The giant squid (Architeuthis sp. The giant squid ( Genus: Architeuthis) is a deep-ocean dwelling Squid in the family Architeuthidae, represented by ) was for a long time thought to be the largest extant cephalopod. It is now known that the Colossal Squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) attains an even greater size. The Colossal Squid ( Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, from Greek mesos (middle onychos (claw and teuthis (squid sometimes called
Size has been one of the most interesting aspects of cephalopod science to the general public. The cephalopods ( Greek plural (kephalópoda "head-feet" are the Mollusc class Cephalopoda characterized by This article lists the largest cephalopods from various groups, sorted in order of mantle length, total length, weight, and shell diameter. The mantle is an important part of the anatomy of Molluscs It is the dorsal body wall which covers the visceral mass Extinct taxa are also included. A taxon (plural taxa) or taxonomic unit, is a name designating an organism or a group of Organisms In Biological nomenclature according to
Note: Measurements are listed as they appear in the cited references and original units are retained.
Contents |
Mantle length
Haliphron atlanticus (ML: 0. The Seven-arm Octopus ( Haliphron atlanticus) is the largest known species of Octopus based on scientific records with a total estimated length of 4 m and weight of 69 m), the largest known octopus specimen.
The Colossal Squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) caught in early 2007 is the largest cephalopod ever recorded. The Colossal Squid ( Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, from Greek mesos (middle onychos (claw and teuthis (squid sometimes called
| Octopoda (octopuses) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Maximum mantle length | References | Notes | ||
| Haliphron atlanticus | 0. The The Seven-arm Octopus ( Haliphron atlanticus) is the largest known species of Octopus based on scientific records with a total estimated length of 4 m and weight of 69 m | O'Shea (2004) | |||
| Enteroctopus dofleini | 60 cm | Norman (2000:214) | |||
| Sepiida (cuttlefish) | |||||
| Species | Maximum mantle length | References | Notes | ||
| Sepia apama | 500 mm | Reid et al. The North Pacific Giant Octopus ( Enteroctopus dofleini) is a large Cephalopod belonging to the genus Enteroctopus. Cuttlefish are marine animals of the order Sepiida belonging to the Cephalopoda class (which also includes Squid, Octopuses The Australian Giant Cuttlefish, Sepia apama, is the world's largest Cuttlefish species growing to 50 cm in mantle length and over 10 (2005:68) | |||
| Sepia latimanus | 500 mm | Reid et al. The Broadclub Cuttlefish ( Sepia latimanus) is the second largest Cuttlefish species after Sepia apama, growing to 50 cm in mantle (2005:92) | |||
| Sepia officinalis | 490 mm | Reid et al. The Common Cuttlefish or European Common Cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis) is one of the largest and best known Cuttlefish species (2005:99) | |||
| Sepia pharaonis | 420 mm | Reid et al. The Pharaoh Cuttlefish ( Sepia pharaonis) is a large Cuttlefish species growing to 42 cm in mantle length and 5 kg in weight (2005:107) | |||
| Sepiolida (bobtail squid) | |||||
| Species | Maximum mantle length | References | Notes | ||
| Euprymna stenodactyla | 19 cm | Okutani (1995) | |||
| Spirulida (Ram's Horn Squid) (only one extant species) | |||||
| Species | Maximum mantle length | References | Notes | ||
| Spirula spirula | rarely exceeds 45 mm | Reid et al. Bobtail squid (order Sepiolida) are a group of Cephalopods closely related to Cuttlefish. Euprymna stenodactyla is a species of Bobtail squid. It is probably the largest species in the order Sepiolida, growing to a mantle length Spirulida is an order of Cephalopods comprising one extant species and several extinct taxa. Spirula spirula is a Species of deepwater Squid -like Cephalopod. (2005:211) | |||
| Teuthida (squid) | |||||
| Species | Maximum mantle length | References | Notes | ||
| Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni | 4 m (estimate) | O'Shea (2005a) | Estimate based on largest known beak (LRL: 49 mm). Squid are marine Cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species The Colossal Squid ( Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, from Greek mesos (middle onychos (claw and teuthis (squid sometimes called | ||
| Galiteuthis phyllura | 265-275 cm (estimate) | Nesis (1985) | Estimate based on 40 cm long arm and 115 cm tentacle. Galiteuthis phyllura is a species of Glass squid, possibly the largest in the Genus. | ||
| Architeuthis sp. The giant squid ( Genus: Architeuthis) is a deep-ocean dwelling Squid in the family Architeuthidae, represented by † | 2. 25 m | O'Shea (2005a) | |||
| Moroteuthis robusta | 2 m | Norman (2000:174) | Kubodera et al. The Robust Clubhook Squid ( Moroteuthis robusta) is a species of Squid in the family Onychoteuthidae. (1998) give maximum of at least 1615 mm. | ||
| Megalocranchia fisheri | 1800 mm | Tsuchiya & Okutani (1993) | |||
| Taningia danae | 170 cm | Nesis (1982) | |||
| Dosidicus gigas | 1. Megalocranchia fisheri is a species of Glass squid. Its natural range covers at least the waters off Hawaii. The Dana Octopus Squid ( Taningia danae) is a species of Squid in the family Octopoteuthidae. The Humboldt Squid ( Dosidicus gigas) also known as Jumbo Squid, Jumbo Flying Squid, or Diablo Rojo (Red Devil, is a large aggressive 5 m | Norman (2000:165) | |||
| Kondakovia longimana | probably 1150+ mm (estimate) | O'Shea (2005b) | Longest confirmed specimen measures 850 mm (O'Shea, 2005b). Kondakovia longimana is a large species of Hooked squid. It attains a mantle length of at least 85 cm and probably over 1 Total length to at least 230 cm (Carrington, 2000). | ||
| Thysanoteuthis rhombus | 100 cm | Roper et al. The Diamond Squid or Diamondback Squid ( Thysanoteuthis rhombus) is a large species of Squid, growing to 100 cm in mantle length (1984) | Commonly grows to a mantle length of 60 cm (Roper et al. , 1984). | ||
| Vampyromorphida (Vampire Squid) (only one extant species) | |||||
| Species | Maximum mantle length | References | Notes | ||
| Vampyroteuthis infernalis | 13 cm | Nesis (1982) | |||
† The taxonomy of the giant squid has not been entirely resolved. Vampyromorphida is an order of Cephalopods comprising one extant species ( Vampyroteuthis infernalis) and several extinct The Vampire Squid ( Vampyroteuthis infernalis, lit " Vampire Squid from Hell " is a small deep-sea cirrate Cephalopod Lumpers and splitters may propose as many as eight species or as few as one. No genetic or physical basis for distinguishing between the named species has been proposed.
Total length
A long-arm squid (cf. Magnapinna) filmed in the Gulf of Mexico. The bigfin squids are a group of rarely seen cephalopods with a very distinctive morphology
| Octopoda (octopuses) Not to be confused with armspan, which is approximately double the total length. The | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Maximum total length | References | Notes | ||
| Enteroctopus dofleini | > 6. The North Pacific Giant Octopus ( Enteroctopus dofleini) is a large Cephalopod belonging to the genus Enteroctopus. 1 m | Cosgrove (1987) | |||
| Haliphron atlanticus | 4 m (estimate) | O'Shea (2004) | Estimate based on incomplete 2. The Seven-arm Octopus ( Haliphron atlanticus) is the largest known species of Octopus based on scientific records with a total estimated length of 4 m and weight of 90 m specimen. | ||
| Teuthida (squid) Total length including long feeding tentacles. Squid are marine Cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species | |||||
| Species | Maximum total length | References | Notes | ||
| Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni | 14 m (estimate) | O'Shea (2005a) | Estimate based on largest known beak (LRL: 49 mm). The Colossal Squid ( Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, from Greek mesos (middle onychos (claw and teuthis (squid sometimes called | ||
| Architeuthis sp. The giant squid ( Genus: Architeuthis) is a deep-ocean dwelling Squid in the family Architeuthidae, represented by | 13 m (female) | O'Shea (2005a) | Measured post mortem and relaxed. Older records were exaggerated by stretching of the tentacles (O'Shea, 2005a). | ||
| cf. Magnapinna | at least 8 m (estimate) | Bolstad (2003) | Estimate based on video evidence. The bigfin squids are a group of rarely seen cephalopods with a very distinctive morphology | ||
| Asperoteuthis acanthoderma | 5. Asperoteuthis acanthoderma is a species of Squid belonging to the family Chiroteuthidae. 5 m | Tsuchiya & Okutani (1993) | Length of immature specimen measuring 45 cm ML. Largest known specimen (78 cm ML) would presumably be longer if it were complete (Okutani, 1995). | ||
| Moroteuthis robusta | over 4 m | Verrill (1876) | |||
| Galiteuthis phyllura | over 4 m (estimate) | Nesis (1985) | Estimate based on 40 cm long arm and 115 cm tentacle. The Robust Clubhook Squid ( Moroteuthis robusta) is a species of Squid in the family Onychoteuthidae. Galiteuthis phyllura is a species of Glass squid, possibly the largest in the Genus. | ||
Weight
North Pacific Giant Octopus, Enteroctopus dofleini. The North Pacific Giant Octopus ( Enteroctopus dofleini) is a large Cephalopod belonging to the genus Enteroctopus.
| Octopoda (octopuses) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Maximum weight | References | Notes | ||
| Haliphron atlanticus | 75 kg (estimate) | O'Shea (2004) | Estimate based on incomplete 61. The The Seven-arm Octopus ( Haliphron atlanticus) is the largest known species of Octopus based on scientific records with a total estimated length of 4 m and weight of 0 kg specimen. | ||
| Enteroctopus dofleini | 71 kg | Cosgrove (1987) | Weight of live specimen. The North Pacific Giant Octopus ( Enteroctopus dofleini) is a large Cephalopod belonging to the genus Enteroctopus. There exists a highly dubious record of a 272 kg specimen (High, 1976). | ||
| Sepiida (cuttlefish) | |||||
| Species | Maximum weight | References | Notes | ||
| Sepia apama | in excess of 10. Cuttlefish are marine animals of the order Sepiida belonging to the Cephalopoda class (which also includes Squid, Octopuses The Australian Giant Cuttlefish, Sepia apama, is the world's largest Cuttlefish species growing to 50 cm in mantle length and over 10 5 kg | Reid et al. (2005:68) | |||
| Sepia latimanus | 10 kg | Reid et al. The Broadclub Cuttlefish ( Sepia latimanus) is the second largest Cuttlefish species after Sepia apama, growing to 50 cm in mantle (2005:92) | |||
| Sepia pharaonis | 5 kg | Reid et al. The Pharaoh Cuttlefish ( Sepia pharaonis) is a large Cuttlefish species growing to 42 cm in mantle length and 5 kg in weight (2005:107) | |||
| Sepia officinalis | 4 kg | Reid et al. The Common Cuttlefish or European Common Cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis) is one of the largest and best known Cuttlefish species (2005:99) | |||
| Teuthida (squid) | |||||
| Species | Maximum weight | References | Notes | ||
| Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni | 495 kg | [Anonymous] (2007) | Weight of mature specimen caught in early 2007. Squid are marine Cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species The Colossal Squid ( Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, from Greek mesos (middle onychos (claw and teuthis (squid sometimes called Originally estimated to weigh 450 kg (Anderton, 2007). | ||
| Architeuthis sp. The giant squid ( Genus: Architeuthis) is a deep-ocean dwelling Squid in the family Architeuthidae, represented by | 275 kg (female) | O'Shea (2005a) | |||
Shell diameter
Nautilus shells: N. macromphalus (left), A. scrobiculatus (centre), N. pompilius (right). The Bellybutton Nautilus ( Nautilus macromphalus) is a species of Nautilus native to the waters off New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands, and The Crusty Nautilus ( Allonautilus scrobiculatus) is a species of Nautilus native to the waters around New Guinea, specifically New Britain
Argonauta hians shell, 121. The Winged Argonaut ( Argonauta hians) also known as the Muddy Argonaut or Brown Paper Nautilus, is a Species of Pelagic 5 mm in diameter.
Internal shell of Spirula spirula. Spirula spirula is a Species of deepwater Squid -like Cephalopod.
| Nautilida (nautiluses) (all extant species listed) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Maximum shell diameter | References | Notes | ||
| Nautilus pompilius pompilius | 268 mm | [1] | Pisor (2005:93) lists maximum shell diameter of 254. Nautilida is an order of mostly prehistoric Cephalopods that includes the modern Nautiluses and their immediate ancestors and relatives 0 mm. Nautilus repertus is treated here in synonymy with N. pompilius pompilius. Pisor (2005:93) lists 230. 0 mm record for N. repertus. | ||
| Nautilus belauensis | 226 mm | Jereb (2005:54) | |||
| Allonautilus scrobiculatus | 215. The Palau Nautilus ( Nautilus belauensis) is a species of Nautilus native to the waters around the Pacific Island nation of Palau The Crusty Nautilus ( Allonautilus scrobiculatus) is a species of Nautilus native to the waters around New Guinea, specifically New Britain 0 mm | Pisor (2005:93) | |||
| Nautilus stenomphalus | 201. The White-patch Nautilus ( Nautilus stenomphalus) is a species of Nautilus native to the Great Barrier Reef. 0 mm | Pisor (2005:93) | |||
| Allonautilus perforatus | around 180 mm | Jereb (2005:55) | |||
| Nautilus macromphalus | 180. Allonautilus perforatus is a Species of Nautilus native to the waters around Bali, Indonesia. The Bellybutton Nautilus ( Nautilus macromphalus) is a species of Nautilus native to the waters off New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands, and 0 mm | Pisor (2005:93) | |||
| Nautilus pompilius suluensis | 148. 0 mm | Pisor (2005:93) | |||
| Octopoda (octopuses) (all extant Argonauta species listed) Females of the genus Argonauta produce a calcareous eggcase in which they reside. The The argonauts ( Genus Argonauta, the only extant genus in the Argonautidae family are a group of Pelagic Octopuses | |||||
| Species | Maximum shell diameter | References | Notes | ||
| Argonauta argo | 300. The Greater Argonaut ( Argonauta argo) is a Species of Pelagic Octopus belonging to the Genus Argonauta. 0 mm | Pisor (2005:12) | |||
| Argonauta nodosa | 292. The knobby or knobbed argonaut, Argonauta nodosa, is a Species of Pelagic Octopus. 0 mm | Pisor (2005:12) | |||
| Argonauta pacifica‡ | 220. The Pacific Argonaut ( Argonauta pacifica) is a Species of Pelagic Octopus. 0 mm | Pisor (2005:12) | |||
| Argonauta hians | 121. The Winged Argonaut ( Argonauta hians) also known as the Muddy Argonaut or Brown Paper Nautilus, is a Species of Pelagic 5 mm | Pisor (2005:12) lists maximum shell diameter of 112. 6 mm. | |||
| Argonauta cornuta‡ | 98. Argonauta cornuta is a Species of Pelagic Octopus belonging to the Genus Argonauta. 6 mm | Pisor (2005:12) | |||
| Argonauta nouryi | 95. Noury's Argonaut ( Argonauta nouryi) is a Species of Pelagic Octopus. 5 mm | Pisor (2005:12) | |||
| Argonauta bottgeri | 67. Böttger's Argonaut, Argonauta bottgeri, is a Species of Pelagic Octopus belonging to the Genus Argonauta 0 mm | Pisor (2005:12) | |||
| Spirulida (Ram's Horn Squid) (only one extant species) The Ram's Horn Squid possesses a chambered internal shell, which it uses for buoyancy control. Spirulida is an order of Cephalopods comprising one extant species and several extinct taxa. In Physics, buoyancy ( BrE IPA: /ˈbɔɪənsi/ is the upward Force on an object produced by the surrounding liquid or gas in which it is | |||||
| Species | Maximum shell diameter | References | Notes | ||
| Spirula spirula | 28. Spirula spirula is a Species of deepwater Squid -like Cephalopod. 8 mm | [2] | Pisor (2005:108) lists maximum shell diameter of 26. 9 mm. | ||
‡ Species status questionable.
Extinct taxa
Cast of the 1. 95 m Parapuzosia seppenradensis specimen. Parapuzosia seppenradensis is the largest known species of Ammonite.
| Ammonoidea (ammonites) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Maximum shell diameter | References | Notes | ||
| Parapuzosia seppenradensis | 2. Ammonites are an extinct group of marine animals of the subclass Ammonoidea in the class Cephalopoda phylum Parapuzosia seppenradensis is the largest known species of Ammonite. 55 m (estimate) | Kennedy & Kaplan (1995) | Estimate based on 1. 95 m diameter specimen with an incomplete living chamber. | ||
| Belemnoidea (belemnites) | |||||
| Species | Maximum rostrum length | References | Notes | ||
| Megateuthis gigantea | 46 cm | Eyden (2003) | The whole belemnite is estimated to have been 3-5 m long. Belemnites (or belemnoids are an extinct group of marine Cephalopod, very similar in many ways to the modern Squid and closely related to the modern Cuttlefish Megateuthis gigantea is the largest known Belemnite species The guard of M | ||
| Nautiloidea (nautiloids) | |||||
| Species | Maximum shell length | References | Notes | ||
| Cameroceras sp. Nautiloids are a group of marine Mollusks in the subclass Nautiloidea, which all possess an external shell the best-known example being the modern Nautiluses Cameroceras ("chambered horn" was a genus of giant Orthocone Cephalopod that lived in the Ordovician period | 11 m (estimate) | Teichert & Kummel (1960) | |||
| Vampyromorphida (vampire squid) | |||||
| Species | Maximum mantle length | References | Notes | ||
| Tusoteuthis longa | over 1. Vampyromorphida is an order of Cephalopods comprising one extant species ( Vampyroteuthis infernalis) and several extinct Tusoteuthis is a genus of Cretaceous Cephalopod Molluscs One species T 8 m (estimate) | Eyden (2004) | |||
References
- [Anonymous] 2007. Colossal squid may be headed for oven. Associated Press.
- Anderton, H. J. 2007. Amazing specimen of world's largest squid in NZ. New Zealand Government website.
- Bolstad, K. 2003. Deep-Sea Cephalopods: An Introduction and Overview. The Octopus News Magazine Online.
- Carrington, D. 2000. Big squid breaks record. BBC News, July 3, 2000.
- Cosgrove, J. A. 1987. Aspects of the Natural History of Octopus dofleini, the Giant Pacific Octopus. M. Sc. Thesis. Department of Biology, University of Victoria (Canada), 101 pp.
- Eyden, P. 2003. Belemnites: A Quick Look. The Octopus News Magazine Online.
- Eyden, P. 2004. Cretaceous Giant Squid. The Octopus News Magazine Online.
- High, W. L. 1976. The giant Pacific octopus. U. S. National Marine Fisheries Service, Marine Fisheries Review 38(9): 17-22.
- Jereb, P. 2005. Family Nautilidae. In: P. Jereb & C. F. E. Roper, eds. Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and Illustrated catalogue of species known to date. Volume 1. Chambered nautiluses and sepioids (Nautilidae, Sepiidae, Sepiolidae, Sepiadariidae, Idiosepiidae and Spirulidae). FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 4, Vol. 1. Rome, FAO. pp. 51–55.
- (German) Kennedy, W. J. & U. Kaplan 1995. Parapuzosia (Parapuzosia) seppenradensis (LANDOIS) und die Ammoniten fauna der Dülmener Schichten, Westfalen. Geol. Paläont. Westf. 33: 127 p. , 43 pls.
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