Revealing the mystery of giant squid

Scientists found that all the giant squid in the world 'basically look the same' despite the appearance that looks different.

According to a new study, the genetic diversity in giant squid (Architeuthis scientific name) is particularly small, much smaller than in other marine species that have been studied.

Researcher Tom Gilbert from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) said: 'The finding is amazing'.

Giant squid are mysterious creatures. They reside deep in the ocean floor, making it difficult for scientists to observe them in natural habitats. In fact, until 2004, no one had ever observed a giant living squid in the wild. The first video of a giant squid that is still alive until this year has just been announced. Animals seem to grow to 18 meters in length and are carnivores, often hunting fish and other squid.

Scientists estimate that giant ink can be up to 18 meters long. (Photo: Live Science)

Much of what scientists now know about giant squid usually comes from dead squid that drifted to the coast or in the whale's stomach (giant squid is obviously the favorite 'drink' of fish. elephants). No one had previously published any data about the giant genome's genome.

Gilbert and his colleagues wanted to find out if the gene could reveal anything about the life of giant squid, especially the size and diversity of living communities. Researchers do not even know for sure how many giant squid species are in the wild, though the estimated number could reach 21 species.

Mr. Gilbert's group extracted DNA from 43 soft tissue samples of giant squid. They analyzed DNA of tiny cell structures called mitochondria (or mADN ). These structures help cells convert energy into a usable form and their DNA is separate from the DNA in a cell's nucleus. mADN is passed from mother to child.

The researchers found that the mADN sequencing process was particularly similar in all specimens. These samples also exhibit less genetic diversity than 20 times the normal and unstructured common inks.

The results are revealed, all giant squid are in one species and belong to the same large community. The geographical distance does not seem to be the barrier they mate, ie any giant ink in the world is the potential mate of other giant squid.

However, according to Gilbert, the amazing thing is that the basic giant squid may differ in body shape and life around the world, except in the polar regions.'This is extremely difficult to explain,' said Gilbert.

Researchers are currently trying to validate the results through the use of giant ink's nuclear DNA, to eliminate the possibility of mADN similarity due to evolutionary mutations. If the results are the same, they say, the giant squid may have undergone a recent population expansion process and the young squid larvae have spread over a wide range, randomly traveling around the globe.