'd love to see a squid vs. sperm whale video.
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  09:34 AM
  7. "But is there a link for the video yet? "

    Yes, there is a video clip under your own BBC link! (don't know if you just didn't notice or didn't share with the class for some reason after you did).
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  10:17 AM
  8. Thanks Jason either I completely missed that or it wasn't there earlier (unfortunately I think I completely missed it, embarrassing)
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  10:21 AM
  9. Thanks Jason either I completely missed that or it wasn't there earlier (unfortunately I think I completely missed it, embarrassing especially as I looked at the BBC site long before I came here)
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  10:22 AM
  10. I knew you'd be excited...I was also wondering whether squid can regenerate missing arms...
    #: Posted by Mrs. Coulter  on  09/28  at  10:26 AM
  11. Does FSM get angry when we hurt giant squid? Doesn't your average hurricane look a lot like a squid, viewed from below? You'll bring His wrath on us all!
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  10:39 AM
  12. Goatan,

    Happens to the best of us, I'd just be peeved if you were holding out. smile

    Mrs. C,

    "Kubodera said the giant squid's tentacle would not grow back, but the squid's life was not in danger."

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050928/ap_on_sc/japan_giant_squid
    #: Posted by Jason Malloy  on  09/28  at  10:46 AM
  13. I like giant squid. Giant squid are our friends. As long as they're not terrorizing old sailing ships in stormy seas being filmed for the movies. Then they're scary, and not our friends. Then they should be hunted down and eliminated. But otherwise, they're good. Good giant squids.

    (My word to type to submit this comment is "eugenics.")

    a modest experiment
    #: Posted by Bob Davis  on  09/28  at  10:49 AM
  14. This encounter with the Squid is powerful evidence for why science needs to be massively curtailed. Once again, scientists have shown that they have no respect for the limits of nature, and they will continue to antagonize the gentle beasts of the deep. Folks, the Lord placed Squids in the deep as guardians of the ancient world and they are not be disturbed -- or else we will all be in peril. I think this video is a clear sign that the end-times are near. The Squid is the oldest servant of the Lord, and the end of time (2012) the Lord (who is Sara) will revive the ancient order of the Squid to turn to the land, enslaving the human race -- at that time we shall see the Squid face to face! (The Lord has sent a premonition of this terror to atheist in dreams so that their will be no excuse!) By antagonizing the Squid we are only increasing the punishments we will face at that time!

    The glory of the Squid is a true sign of the handy work of the Lord. Darwin could never explain how such a majestic beast could have descended from monkeys. The only answer is the intelligent handywork of the Lord Sara who is returning very soon to remind atheists and Christians who their real enemy and mother is! Watch out! I have sent this warning to many Christians and their atheist allies - and faced nothing but persecution! These Christians are truly servants of the Beast, the Monkey-Christ - the enemy of the Lord, Yehoshuah the catamite of Satan. Pray to the Lord if you want to avoid the just punishments the Squid has planned for your apish idolatry!
    #: Posted by Roger Lordblessed  on  09/28  at  11:12 AM
  15. Lovely plumage.
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  11:13 AM
  16. They let the thing struggle for 4 hours?

    It's not like they could go down there and unhook it.
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  11:50 AM
  17. The glory of the Squid is a true sign of the handy work of the Lord. Darwin could never explain how such a majestic beast could have descended from monkeys.


    What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean? Nobody mentioned squids evolving from monkeys. Thats absurd.

    I think we have another troll whos making parody posts... Atleast I hope it wasn't serious. Althought it was funny to read, I'll give the author that.
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  12:37 PM

  18. #41994: Geral Corasjo — 09/28 at 09:34 AM
    ...
    I'd love to see a squid vs. sperm whale video.

    The Squid and the Whale
    I watched the preview, and I didn't see a squid or a whale.
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  02:51 PM
  19. What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean? Nobody mentioned squids evolving from monkeys. Thats absurd.

    since he is does not identify as a christian, he is in a class which is nearly mutually exclusive with evolution trollery. But he has missed the point that FSM has clearly created His favored children in His noodly image. ID should take note of the obvious evidence of design in this case. If it quacks like a duck, or if its appendages are noodly...
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  02:51 PM
  20. If squids evolved from monkeys then why are there still monkeys?
    #: Posted by Jason Malloy  on  09/28  at  03:03 PM
  21. I watched the preview, and I didn't see a squid or a whale.


    Dang, maybe next time..

    But he has missed the point that FSM has clearly created His favored children in His noodly image. ID should take note of the obvious evidence of design in this case. If it quacks like a duck, or if its appendages are noodly...


    I missed the similiarities between the squid and the flying spaghetti monster.. may his noodles bless us all.

    (You know I can imagine within 10 years this FSM thing turning into a cult)

    But if ID is let into schools, I demand to see the flying spaghetti monster mentioned.
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  03:15 PM
  22. If squids evolved from monkeys then why are there still monkeys?


    If squids evolved from monkeys, why are there still Pymies and Dwarfs??!!!!
    #: Posted by IAMB  on  09/28  at  06:04 PM
  23. PYGMIES!!! Dammit.
    #: Posted by IAMB  on  09/28  at  06:05 PM
  24. Architeuthis made The Daily Show. All the news you need.
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  09:25 PM
  25. Squid did not evolve from monkeys. Monkeys evolved from squid. Why do you think they have that single tentacle coming out of their butts? Man, am I the only one who knows this stuff?

    What if the squid retaliate for the tentacle thing? I have been unable to use my toilet since hearing about this out of fear of suction cups on my butt. I am thinking of digging my own latrine... soon!
    #: Posted by Apesnake  on  09/28  at  10:19 PM
  26. I've actually been asked the, "if humans evolved from apes why are there still apes" question before, and it isn't that easy a question to answer. At least it isn't when face to face with another person. If you say something along the lines of, "evolution doesn't work like a straight line" you sound boring and like you have no answer. If you use the "If Americans and Australians came from Europe, why are there still Europeans?" You'll "win" but look mean and they will feel patronized.
    #: Posted by  on  09/28  at  10:41 PM
  27. Roger Lordblessed said
    Folks, the Lord placed Squids in the deep as guardians of the ancient world and they are not be disturbed -- or else we will all be in peril. I think this video is a clear sign that the end-times are near. The Squid is the oldest servant of the Lord, and the end of time (2012) the Lord (who is Sara) will revive the ancient order of the Squid to turn to the land, enslaving the human race -- at that time we shall see the Squid face to face! (The Lord has sent a premonition of this terror to atheist in dreams so that their will be no excuse!) By antagonizing the Squid we are only increasing the punishments we will face at that time!

    I think is fairley obvious that he is an acolyte of Cthulhu
    #: Posted by  on  09/29  at  02:29 AM
  28. Speaking of Cthulu, I can just imagine the screaming jibblies that video would have given ol' H.P.
    #: Posted by  on  09/29  at  02:58 AM
  29. >I think is fairley obvious that he is an acolyte of Cthulhu

    How can you be an acolyte of a presidential candidate?
    #: Posted by  on  09/29  at  05:46 AM
  30. I herewith put dibs on "Faithful Servant of the Monkey-Christ" as my sig.

    "Faithful Servant of the Squid-Christ" is still open.
    #: Posted by jre  on  09/29  at  12:47 PM
  31. "PYGMIES!!! Dammit."

    Shh, shh; it was a small mistake.
    #: Posted by  on  09/29  at  04:20 PM
  32. I'm 90% sure that the Roger Lordblessed post is a joke.
    #: Posted by Walt Pohl  on  09/29  at  08:58 PM

  33. I'm 90% sure that the Roger Lordblessed post is a joke.

    I thought that, too.
    Then I followed the link, and had to conclude that if it's a joke, it's a lavishly crafted joke.

    Of course, some people are willing to go to unbelievable lengths to do a good parody, as see here.
    #: Posted by jre  on  09/30  at  06:00 PM