Successfully decode the genome of the mysterious giant squid

The first true picture of the mysterious giant squid was taken in 2005, but since then not too much information has been revealed about this mollusk.

A study published on Giga Science says the giant squid possesses a huge genome, estimated at more than 2.7 billion DNA base pairs, while in humans it is 3 billion.

Caroline Albertin, co-author of the study, found that the Hox gene and the Wnt signaling protein found in most animals are also found in the giant squid genome, suggesting that its size is not large. from the process of copying the entire genome.

'The giant squid genome has a structure very similar to that of other animals,' says Albertin, 'which means we can better understand humanity itself through the study of exotic animals. This fuck '.

Giant ink photograph taken in 2005 in Japan.(Photo: Tsunemi Kubodera).

The researcher also found that the giant squid genome contains more than 100 genes in the protocadherin family, a gene that is hardly found in the genomes of countless other invertebrates.

Protocadherin is important in the connection of a complex brain. 'Protocadherin is seen as a witness to innovation in vertebrates, so we were really surprised to find more than 100 genes in the octopus genome. That is no more convincing proof for the way we develop complex brain. We also found similar amplification of the protocadherin genes in giant squid, ' Albertin said.

In 2015, Albertin led the team to sequence the first genome in mollusks. She thinks there is still a lot of work to be done to understand how an ink can reach this size.

'The genome is the first basis for answering a lot of questions about the biology of this peculiar creature,' Albert Albertin points out, as they possessed the largest brain of any animal. backbone, behavior and instant camouflage.

The researcher also suggested that cephalopods (mollusks include most of the marine animals with symmetrical body features, prominent head, have many tentacles developed from the legs of whole molluscs. aquatic) have evolved independently of vertebrates, although they have many complex and complex features.

"By comparing their genomes, we can question whether cephalopods and vertebrates were formed in the same way or in different ways ," she said.

"Deciphering this giant squid genome is an important turning point in understanding the evolution of a cephalopod ," she concluded. "It helps us understand how these novel genes have arisen. in evolution and development '.

Giant squid has long been a topic of horror lore.(Photo: Alphonse de Neuville).

According to the Smithsonian, the largest giant squid ever recorded was more than 13m long and weighed over 900kg.

In June 2019, the US Ocean and Atmospheric Administration first discovered the giant squid. Biologists, after watching the rare footage of the process, were shocked.

Because of their mysterious life, the giant squid is often associated with myths from ancient times. Based on data from the American Museum of Natural History, the Charlotte Observatory has noted that many ancient sailor schools mistakenly thought this giant was a mermaid or some mythical creature.

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