Vampire of the deep

Right now there's a post on my other blog about squid, which is something that doesn't happen very often. We don't know enough about their behavior to know the details of their character flaws, I guess.
But we do know a lot about what they look like: they're are wonderfully weird and it's been too long since we saw one here.

That picture is of one of the creepiest species, with a name to suit: the vampire squid. Though called a squid, it's actually a more primitive relative of both the squid and octopus. True to its name, it wears a cape -  its arms are connected by webbing that helps it fly batlike through the water. And while it can't suck your blood, it can pierce you: for defense, it turns that webbing inside out to cover its body and reveal the sharp spikes jutting out of its arms. Check it out:

Next time you eat calamari, hope you never meet one of its relatives looking for revenge.
-Wombat (No Relation)

Wishes for the coming year

We love ugly animals, but still, even we think they should stay where they belong. Here's hoping you don't get any vampire squid on your head in the New Year.

-Lilly and Wombat (No Relation)

Behold the Piglet Squid

The piglet squid is actually adorable, so it has no right to be here. But, it is a mollusk, and mollusks should always feel welcome at Ugly Overload.

Like so many squids, it's hard for me to find much information on the piglet. They get to be about 10 cm in mantle length (the cylindrical portion of their body), and they sport their legs above their eyes. That's right, they've broken the mold. They don't do the squid thing like anyone else, no, not the piglet. How's that for outside-the-box-thinking?

The next time my boss has an all-staff meeting to motivate us and encourage us toward innovation, I'll be sure to mention this guy.

Thanks for the new squid, Jelo.

Return of the Monster Squid

Photo via The Orlando Sentinel
They're back. Time for the invasion of the Humboldt squid off the southern coast of California.

These normally deep-sea dwelling cephalopods have come to the surface to...well, we don't know why. But they're causing quite a stir among even veteran scuba divers. Some are staying out of the water, some are going in. Here's an experience Shandra Magill had recently:

On a recent night, Magill watched in awe as a dozen squid with expressive eyes circled her group, tapping and patting the divers and gently bumping them before dashing away.
One especially large squid suspended itself motionless in the water about a yard away and peered at her closely, its eyes rolling, before it vanished into the black. A shimmering incandescence rippled along its body, almost as if it were communicating through its skin.
But the next night, things were different: A large squid surprised Magill by hitting her from behind and grabbing at her, pulling her sideways in the water. The powerful creature ripped her buoyancy hose away from her chest and knocked away her light.
When Magill recovered, she didn't know which direction was up and at first couldn't find the hose to help her rise to the surface. The squid was gone.
“I just kicked like crazy. The first thing you think of is, 'Oh my gosh, I don't know if I'm going to survive this. If that squid wanted to hurt me, it would have,” she said.

As a scuba diver myself, I can understand wanting to jump in and get a good look. As an animal with a self-preservation instinct, I also understand wanting to stay home with a bag of Cheetohs, with the comforting knowledge that I won't be eaten by a mollusk.

Thanks for the article, Ida.

Greenland Ugly

The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) provides for a double dose of ugly. The shark, which dwells in arctic waters, is no beauty contest winner. Its pebbly hide and prehistoric appearance alone make it a good candidate for residency at Ugly Overload.

But the ugly doesn't start there. That's because most Greenland sharks are host to small crustacean parasites called copepods. These parasites attach themselves to the shark's cornea and do permanent damage to the eye, resulting in partial to complete blindness.


Photo source: Nick Caloyianis via National Geographic




















But there is a silver lining to be found in these murky depths. Greenland sharks are also called sleeper sharks, because they are so slow-moving. So slow, that they can be dragged aboard with one's bare hands. So how in the world have they been found with squid and other fast-moving fish in their gullets? One theory is that the parasite, which dangles out of the eye like a worm, might serve as a lure for other fish, thereby allowing the shark to get close enough for an ambush attack. How's that for symbiosis?

Photo source: Nick Caloyianis via National Geographic



























But then, that doesn't explain the seal, reindeer, polar bear, and even horse parts found inside the shark's belly. Just goes to show that we have a lot to learn. It also goes to show that not even polar bears can feel too safe when taking a moonlit stroll along the banks of the St. Lawrence River.

Thanks for the links, Rebecca.

Cryptid Squid(s)

You're looking at a screenshot from a video taken of what's been dubbed the long-arm squid. But you also might be looking at the adult version of a bigfin squid.

The bigfin squid (Magnapinna s.) is a cryptid, meaning it is an animal for which we have a dearth of information. Specifically, we have only *officially* seen its larval, paralarval, and juvenile stages. No one can confirm that they've seen the adult stage. But we *think* we have.

Photo source: ToLweb.org


























Magnapinna is Latin for 'great fin'. This squid earned it because the fins on its head are very large, with distinctive morphology. So when researchers encountered this squid seen above (and in the video below), they saw the fins and thought, hey, we just might have found an adult Magnapinna.

They hadn't expected the long arms (elastic, and reaching a length of 15-20 times the mantle length). That's why the young ones have the name bigfin, and the adults the name long-arm. But the 'adults' have only ever been captured on film, and so have never been studied beneath the scalpel and microscope. Not until then can we confirm any link between the two cryptids.

Watch out for this video; it's flickery, has the feel of the beginnings of a horror film, and the squid reminds me at first glance of the queen alien from Alien.

Thanks for the squid, Christopher. And Happy Halloween.

False Name

Sherry sent along this cetacean in just the nick of time. We need to recover from all the spider posts. Though not strictly ugly, we still want to carve out a home here for this marine mammal.

You're looking at a False Killer Whale. Sherry takes umbrage with this name. What a bummer for the whale! I can only imagine that it was waiting with baited breath (stinking of squid and fish) to find out what common name man had given it, and was thoroughly disappointed when it found out. Even its Latin name, Pseudoorca crassidens, hints at fakery. I doubt the whale set out with any intentions of being a fake anything when first it entered the biosphere.

Crassidens means 'stout tooth' in Latin. Why not call it the Stout Tooth Whale? Or, I like Sherry's suggestion: Grim Reaper Whale (to continue with the 'killer' theme).

Photo source: Stefan Thiesen Buntrabe


















The next time you're in tropical, subtropical, or warm waters and you encounter one of these, please apologize on behalf of mankind. We really should have given them a better name.

Scientific Deduction

I've searched and searched for some evidence of vampirism in the Vampire Squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis, lit. "vampire squid from hell"). My first thought was, hey, they live in low oxygen levels (as little as 3% saturation). Maybe they 'suck' oxygen from their prey. Nope. Then I thought that since they live in a nearly aphotic (lightless) environment, maybe they're allergic to light. But no, these creatures are highly bioluminescent--they have photophores all over their body, and spray a glowing fireworks cloud in place of ink.

There's no mention of them being able to transform into a bat (or, batray?), and they do have a reflection. Obviously, they can cross running water. That leaves only the possibility that they are allergic to garlic or crosses. That, my friends, is scientific deduction.

Thanks for the photo, Ida.

Photo source: Sharenator

Squid Spawning

Here's something to piggy-back on the unnamed squid from earlier this week. It's a video of a mother squid releasing her hatchlings. If you're short on time, fast forward to about minute 3 and enjoy (the music may put you to sleep, so be careful). It's more ethereal than ugly, but it's a squid. I never knew they did it like this (this species at least). It's like mommy squid is equipped with a literal maternity blanket that she gently shakes to release her little ones.

Thanks for the video, Simone.

Squid Info Needed

I need some help with this one. Can anyone give me the common name of this squid, which has been named Stauroteuthis syrtensis? It's some sort of cirrate octopus, but I'm having trouble getting the goods on this creature.

I do know that the "suckers" on the arms are actually photophores -- light-emitting organs used to distract both predator and prey. I also know that if I encountered one of these things while in full deploy, I would never go scuba diving again. But that's not saying much: my additional marriage-weight has made my wetsuit a bit snug, making the whole issue moot.

Thanks for the photo, Ida.

UPDATE: Evidently, this squid has no common name. Anon has suggested that we come up with one. Any ideas? Leave comments.

Photo source: Sharenator

Flashing

Elizabeth sent me an article on 24 bizarre creatures of the deep. Here is but one photo from this cornucopia of ugly.

Behold the luminous eye of the Dana Octopus Squid (sounds either like some hybrid beast or a character on Spongebob Square Pants). These cephalopods are the fifth largest of the sea, and are known for the blinding flashes of light they emit as they attack their prey. These flashes of light are believed to cause confusion in the prey, and to illuminate them to facilitate the capture.

The flashes may also aid in courtship. All of you young bucks out there looking for romance may want to take a cue from this squid. Start flashing the ladies who catch your fancy.

Lola's Link to a DDD

Care for a two-fer on cephalopod videos? I know I do.

Enjoy this clip of the vampire squid from hell (taken literally from its Latin name: Vampyroteuthis infernalis). Not only does this video have oodles of info on this Diminutive Denizen of the Deep (DDD), but it comes with groovy music.

Thanks for the link, Lola. The poster isn't allowing the video to be embedded.

Tonight's Nightmare

Mexican fisherman call them "red devils." Squid-o-philes call them "humboldt squids". I call them "six-foot betentacled cannibalistic beasts with nasty beaks". My name hasn't caught on in the scientific community.

Marine biologists and fishermen alike have taken note of the invasion of the Pacific waters off the North American west coast by these giant cephalopods. I recommend watching this video. You'll see some freakish sights, some good ol' angling, and maybe, just maybe, fodder for tonight's nightmare. The only consolation is that they are short-lived. But that's small comfort when one is wrapped around your face and shredding you with its beak.

Thanks for the link, Ida.

Jubilee for Cephalopods

Senior ocean analyst Kate Wing says that global warming has caused the waters off the west coast of North America to become anoxic, which has led to massive die-offs of sea life. But there is always life in death. As Wing so beautifully put it, all this death has resulted in a "jubilee for cephalopods."

Fishermen are reporting droves of giant Humboldt squid, who have come to the edges of these anoxic zones to feast upon the dead and dying hake. If I may quote more than one of my readers: I for one welcome our squid overlords.

Thanks for the article, Ida.

Photo source: io9.com

Reflectins on a Squid

My buddy Alan sent me this one. We're big fans of the cephalopods of the world, having encountered them on dives in Mexico.

Now, I hesitate to call this ugly. In fact, given its polka-dots and diminutive tentacles, I daresay its cute. But its a mollusk, so it belongs here.

You're looking into the eye of a Hawaiian bobtail squid. Chemical and Engineering News recently reported on them, highlighting the fact that they use unusual proteins to disguise itself from nocturnal predators:

The squid has a light-producing organ on its underside that is powered by luminescent bacteria. The light emitted by these bacteria is reflected downward by stacks of silvery platelets located behind the bacteria-containing tissue.

By beaming this light downward, scientists think the squid avoids casting a shadow and forming a silhouette in the moonlit waters, thus camouflaging itself against predators at lower depths that are looking upward for prey.

The proteins used in this function are a new discovery, and have been dubbed "reflectins". But these proteins might have a value to more than just the bobtail squid. They might be usable in optical nanodevices. I'm not sure if I should root for an industrial application of these squid proteins, or if I should drop Michael Crichton an email so he can write us another best-selling novel warning us against their use.

In the meantime, Beanie Babies should really consider making a Hawaiian bobtail squid plush toy.

Thanks for the link, Alan.

Photo source: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Chomping Squid

You're looking into the face/maw/undercarriage of Promachoteuthis sulcus. It's hard to find any information on this squid, but Heather, our resident cephalopodophile, has provided us with a wealth of photos.

I'm not sure what that hammy grin is all about, or what those teeth are meant to chew on. I'm guessing apples and acorns are off the menu, though.

Thanks for the links, Heather. It would seem that trawling the depths of the Tree of Life website can yield some amazing results.

Photo source: ToLWeb.org

Gazing Upon You

I have a deep and abiding love for the vampire squid (vampyrotheuthis infernalis). My affection for it has only grown with this set of photos.

First, feel what it means to have a vampire squid gazing upon you (and look at the reflection of the camera taking the shot).

Photo source: Pharyngula
























Next, feel what it means to have the vampire squid wink at you. Check out the sphincter action. Batting one's eyes would be much less attractive if humans had to do it like this.

























Thanks for the link, Alan. You've just made the cephalopod world a lot more interesting.

Googly eyes

Some of you are going to love having another squid to add to the Ugly Repository. Behold the glass squid, also known as the cranch squid. There are 60 speices of glass squid, and I have no idea which one this is, or even whether or not it is an adult. Those eyes should give a clue, though. It was found in an undersea mountain range in the North Atlantic. But I think I may have encountered one of these on Super Mario Brothers.

Thanks for the photo, Miss Cellania.

Photo source: Neatorama

Let Us Have Our Monsters

A walker found this while taking a hike on Tasmania's Ocean Beach. It's being reported as a giant squid (6.5 feet length on the mantle), but I think it might be a colossal squid.

As a boy I remember the lore and myth surrounding these massive cephalopods. But it seems lately that the veil of mystery has been pulled back ever since the Japanese caught a live one on film. Now their washing up on shore in increasing numbers. It's like the mollusks have given up -- the cat's out of the bag, why bother staying hidden.

Can't science just let us have our monsters?

Photo source: Yahoo!

Vamp Squid

Are you prepared for one of the coolest creatures ever? You know of my love for the name idolomantis diabolica. Well, Heather supplied me with a wealth of information on yet another perfectly named creature: vampyroteuthis infernalis, which literally means 'vampire squid from hell.' How about them beans?

The vampire squid is a small, deep-sea cephalopod with a variety of adaptations that have allowed it to survive in pitch blackness and in low oxygen zones. To pick just a few: instead of spraying ink, it sprays globs of glowing goo (sounds like a band name...), instead of changing colors, it can light up its entire body, in place of strength, it moves with amazing speed. Ah, so much to share about this monster. Read up on them! You'll be treated with such vocabulary as hemocyanin, photophores, stratocysts, and bioluminescence.

Also, watch this video of one in action.

Thanks for the new monster, Heather. You're performing a great service for 'head-foot' mollusks the world over!

Photo source: Brad Seibel, via TolWeb.org