Have you seen the pics of the Collossal Squid caught off New Zealand?

Question

What does this discovery do for science?

Answer 1

They knew that they existed in fact there are Pilot whales that have scars from their beaks from trying to eat them. There are a few of them that are kept in museums (not in public view) but are being preserved. They specimens that they have most have washed up on shore or something like that. This is really the first one (I think) that was caught alive. The oceans are a crazy place and we have only begun to touch the surface of what it has. There is also giant octopus out there, again only a few have been found most washed up. I am sure the Discovery channel will have news on it soon you should check out their site.

Answer 2

Scientists in Australia have discovered evidence that may help explain the mating behavior of the giant squid, a solitary and mysterious creature about which little is known, according to an October 16, 1997, report in the journal Nature.


Zoologists Mark D. Norman and Chung Cheng Lu of the University of Melbourne believe the male giant squid mates with a female by using its muscular penis to deposit sperm into a shallow wound beneath the skin of its female partner. The scientists theorized that the sperm, contained in capsules called spermatophores, is injected into the female's skin “potentially under hydraulic pressure,” suggesting that the male reproductive organ functions something like a syringe.


The females of several smaller species of squid are known to store sperm in healed wounds under their skin. But scientists believe the wounds are made by the male squid's beaklike mouth and are then filled with spermatophores. The mating behavior of the giant squid, which can grow to 18 m (60 ft) and weigh 2000 kg (4400 lb), is thought to be unique.


The discovery was reported after Norman and Lu examined a female giant squid 15 m (50 ft) long captured off the coast of southern Australia by a commercial fishing trawler. Spermatophores, several centimeters long and filled with millions of sperm, were found deposited in a small wound in one of the giant squid's forward arms. On another forward arm, more spermatophores were found under a patch of torn skin, suggesting “deliberate placement,” the scientists said.


The scientists speculated that female giant squid may stockpile the sperm for long periods, an adaptation to a dark world where “encounters with male giant squid are infrequent.” Scientists believe giant squid live mainly at depths of 300 to 600 m (985 to 1970 ft), where sunlight does not penetrate. It is unknown how the female uses the sperm to fertilize her eggs.

Answer 3

Caught alive? I hadn't heard about this one. I hope they return it to the ocean, though, rather than keep it somewhere for study (if it is still alive now). It has probably lived a long life (for its species) to be so big, and has a right to continue its existence. The fact that scientists believe they can just do whatever they want with another living being burns me up.

Answer 4

Yes, I have. And I for *damn* sure wouldn't want to meet that mother in a dark ally ☺

It shows that there are a helluva lot of things that we don't know yet. But, as the Buddhists say, "Knowledge of ones own ignorance is the first step on the road to wisdom."

Doug

Answer 5

Yes I have, I found it quite amazing. Just imagine, there are even larger ones somewhere out there!