The colossal squid, the heaviest invertebrate, has been filmed alive for the first time near the South Sandwich Islands, marking a significant milestone in marine biology. The footage shows a 30cm juvenile specimen swimming in its natural deep-sea habitat. This discovery, made during a 35-day expedition by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, highlights the continuous mysteries of ocean life, showcasing that aspects of essential species remain largely unknown. Scientists stress the importance of such expeditions to further understand marine ecosystems and the cryptic behaviors of deep-sea organisms like Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni.
For 100 years, the animal, a type of glass squid, had only been seen in the stomachs of whales and seabirds. Dying adults have previously been filmed in the nets of fishermen, but it had never been seen alive at depth.
It's exciting to see the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal and humbling to think that they have no idea that humans exist, said Dr Kat Bolstad of the Auckland University of Technology.
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