Researchers have discovered an entirely new species of vampire squid, making it the second known species to science.
The world is home to many amazing animal species, and the creepiest of them tend to lurk in the darkest depths of the ocean, aka the twilight zone. In a new study, scientists have discovered a new species of creepy creature that makes it the second species of vampire squid known to science, according to LiveScience.
The new species was discovered swimming in deep waters off the coast of Hainan Island, China. The vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis), previously known to science, reaches only about 30 centimeters in length, but despite its menacing appearance and name, it is not dangerous. Representatives of this species are deep-sea scavengers and are unlikely to harm anyone except small invertebrates.
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Note that killer squids have been previously discovered in many temperate and tropical environments around the world. However, the only officially described species was documented in 1903, when scientists discovered it as a result of a deep-sea expedition led by German marine biologist Karl Chun. Other species were later described, but they were ultimately found to be members of the same species.
The confusion stems from the loss of the original fins as the squid matures and develops a second set of fins closer to its head. The 10 previously described synonymous species showed some morphological differences, but they were all observed at different life stages, said lead author Dajun Qiu, a marine biologist at the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology.
In a new study, scientists have named the second species of vampire squid discovered off the coast of China, V. pseudoinfernalis, which was discovered at depths of 800 to 1,000 meters in what scientists call the ocean’s twilight zone.
The team studied the new species and discovered some unique features that set it apart from the already known vampire squid. First, the scientists were struck by the location of its light-producing organs between the fins and the tail (in V. infernalis, they are located one-third of the way between the fins and the tip of the body); second, the new species of vampire squid has a pointed tail, while V. infernalis has no tail at all; third, the new species also has a longer, winged beak on its underside.
Interestingly, the vampire squid appears as a gelatinous black blob in the photo, but in a deep-sea environment it likely resembles a wavy, cape-like shape. Genetic analysis also suggests that V. pseudoinfernalis is a distinct species
Scientists admit that more samples will be needed to be sure, but the evidence available today suggests that an entirely new species of vampire squid has been discovered off the coast of China.
Previously Focus He wrote that 165 million years ago, there lived a vampire in the ocean who escaped with glowing organs and suction cups.
Source: Focus
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