The mystery of thousands of Humboldt squid washed ashore

Live Science magazine (USA) reported that over the past week, thousands of squid belonging to giant squid Humboldt (scientific name Dosidicus gigas) drifted to the coast in Monterey Bay, California, USA.

Determination of squid located in Monterey Bay Beach - (Photo: Live Science)

Scientists have reported that the phenomenon of Humboldt ink died in large numbers in the area over the past decades, but the cause is still a mystery.

The corpse of Humboldt squashed the beaches after the tidal recession and stretched for nearly 20km from the Aptos beach area to Watsonville, in Santa Cruz County, California, USA. Most ink is 0.6m long and weighs 1.2kg or more.

Currently the most reliable hypothesis given by scientists is that they are likely to be affected by toxic algae.

"During this time, the algae blooms in blooms that form the 'red tide' phenomenon and release extremely powerful domoic acid toxins, which leads to ink being disoriented, swimming leisurely on the shore. they will die , "marine biologist William Gilly of Stanford University (USA) told Live Science.

When the Humboldt squid ran aground, the locals tried to bring it back
but they still lose their way, swimming back to the beach - (Photo: Live Science)

Previous studies have shown that humans and lower-level animals such as sea lions, if eaten by domoic acid-contaminated oysters, will be 'destroyed by the brain's memory center' , leads to memory loss and an attitude of behaving strangely. However, they have never studied the above symptoms if humans ingest ink contaminated with domoic acid.

Marine biologist William Gilly holds a squid
Humboldt after it when stranded - (Photo: Live Science)

'Red tide' releases domoic acid poison - (Photo: Live Science)