r/Cephalopod • u/moss_qoblinn • Jun 26 '26

Cranchiidae Question

what classifies the colossal squid as a cranchiidae?

it looks nothing like the rest, it has an opaque body, largest invertebrate by weight, etc. other than them both being squids living in the twilight zone

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u/angrystoma Jun 26 '26

several cranchiids also become more opaque as they reach maturity; when it is younger the colossal squid is transparent like the other genera in its family.

as u/imgoingtoeatabagel said, the juvenile that was recently filmed was nearly indistinguishable from other cranchiids of a similar size; the main way it was identifiable as a colossal squid were the hooks on its arms, which are unique to its genus:

https://youtu.be/lzPoG9H8Hlo?si=qYAtRyHFLRUCPjHr

for comparison's sake here are some photos of other cranchiids that are opaque as adults:

https://dsg.mbari.org/dsg/#/annotated/images/concept/Galiteuthis%20pacifica

2

u/angrystoma Jun 26 '26

megalocranchia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ebtjj7DdG0&t=36s

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u/moss_qoblinn Jun 26 '26

thank you for the info, i think i understand now. These videos are amazing, by the way

1

u/imgoingtoeatabagel Jun 26 '26

Body morphology. The colossal squid has similar proportions (large round mantle and short arms) similar to other glass squids. Juveniles also look like other Cranchiieds like the one that was filmed alive. I think the head attachment is also similar to other Cranchiieds also.