Scientists of the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi have discovered a new species of deep-sea squid from the Arabian Sea only the second confirmed species of the globally rare genus Taningia. The species, scientifically named Taningia silasii (Indian octopus squid), has been formally described in the international journal Marine Biodiversity.
The specimen was collected from nearly 390 metres depth off the Kollam coast. Measuring 45 cm in length (dorsal mantle length), the squid belongs to the family Octopoteuthidae, whose adults are known for their distinctive absence of tentacles, though they are true deep-sea squids.
The research was led by Dr Geetha Sasikumar, Principal Scientist and Dr Sajikumar K K, Technical Officer.
Until now, Taningia danae found in Atlantic waters was the only known species in this genus. Previously, squids of the genus Taningia were considered monotypic. DNA barcoding showed more than 11% genetic divergence from the Atlantic species, confirming the specimen as a distinct species.
Although called the ‘octopus squid’, it is in fact a squid that possess only eight arms and lacks the two long tentacles typically seen in other squid species. Members of this family can also attain large sizes, with the Atlantic species growing up to 2.3 metres (7.5 feet) in length and weighing approximately 61.4 kg.
The species has been named in honour of legendary marine biologist Dr E G. Silas, former Director of ICAR-CMFRI and former Vice Chancellor of Kerala Agriculture University and a pioneer of cephalopod research in India.
Nearly 400 different species of squids have been described worldwide, inhabiting a wide range of oceanic environments from shallow coastal regions to deep-sea trenches.
(Source: ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi)
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