[Featured]: Architeuthis (Giant Squid) Sightings

[tonmo]

Fanstastic!

 

[erich orser]

I was going to comment on the immense mantle-length based on the number of people lined-up behind, then noticed how far back they were standing and how tiny most of them were.

 

[OB]

It appears close to 6 feet/ 1.80 meters, still pretty big in my book. I wonder whether that's rope tied around it, or that it was cut into sections and reconstructed for the photograph...

 

[Mola Mola]

Is it a Giant Squid, or just a Giant Squid (Big squid of some different species)

 

[OB]

Outside of a good postmortem being the most fun, DNA analysis is really the easiest clencher. By the looks of it this is Architeuthis; size and morphology seem to match well. We're missing some vital bits of info, however, such as the shape of the caudal fins, the morphology of the suckers etc. I'd put my money on it, but then I'm slightly intoxicated, following our annual company Christmas booze-up

 

[joe chow]

Another pic of this squid

I found more news on ETTODAY.com
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/061220/17/89aj.html

This squid weights 211 kilo(470lb), circumference 1.5 meter, body length 3 meter.
It was caught 2 months ago in the Pacific Ocean about 900 nautical miles NW of Midway(35d30m lat, 168d20m long)
It was caught with a fishing spear when fisherman saw it surfaced water. It stayed in the freezer for 2 months.
It was sold for about $530 USD at the fish market.
Researcher marine biologist Mr. CC Wu of Taiwan Dept of Fish and Game identiied it as a giant squid.
He said the squid's body muscle contain much amonia. Not good eating.

 

[tonmo]

Unfortunately Dr. Steve O'Shea is on vacation until Jan 11th (although fortunate for him!)... he'd be enjoying this news for sure (perhaps he is).

 

[Mola Mola]

Did someone buy it to eat?

 

[OB]

Architeuthis is inedible to the extreme of being repulsive: its ammonia content (for natural buoancy) is such, that consumption as food is absolutely out of the question. I hope it found its way into a museum.

 

[mmmccrthy3000]

Tampa's Museum of Science and Industry has "Monsters of the Deep" until the end of April, and it includes a 32' giant squid model. Unfortunately, it'll be gone before TONMOCon, but if anyone will be in the area...

http://www.mosi.org/monstersofthedeep.html

 

[OB]

Good stuff, though not very realistic I'm afraid I won't be over before the con...

 

[mmmccrthy3000]

I live in Tampa, so I'll try to post some pics for further analysis at a later date. I must agree with you so far, though...

 

[Toren]

Manatee = monster

 

[monty]

manatee = mermaid

(just ask Sam and Max, Freelance Police!)

 

[sorseress]

dugong=mermaid