Most of what we know about giant squids has been obtained from studying carcasses that fishermen bring in, or that wash up on beaches. Recently, DNA evidence was able to reveal more about giant squids. They have an extremely low genetic diversity, but all appear to be part of one interbreeding species (instead of three, as had been previously believed). For this genetic homogeneity to occur, squids must travel long distances. By studying the beaks of adult squids, it was determined that adult squids did not do much traveling, and therefore younger squids must migrate with ocean currents. Also, small diversity is generally linked to small populations, but the giant squid population is believed to be in the hundreds of millions. These results baffled scientists, who have yet to explain population growth and migration. They are working with other scientists in an attempt to find these answers.
NOS Themes:
Science is collaborative
Science is subject to debate and tentative
Science is based on evidence
Role of motivation and curiosity
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/349053/description/Giant_squid_population_is_one_big_happy_species
Sam S.
Hour 1
This is interesting. I did some further research about giant squids, and found out that the largest one ever recorded was 43 feet long and weighed 1 ton. I also learned that some scientists think there may be as many was 8 separate species of giant squid, which is just more evidence showing how mysterious and unknown these species are to us today.
ReplyDeletehttp://ocean.si.edu/giant-squid
Very interesting article. I really hope I never come across one of them. On second thought, people don't see them too often. I just don't know if the hundred million estimated pop. is high or low so I can't make any judgement on that aspect.
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