Humboldt squid: Difference between revisions
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{{Taxobox |
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| name = Humboldt Squid |
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| image = Dosidicus gigas.jpg |
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| image_caption = Humboldt Squid photographed<br>by ROV ''Tiburon''. |
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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| phylum = [[Mollusc]]a |
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| classis = [[Cephalopod]]a |
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| ordo = [[Teuthida]] |
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| familia = [[Ommastrephidae]] |
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| subfamilia = [[Ommastrephinae]] |
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| genus = '''''Dosidicus''''' |
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| genus_authority = [[Japetus Steenstrup|Steenstrup]], [[1857]] |
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| species = '''''D. gigas''''' |
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| binomial = ''Dosidicus gigas'' |
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| binomial_authority = ([[Alcide d'Orbigny|Orbigny]], [[1835]]) |
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| synonyms = |
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*''Ommastrephes gigas''<br><small>Orbigny, 1835</small> |
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*''Ommastrephes giganteus''<br><small>Gray, 1849</small> |
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*''Dosidicus eschrichti''<br><small>Steenstrup, 1857</small> |
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*''Dosidicus steenstrupi''<br><small>Pfeffer, 1884</small> |
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}} |
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The '''Humboldt Squid''' (''Dosidicus gigas''), also known as '''Jumbo Squid''', '''Jumbo Flying Squid''', or '''Diablo Rojo (Red Devil)''', is a large, aggressive predatory [[squid]] found in the waters of the [[Humboldt Current]] in the [[Pacific Ocean|Eastern Pacific Ocean]]. They are most commonly found at depths of {{convert|200|–|700|m|ft}}, from [[Tierra del Fuego]] to [[California]]. Recent findings suggest the range of this species is spreading north into the waters of [[Oregon]], [[Washington]], [[British Columbia]] and [[Alaska]].<ref name="simon">[http://www.mbnms-simon.org/other/moreLinks/sporadic_squid.php Humboldt Squid Found in Pebble Beach (2003)]</ref><ref name="pnas">Zeidberg, L. & B.H. Robinson 2007. [http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/0702043104v1 Invasive range expansion by the Humboldt Squid, ''Dosidicus gigas'', in the eastern North Pacific]. ''PNAS'' '''104'''(31): 12948–12950.</ref> Though they usually prefer deep water, between 1,000 and 1,500 squid washed up on the [[Long Beach Peninsula]] in southwest [[Washington]] in the fall of 2004.<ref>[http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/345666.html Aggressive eating machines spotted on our coast (2008) ]</ref> |
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== Behavior and general characteristics == |
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Humboldt Squid are carnivorous marine invertebrates that move in [[wikt:shoal|shoal]]s of up to 1200 individuals. They swim at speeds of up to 24 kilometres per hour ({{convert|15|mph|kn|abbr=on|disp=s}}) propelled by water ejected through a [[hyponome]] (siphon) and by two diamond shaped fins. Their [[tentacle]]s bear suckers lined with sharp teeth with which they grasp prey and drag it towards a large, sharp beak. |
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Humboldt Squid are thought to have a lifespan of only about one year (although some researchers believe they may survive up to four years). They may grow to {{convert|2|m|ft|sigfig=1}} and weigh {{convert|45|kg|lb|sigfig=1}}, growing at an astounding rate. They can rapidly change their skin colour from deep purplish red to white using [[chromatophore]]s (specialized skin cells) in what some researchers believe is a complex communication system. Experts have also stated that the invertebrates hunt for their prey of small fish and [[krill]], in a cooperative fashion, which would be the first observation of such behaviour.<ref name="zimmerman">[http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200607/sea-of-cortez-humboldt-squid-1.html Behold the Humboldt squid]. Tim Zimmermann, Outside Magazine, July 2006.</ref> Humboldt Squid are known to hunt near the surface at night, taking advantage of the dark to use their keen vision to feed on more plentiful prey. There have been reports of these squid attacking divers and fishermen in the [[Sea of Cortez]].<ref name="cassel">[http://www.deeperblue.net/article.php/696/3/0 Sea of Cortez, 1995]</ref> The shallowest depths of Humboldt Squid's daytime habitat are only within reach of the extremes of [[Saturation diving]], so little is known of what they do during the day. |
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Recent research suggests that the squid are only aggressive while feeding. At other times, they are quite passive. Their behavior while feeding often extends to cannibalism and they have been seen to readily attack injured or vulnerable squid of their own shoal. This behavior may account for a large proportion of their rapid growth.<ref name="Tennesen">[http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueID=72&articleID=1006 The Curious Case of the Cannibal Squid], Michael Tennesen, National Wildlife Magazine, Dec/Jan 2005, vol. 43 no. 1.</ref><ref name="discover">[http://discovermagazine.com/2003/apr/guide1 Squid Sensitivity]Discover Magazine April, 2003</ref> |
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== Body characteristics == |
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[[Image:Deadsquid.JPG|thumb|left|A Humboldt Squid that washed up on a [[Santa Barbara, California|Santa Barbara]] shoreline]] |
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Generally, the tube (or body) constitutes about 40% of the animal's mass, the fin (or wing) about 12%, the tentacles about 14%, the outer skin about 3%, the head (including eyes and beak) about 5%, with the balance (26%) made up of the inner organs. |
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In circumstances where these animals are not feeding or being hunted, they exhibit curious and intelligent behavior.<ref>[http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200607/sea-of-cortez-humboldt-squid-1.html Behold the Humboldt Squid | Outside Online<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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Recent footage of pods of these animals demonstrates a tendency to meet unfamiliar objects aggressively. Having risen to depths of {{convert|130|–|200|m|ft}} below the surface to feed (up from their typical 700 meter (2,300 ft) diving depth, beyond the range of human diving), they have attacked deep-sea cameras and rendered them inoperable. Reports of [[Recreational diving|recreational scuba divers]] being attacked by Humboldt Squid have been confirmed. One particular diver, Scott Cassell,<ref>[http://www.deeperblue.net/bio.php/159 DeeperBlue.net - Fanatical About FreeDiving, Scuba Diving, Spearfishing & Technical Diving<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> who has spent much of his career videotaping this species, has developed body armor to protect against attacks.<ref name="deeperblue">Cassell, S. [http://www.deeperblue.net/article.php/696 Dancing with Demons]. [http://www.deeperblue.net Deeper Blue], [[2005-12-15]]</ref> Each of the squid's suckers is ringed with sharp teeth, and the beak itself can tear flesh, although it's believed they lack the jaw strength to crack heavy bone.<ref name="Tennesen">[http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueID=72&articleID=1006 The Curious Case of the Cannibal Squid], Michael Tennesen, National Wildlife Magazine, Dec/Jan 2005, vol. 43 no. 1.</ref> Nevertheless, they eat their prey by grabbing it with their tentacles and biting it repeatedly with their beak. Working together, several squid are able to devour large prey very quickly. |
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== Fishing == |
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<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:INY Dosidicus gigas Entera.JPG|thumb|Humboldt Squid at a processing plant in [[Paita]], [[Peru]].]]--> |
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Commercially, this species has been caught to serve the European community market (mainly Spain, Italy and France), Russia, China, Japan, South East Asian and increasingly North and South American markets. |
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The squid are fished at night, when it is easier to lure them with lights used by fishermen that make the [[plankton]] the squid feed on shine, which causes the squid to rise to the surface to feed. Since the 1990s, the most important areas for landings of Humboldt Squid are northern [[Peru]] and [[Mexico]]. |
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There are numerous accounts of the squid attacking fishermen and divers in the area and attacks on humans are regularly seen, but only when they are being fished. Their colouring and aggressive reputation has earned them the nickname ''diablos rojos'' (red devils) from fishermen off the coast of [[Mexico]] as they flash red and white when struggling with the fishermen. |
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== Humboldt Squid and El Niño == |
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Although Humboldt Squid are generally found in the warm Pacific waters off of the Mexican coast, recent years have shown an increase in northern migration. The large 1997-98 [[El Niño]] event triggered the first sightings of Humboldt Squid in [[Monterey Bay]].<ref name="pnas" /> Then, during the minor El Niño event of 2002, Humboldt Squid returned to Monterey Bay in higher numbers and have been seen there year-round since then. Similar trends have been shown off the coasts of [[Washington]], [[Oregon]], and even [[Alaska]], although there are no year-round Humboldt Squid populations in these locations. It has been suggested that this change in migration is due to warming waters during El Niño events, but other factors, such as a decrease in upper trophic level predators that would compete with Humboldt Squid for food, could be impacting the migration shift as well.<ref name="pnas" /> |
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== Humboldt Squid and Ocean Acidification == |
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A study conducted by members of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America found that by the end of this century [[ocean acidification]] will lower the Humboldt squid's metabolic rate by 31% and activity levels by 45%. This will lead the squid to have to retreat to shallower waters where it can uptake oxygen at higher levels.<ref>Rosa, Rui, and Brad A. Seibel. "Synergistic effects of climate-related variables suggest future physiological impairment in a top oceanic predator." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105 (2008): 20776-0780</ref> |
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== See also == |
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*[[Cephalopod size]] |
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*[[Kraken]] |
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*[[Giant squid]] |
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*[[Colossal squid]] |
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== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
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{{CephBase Species|395}} |
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* [http://www.sea-wolves.com/anime/squidpresentation.swf Sea Wolves' presentation on Humboldt Squid's physiology and behavior] |
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* [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/07/0718_030718_jumbosquid.html National Geographic: Humboldt Squid] |
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* [http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-squid26mar26,0,5972859.story?coll=la-home-headlines LA Times: Jumbo Squid] |
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* [http://www.kqed.org/quest/television/view/774 KQED Humboldt Squid broadcast] |
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* [http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/345666.html Aggressive Eating Machines, The NewsTribune.com, Tacoma, WA] |
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4iDQsXIi3I Google Techtalk by Scott Cassell on Humboldt squid] |
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[[Category:Squid]] |
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[[Category:Molluscs of Chile]] |
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[[Category:Molluscs of Peru]] |
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[[Category:Megafauna]] |
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[[fr:Dosidicus gigas]] |
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[[tr:Humboldt mürekkep balığı]] |
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[[it:Dosidicus gigas]] |
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Revision as of 21:05, 22 February 2009
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