Dana Octopus Squid
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| Dana Octopus Squid | ||||||||||||||
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| Taningia danae Joubin, 1931 |
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The Dana Octopus Squid (Taningia danae) is a species of squid in the family Octopoteuthidae. It is one of the largest know squid species, reaching a mantle length (ML) of 170 cm.[1]
Taningia danae is named after Danish fisheries biologist Aage Vedel Taaning (1890-1958), who often traveled on the research vessel Dana.
[edit] 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 as it attacks its prey. It is believed that this highly maneuverable squid uses the bright flashes to disorientate potential prey. The footage reveals short flashes from light-producing photophores on its arms. 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]
[edit] References
- ^ 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.]
- ^ 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 (published online). doi:10.1098/rspb.2006.0236
- ^ Young, R.E. & M. Vecchione 1999. Taningia danae Joubin, 1931. Version 01 January 1999. Tree of Life web project.
- Quetglas, A., K. Fliti, E. Massutí, W. Refes, B. Guijarro & S. Zaghdoudi 2006. First record of Taningia danae (Cephalopoda: Octopoteuthidae) in the Mediterranean SeaPDF. Scientia Marina 70(1): 153–155.
[edit] External links
- CephBase: Dana Octopus Squid
- Tree of Life web project: Taningia danae
- National Geographic: Monster Glowing Squid Caught on Camera
- BBC: Large squid lights up for attack
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