List of giant squid specimens and sightings
This list of giant squid specimens and sightings is a comprehensive timeline of recorded human encounters with members of the genus Architeuthis, popularly known as giant squid. It includes animals that were caught by fishermen, found stranded ashore or floating at the water's surface, recovered (in whole or in part) from sperm whales and other predatory species, as well as confirmed giant squid sightings at sea. The list also covers specimens incorrectly assigned to the genus Architeuthis in original descriptions or later publications.
The list generally follows "Records of Architeuthis Specimens from Published Reports" (2001), which was compiled by Michael J. Sweeney of the Smithsonian Institution and includes records through 1999, with additional information taken from other sources (see References).
Number of specimens
According to Guerra et al. (2006), 592 confirmed giant squid specimens were known as of the end of 2004. Of these, 306 came from the Atlantic Ocean, 264 from the Pacific Ocean, 20 from the Indian Ocean, and 2 from the Mediterranean Sea. The figures for specimens collected in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans further broke down as follows: 126 in the northwestern Atlantic, 148 in the northeastern Atlantic, 6 in the southwestern Atlantic, 26 in the southeastern Atlantic, 28 in the northwestern Pacific, 43 in the northeastern Pacific, 183 in the southwestern Pacific, and 10 in the southeastern Pacific (Guerra et al., 2006).
Guerra & González (2009) reported that the total number of recorded giant squid specimens stood at 624. Guerra et al. (2011) gave an updated figure of 677 specimens (see table below). Paxton (2016) put the total at around 700 as of 2015, of which c. 460 had been measured in some way. Around 30 of these specimens are exhibited at museums and aquaria worldwide (Guerra et al., 2011). The Centro del Calamar Gigante in Luarca, Spain, had by far the largest collection on public display, but many of the museum's 14 or so specimens were destroyed during a storm on 2 February 2014 ([Anonymous], 2014b; [Anonymous], 2014c).
Region | Number of specimens | % of total | Found stranded or floating (%) | From fishing (%) | From predators (%) | Method of capture unknown |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NW Atlantic | 148 | 21.9 | 61 | 30 | 1 | 8 |
NE Atlantic | 152 | 22.5 | 49 | 31 | 15 | 5 |
SW Atlantic | 6 | 0.9 | 50 | 16 | 1 | 33 |
SE Atlantic | 60* | 8.9 | 10 | 60 | 17 | 13 |
NW Pacific | 30* | 4.4 | 30 | 35 | 30 | 5 |
NE Pacific | 43 | 6.4 | 7 | 56 | 30 | 7 |
SW Pacific | 183 | 27.0 | 12 | 41 | 42 | 5 |
SE Pacific | 10 | 1.5 | 90 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
Indian Ocean | 33** | 4.8 | 6 | 94 | 0 | 0 |
W Mediterranean | 3 | 0.4 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Equatorial/tropical | 9 | 1.3 | 11 | 44 | 45 | 0 |
All regions | 677 | 100.0 |
- * Underestimates according to Guerra et al. (2011).
- ** Includes records from Durban, South Africa.
Size considerations
Giant squid size, and particularly total length, has often been misreported and exaggerated. Reports of specimens reaching or even exceeding 18 m (59 ft) in length are widespread, but no animals approaching this size have been scientifically documented in recent times, despite the hundreds of specimens available for study. It is now thought likely that such lengths were achieved by great lengthening of the two long feeding tentacles, analogous to stretching elastic bands, or resulted from improper measurement methods such as pacing (O'Shea & Bolstad, 2008).
Based on the examination of more than 130 specimens, as well as beaks recovered from sperm whales (which do not exceed the size of those found in the largest complete specimens), the giant squid is not known to attain a mantle length (ML) in excess of 2.25 m (7.4 ft) (O'Shea & Bolstad, 2008). Including the head and arms but excluding the tentacles, it very rarely exceeds 5 m (16 ft) (O'Shea & Bolstad, 2008). Maximum total length, when measured relaxed post mortem, is estimated at 13 m (43 ft) for females and 10 m (33 ft) for males, from the posterior end of the mantle and fins to the tip of the two long tentacles (O'Shea, 2003b).
Giant squid exhibit sexual dimorphism. Maximum weight is estimated at 275 kg (606 lb) for females and 150 kg (330 lb) for males, though discredited weights of up to 1 tonne (2,200 lb) can be found in older literature (O'Shea, 2003b).
List of giant squid
Records are listed chronologically in descending order and numbered accordingly. Specimens incorrectly assigned to the genus Architeuthis are not counted and are instead denoted with an asterisk (*) and highlighted in pink. Records that cover multiple giant squid specimens, or remains of more than a single animal (e.g. two lower beaks), are highlighted in grey.
- Date – Date on which the specimen was first captured, found, or observed. Where this is unknown, the date on which the specimen was first reported is listed instead and noted as such. All times are local.
- Location – Site where the specimen was found, including coordinates and depth information where available. Given as it appears in the cited reference(s), except where additional information is provided in brackets.
- Oceanic sector – The quadrant of a major ocean in which the specimen was found (see Oceanic sectors).
- Method of capture – Method by which the specimen was recovered or observed. Given as it appears in the cited reference(s), although "washed ashore" encompasses all stranded animals.
- Identification – Species- or genus-level taxon to which the specimen was originally assigned. Given as it appears in the cited reference(s). Listed chronologically if specimen was re-identified. Where only a vernacular name has been applied to the specimen (e.g. "giant squid"), this is given instead.
- Material cited – Original specimen material that was recovered or observed. Names of anatomical features are retained from original sources (e.g. "jaws" may be given instead of the preferred "beak").
- Material saved – Material that was kept after examination and not discarded (if any).
- Sex – Sex and sexual maturity of the specimen.
- Size and measurements – Data relating to measurements and counts. Abbreviations used are based on standardised acronyms in teuthology (see Measurements), with the exception of several found in older references. Measurements are given as they appear in the cited reference(s), with both arithmetic precision and original units preserved (metric conversions are shown alongside imperial measurements). It should be noted that some of the more extreme lengths and weights found in older literature have been discredited.
- Repository – Institution in which the specimen material is deposited. The acronyms used are those defined by Leviton et al. (1985) and Leviton & Gibbs (1988) (see Repositories). Where the acronym is unknown, the full repository name is listed.
- Main references – The most important sources, which provide specific data on a particular specimen. These are usually primary sources.
- Additional references – Less important sources that merely refer to the specimen without imparting additional information. Includes unobtainable references such as old newspaper articles and personal correspondence.
- Notes – Miscellaneous information, often including individuals involved in the specimen's recovery and subsequent treatment and any dissections or scientific analyses carried out on the specimen.
# | Date | Location | Oceanic sector | Method of capture | Identification | Material cited | Material saved | Sex | Size and measurements | Repository | Main references | Additional references | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1545 | near Malmö, Denmark [since 1658 Malmö has been part of Sweden] | NEA | Found washed ashore; "caught live" [fide Muus (1959:170)] | "Japetus Steenstrup delivered a lecture in 1854 with a strong suggestion that the 'soemunk' was an Architeuthis." [fide Muus (1959)]; Architeuthis monachus Steenstrup in Harting, 1860 | Entire? | Undetermined | WL?: ~3 m | transcript of Steenstrup's 1854 lecture; Lönnberg (1891:36) | Nordgård (1928:71); Muus (1959:170) | Muus (1959) writes: "From contemporary descriptions with accompanying woodcuts it appears that the animal was regarded as a 'soemunk'." | ||
2 | Autumn 1639 | Thingøresand, Nordresyssel, Iceland | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | One arm | BL+HL: ~6 ft (1.8 m); AL: ~3 ft (0.91 m); TL: ~16–18 ft (4.9–5.5 m); BC: ~3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) | Thingore monastery | Steenstrup (1849:[9]); Steenstrup (1898:[272]) | Jónsson (1639); Olafsen (1772:716); Verrill (1875b:84); Robson (1933:691); Muus (1959:170) | ||
3 | ~15 October 1673 | Dingle-I-cosh, Kerry, Ireland | NEA | Found floating at surface, in process of washing ashore, alive | Dinoteuthis proboscideus More, 1875; Architeuthis monachus [fide Verrill] | Entire | Two arms, buccal mass, and suckers taken to Dublin | TL: ~11 ft (3.4 m) + 9 ft (2.7 m); AL: ~6–8 ft (1.8–2.4 m); "liver": 30 lb (14 kg) | Undetermined [NMI?]; holotype of Dinoteuthis proboscideus More, 1875 | More (1875a:4526); Verrill (1875c:214) | Massy (1909:30); Ritchie (1918:137); Robson (1933:692); Rees (1950:40); Hardy (1956:285); Collins (1998:489) | Found by James Steward. | |
4 | 1680 | Ulvangen Fjord, Alstadhoug parish, Norway | NEA | Not stated | Entire? | Pontoppidan (1752:34?/344?) | Steenstrup (1857:[18]); Grieg (1933:19) | ||||||
5 | 1770 | Jutland, Denmark | NEA | Unknown | Muss (1959) | Ellis (1998:257) | |||||||
6 | 27 May 1785 | Grand Banks, Newfoundland | NWA | Found floating dead | Architeuthis sp. | BL: 7 ft (2.1 m) | Thomas (1795:xx); Aldrich (1992:457) | Data from Capt. G. Cartwright. | |||||
7 | November or December 1790 | Arnarnaesvik, Modruvalle, Iceland | NEA | Found washed ashore | Entire | None; used for cod bait | "longest tentacula": >3 fathoms (5.5 m); "body right from the head": 3.5 fathoms (6.4 m); "so thick that a fullgrown man could hardly embrace it with his arms" | Steenstrup 1849:[11]); Steenstrup (1898:[276]) | 1792 diary of Svein Paulsson (in library of Literature Society of Iceland, in Copenhagen); Verrill (1875b:84); Robson (1933:691) | Called Kolkrabbe ('coal-crab') by local people. | |||
8 | 17-- (reported 1795) | near St. John's harbour, Newfoundland | NWA | Unknown | Architeuthis sp. | Thomas (1795:xx); Aldrich (1992:457) | |||||||
9 | 17-- | Grand Banks, Newfoundland | NWA | Unknown | Architeuthis sp. | Aldrich (1992:457) | |||||||
10 | 1798 | Denmark | NEA | Unknown | Packard (1873) | Ellis (1998:257) | |||||||
11 | 1802 | off Tasmania | SWP | EL?: 6–7 ft (1.8–2.1 m) | Péron (1807) | Ellis (1998:257) | |||||||
12 | 1817 | Atlantic Ocean | ? | WT: 400 lb (180 kg) | Quoy & Gaimard (1824) | Ellis (1998:257) | |||||||
13 | December 1853 | Raabjerg beach, North Jutland, coast of Skagerack, Denmark | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis monachus | Entire | Jaws only; radula discarded after poor preservation; jaws cut out; portion used for bait; remainder buried after 2 days | 80–85 kg; jaw measurements Steenstrup (1898:[270]) | ZMUC; holotype of Architeuthis monachus Steenstrup, 1857 [fide Kristensen & Knudsen (1983:222)] | Steenstrup (1855:[14]); arting (1860:11); Steenstrup (1898:[258], pl.); Kristensen & Knudsen (1983:222) | Steenstrup (1857:[18]); Gervais (1875:91); Verrill (1875b:84); Posselt (1890:144); Nordgård (1928:71) | "Architeuthis monachus" Steenstrup = nomen nudum [fide Robson (1933:690)]. | |
14 | 5 November 1855 | western part of the Atlantic Ocean (31°N 76°W / 31°N 76°W); Bahamas (Captain Hygom) [fide Ellis (1998:258)] | NWA | Not stated; presumably found floating at surface | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857; Architeuthis titan [fide Verrill (1875)] | Arm, suckers, and gladius | Arm, suckers, and gladius | Male | WL: 377 cm; AL: 1/2 whole length [fide Steenstrup]; beak measurements; GL: 6 ft (1.8 m) [fide Verrill citing Harting] | ZMUC; holotype of Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 [fide Kristensen & Knudsen (1983:222)]; ZMB Moll. 34798 (single sucker) | Steenstrup (1857:[18]); Steenstrup (1882:[160]); Steenstrup (1898:[260, 298], pls. 3–4); Kristensen & Knudsen (1983:222); Glaubrecht & Salcedo-Vargas (2000:273) | Verrill (1875b:84); Posselt (1890:144); Toll & Hess (1981:753) | Obtained by Capt. V. Hygom. Japetus Steenstrup donated single sucker to Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin, which was incorporated into collection in 1883 according to catalogue entry. |
15 | December 1855 | Aalbaekbugten, Denmark | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire? | Undetermined | None | Muus (1959:170) | Posselt (1890:144) | |||
16 | Unknown (reported 1860) | Unknown | ? | Not stated | Architeuthis dux [fide Harting (1860)]; Architeuthis hartingii (Verrill, 1875) [fide Verrill (1880a)]; nomen nudum [fide Dell (1970:27)] | Jaws, buccal mass, detached arm suckers | Jaws, buccal mass, detached arm suckers | ASD: 1.05 in (2.7 cm) | Utrecht University Natural History Museum; holotype of Loligo hartingii Verrill, 1875. Harting specimen No. 1 | Harting (1860:2, figs. 1–8); Verrill (1875b:85); Kent (1875:491); Verrill (1880a:240); Pfeffer (1912:37) | Dell (1970:27) | ||
17 | 1860 | between Hillswick and Scalloway, Shetland, Scotland | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis monachus Steenstrup, 1857; Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 [fide Stephen (1962:154)] | Undetermined | TL: 16 ft (4.9 m); AL: ~8 ft (2.4 m); BL: ~7 ft (2.1 m) | Jeffreys (1869:124); Stephen (1944:263) | Pfeffer (1912:26); Rees (1950:40); Collins (1998:489) | ||||
18 | 30 November ?1861 [=1860 Rees & Maul] | about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Teneriffe, Canary Islands | NEA | Found floating at surface | Loligo bouyeri [fide Crosse & Fischer] | Entire, decomposed | None | BL: 15–18 ft (4.6–5.5 m) | None | Bouyer (1861); Crosse & Fischer (1862); Kent (1874:180); Verrill (1875b:86) | Kent (1875:491); Gervais (1875:93); Rees & Maul (1956:266) | Observed only by officers of the French gunboat Alecton; sketch made. | |
19 | 1862 | North Atlantic | ? | Unknown | Crosse & Fischer (1862) | Ellis (1998:258) | |||||||
* | Unknown; 1870? | Cape Sable, Nova Scotia, Canada | NWA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis megaptera Verrill, 1878 [=Sthenoteuthis pteropus (Steenstrup, 1855) fide Dunning (1998:428)] | Entire | Entire | BL: 14 in (36 cm); BL+HL: 19 in (48 cm); EL: 43 in (110 cm); TL: 22–24 in (56–61 cm); AL: 6.5–8.5 in (17–22 cm); FW: 13.5 in (34 cm); FL: 6 in (15 cm); extensive additional measurements | NSMC; catalog no. 1870-Z-2; holotype of Architeuthis megaptera Verrill, 1878 [fide Macalaster (1977:14). Verrill specimen No. 21 | Verrill (1878:207); Verrill (1880a:193) | Non-architeuthid. Collected by J.M. Jones. | ||
20 | September 1870 | Waimarama, east coast of Wellington, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Entire | Beak | BL+HL: 10 ft 5 in (3.18 m); BC: 6 ft (1.8 m); AL: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | In Kirk's possession; Kirk specimen No. 1 | Kirk (1880:310); Verrill (1881:398) | Meinertzhagen letter 27 June 1879 to Kirk; Pfeffer (1912:32); Dell (1952:98) | Mr. Meinertzhagen sent beak, saved by third party (unidentified), to Kirk. Natives called specimen a "taniwha". | ||
21 | 1870 (winter) | Lamaline, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis monachus of Steenstrup | Two specimens; entire? | Two; EL: 40 ft (12 m) and EL: 47 ft (14 m) | Unknown; Verrill specimens No. 8 & 9 | Murray (1874a:162); Verrill (1875a:36); Verrill (1880a:187) | Harvey (1874:69); Kent (1874:182) | Data from Mr. Harvey letter citing Rev. M. Gabriel's statement to Harvey. | ||
22 | October 1871 | Grand Banks, Newfoundland | NWA | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis princeps Verrill, 1875 | Entire; part used as bait | Jaws obtained from Baird for examination by Verrill; lower jaw is syntype of Architeuthis princeps Verrill, 1875b | BL: ~15 ft (4.6 m); BD: 19 in (48 cm); AL (mutilated): ~10 ft (3.0 m); AD: 7 in (18 cm); AC: 22 in (56 cm); beak; BC: 4 ft 8 in (1.42 m); WT: 2,000 lb (910 kg) | Jaws at NMNH [fide Verrill (1874a:158)][no longer extant?]. Verrill specimen No. 1 | Packard (1873:91); Verrill (1874a:158); Verrill (1874b:167); Verrill (1875b:79, fig. 27); Verrill (1880a:181, 210, pl. 18 fig. 3) | Verrill (1880a:178); Pfeffer (1912:20) | Taken by Capt. Campbell, Schooner B.D. Haskins. | |
23 | 1871 | Wellington, New Zealand | SWP | EL?: 16 ft (4.9 m) | Dell (1952) | Ellis (1998:258) | |||||||
24 | 1872 (autumn or winter) | Coomb's Cove, Newfoundland | NWA | Found alive in shallow water, having been driven ashore in heavy sea | Entire; "one long arm missing" (later changed to both present) | BL: 10 ft (3.0 m); BD: 3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m); TL: 42 ft (13 m); AL: ~6 ft (1.8 m); AD: 9 in (23 cm); skin + flesh: 2.25 in (5.7 cm) thick; EL: 52 ft (16 m) | Unknown; Verrill specimen No. 3 | Verrill (1874a:159); Verrill (1874b:167); Verrill (1875a:35); Verrill (1880a:183) | Owen (1881:163) | Specimen had a reddish colour. Verrill's data taken from newspaper accounts and 15/VI/1873 T.R. Bennett letter to Prof. Baird. more Verrill (1880a:186) states his No. 6 is same specimen as No. 3. [This cannot be correct, since capture date for No. 6 is clearly stated as December 1874 by Verrill (1875c:213).] | |||
25 | December 1872 | Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | ?Architeuthis dux [fide Verrill (1874a)]; ?Architeuthis harveyi [fide Verrill (1880a)] | Entire (damaged arms) | Pair of jaws and two suckers | TL: 32 ft (9.8 m); AL: ~10 ft (3.0 m); BL: ~14 ft (4.3 m) (estimate); BC: 6 ft (1.8 m) | NMNH; Verrill specimen No. 4 (1875a:33); and possibly also Verrill specimen No. 11 (1875b:79) | Verrill (1874a:160); Verrill (1874b:167); Verrill (1875a:33); Verrill (1875b:79); Verrill (1880a:184, 187, pl. 16 figs. 5–6, pl. 25 fig. 5) | Pfeffer (1912:19) | Material from Rev. A. Munn, through Prof. Baird to Verrill. | |
26 | Unknown (reported 1873) | North Atlantic Ocean | NWA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis princeps Verrill, 1875 | Upper and lower jaws | Upper and lower jaws | Beaks | Syntype of Architeuthis princeps Verrill, 1875b; Verrill specimen No. 10. Presented by Capt. N.E. Atwood of Provincetown, Massachusetts to EI [fide Verrill (1875b)]; PASS [fide Verrill (1880a)]. | Packard (1873:91, fig.); Verrill (1875a:22); Verrill (1875b:79, figs. 25–26); Verrill (1880a:187, 210, pls. 17–20) | Verrill states Packard's illustration is inaccurate. | ||
27 | 1873 | Yedo fishmarket, Japan | NWP | Purchased | Megateuthis martensii Hilgendorf, 1880; Nomen spurium [fide Pfeffer (1912:31)] | 'Entire', missing head, "abdominal sac", ends of tentacles and arms [fide Owen (1881:163)] | Not specified | ML: 186 cm; WL: 414 cm; HL: 41 cm; AL(longest): 197 cm; ASD: 1.5 cm (with 37 cusps); EyD: 200 mm | ZMB Moll. 34716 + 38980, holotype of Megateuthis martensii Hilgendorf, 1880 [34716a: eyeball, 200 mm diameter, dry; 34716b: pieces of arm and gladius, suckers; 34716c: larger piece of arm with suckers; 38980: four suckers from holotype arm piece] | Hilgendorf (1880:67); Pfeffer (1912:31); Sasaki (1929:227); Glaubrecht & Salcedo-Vargas (2000:276) | Owen (1881:163) | Second specimen from Tokyo fishmarket seen by Franz Martin Hilgendorf and used for description of gladius. Of other specimen, Hilgendorf saved assorted parts: "Theile eines Armes, die Hüllen des Auges, und ein Bruchstück des Schulpes" (Glaubrecht & Salcedo-Vargas, 2000:276). Model of specimen placed in Exhibition of Fishery in Berlin. | |
28 | 26 October 1873 | off Portugal Cove, Conception Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found floating at surface | Megaloteuthis harveyi Kent, 1874; Architeuthis monachus of Steenstrup [fide Verrill (1875a:34)]; ?Architeuthis harveyi [fide Verrill (1880a:181)] | Entire | One tentacle; one arm discarded | (see Verrill, 1880a:220) TL (incomplete): 19 ft (5.8 m); TSD: 1.25 in (3.2 cm); TC: 3.5 in (8.9 cm); additional measurements based on photograph (1875a:34); additional club measurement from Harvey letter (1875b:79); BL: ~10 ft (3.0 m) | YPM?; holotype of Megaloteuthis harveyi Kent, 1874; Verrill specimen No. 2 | Harvey (1874:67, pl.); Murray (1874a:161); Murray (1874b:120); Verrill (1874a:159); Verrill (1874b:167); Kent (1874:178, 182); Verrill (1875a:34); Verrill (1875b:78); Kent (1875:32); Verrill (1880a:181); Verrill (1882b:74) | Owen (1881:161); Pfeffer (1912:19); Aldrich (1992:457); "February Naturalist pg. 120"; "13 December Field"; "6 December 1873 American Sportsman" | Found floating at surface, struck by Mr. T. Picot from boat, attacked boat. | |
29 | 25 November? 1873 | Logy Bay (~3 miles from St. John's), Newfoundland | NWA | In herring net | ?Architeuthis monachus of Steenstrup [fide Verrill (1874a)]; Architeuthis harveyi (Kent, 1874) [fide Verrill (1880a)] | Entire (badly mutilated, head severed, etc.) | Miscellaneous parts obtained from Rev. M. Harvey (gladius and ?) | (see 1880a:220) BL: ~7 ft (2.1 m); BC: 5–6 ft (1.5–1.8 m); caudal fin: 22 in (56 cm) broad; TL: 24 ft (7.3 m); TC: 2.5 in (6.4 cm); AL (all 8): 6 ft (1.8 m); AC (base): 10 in (25 cm), 9 in (23 cm), 8 in (20 cm), 7 in (18 cm); ASC: ~100; CSC: ~160; club description; extensive description of reconstructed parts | In Verrill's possession; Verrill specimen No. 5 | Verrill (1874a:160); Verrill (1874b:167); Kent (1874:181); Verrill (1875a:23); Kent (1875:32) Verrill (1876:236); Verrill (1880a:184, 197, pls 13–16a); Pfeffer (1912:18); Aldrich (1992:457, fig. 1A,B) | Harvey in Morning Chronicle (newspaper) of St. John's; Maritime Monthly Magazine of St. John's, March 1874; several newspapers | Verrill's data from letter to Dr. Dawson from M. Harvey. Photographs made of a) entire body, somewhat mutilated anteriorly; b) head and 10 arms. Poorly preserved; first in brine, then in alcohol. Capture date given as December several times, then as November several times and as November 25 by Aldrich (1992:457). | |
30 | Unknown (reported 1874) | Unknown; South-American coast [fide Kent (1874:179)] | SWA? | Not stated | Architeuthis monachus [fide Kent (1874:178)]; Plectoteuthis grandis Owen, 1881; Architeuthis sp.? (grandis) [fide Verrill (1881:401)]; nomen nudum [fide Dell (1970:27)] | Sessile arm | Arm | AL: 9 ft (2.7 m); AC: 11 in (28 cm) | BMNH; holotype of Plectoteuthis grandis Owen, 1881 | Kent (1874:179); Verrill (1875b:86); Kent (1875:493); Owen (1881:156, pls. 33b–35); Verrill (1881:400); Verrill (1882b:72); Steenstrup (1882:[160]); Pfeffer (1912:37) | Dell (1970:27) | ||
31 | 1874 | Buøy, Foldenfjord, Norway | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux | Entire | None | WL: ~4 m | Grieg (1933:19) | Nordgård (1928:71) | |||
32 | 10 May 1874 | Indian Ocean (8°50′N 84°5′E / 8.833°N 84.083°E) | NIO | Unknown | The Times (July 4, 1874); Lane (1974:205) | Ellis (1998:258) | Seen from the steamers Strathowen and Pearl. | ||||||
33 | 2 November 1874 | on beach, St. Paul Island, Indian Ocean (38°43′S 77°32′E / 38.717°S 77.533°E) | SIO | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis mouchezi Velain (1875:1002) [nomen nudum]; Mouchezis sancti-pauli Velain (1877:81) | Entire; found in advanced state of decay | Tentacle(s?) and buccal mass | EL: 7.15 m | MNHN; catalog nos. 3-2-658 + 3-2-659 (tentacular clubs) [fide Lu et al. (1995)]; holotype of Mouchezis sancti-pauli Velain, 1877 | Velain (1875:1002); Velain (1877:81 & 83, fig. 8); Velain (1878:81 & 83, fig. 8); Owen (1881:159); Pfeffer (1912:32) | Gervais (1875:88); Verrill (1875c:213) | ||
34 | December 1874 | Grand Bank, Fortune Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis princeps | Entire, except for tail (cut up for dog food) | Jaws, one tentacular sucker | EL: 42–43 ft (12.8–13.1 m); HL+BL: 12–13 ft (3.7–4.0 m); ?TL: 30 ft (9.1 m); TL: 26 ft (7.9 m); TC: 16 in (41 cm); BL: 10 ft (3.0 m); jaws | In Verrill's possession; Verrill specimen No. 6 and Verrill specimen No. 13 | Verrill (1875a:35); Verrill (1875c:213); Verrill (1880a:186, 188, pl. 17 fig. 11) | Simms letter 27/X/1875 to Verrill | Data from 10/XII/1873 letter from Mr. Harvey to unknown individual citing measurements taken by G. Simms; Pfeffer (1912:21). Measurements are given differently in different papers. more Verrill (1880a:186) states his No. 6 is same specimen as No. 3. [This cannot be correct, as capture date for No. 6 is clearly stated as December 1874 by Verrill (1875c:213).] Verrill (1880a:188, pl. 17) repeats record as his No. 13. | |
35 | Unknown (reported 1875) | west St. Modent (on Labrador side), Strait of Belle Isle, Newfoundland | NWA | Found alive | Architeuthis princeps or Architeuthis monachus of Steenstrup | Entire | None; cut up, salted, and barrelled for dog meat | TL?: 37 ft (11 m); BL+HL: 15 ft (4.6 m); EL: 52 ft (16 m); SD: ~2 in (5.1 cm) | None; Verrill specimen No. 7 | Verrill (1875a:36); Verrill (1880a:186) | Dr. Honeyman article in Halifax newspaper | Data from unidentified third party cited in Halifax newspaper article. | |
36 | Unknown (reported 1875) | Boffin Island, west coast, Ireland | NEA | Not stated | Beak, tentacles, and arms | Undetermined | TL: 30 ft (9.1 m); CL: 2 ft 9 in (0.84 m); CSD: ~1 in (2.5 cm) | Uncertain chronology; More (1875b:123); Verrill (1875c:214) | |||||
37 | 1874? 1875? (winter) | near Harbor Grace, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | Destroyed | None taken | None; Verrill specimen No. 12 | Verrill (1875b:79); Verrill (1880a:188) | "destroyed before its value became known, and no measurements are given" | ||||
38 | 25 April 1875 | off Boffin Island, Connemara, Ireland | NEA | "Captured" | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Beak and buccal mass, one arm, portions of both tentacles | TL: ~30 ft (9.1 m); CL: 2 ft 9 in (0.84 m); CSD: 1 in (2.5 cm); AL: ~8 ft (2.4 m); AC: 15 in (38 cm) | NMI | More (1875b:123); Massy (1909:30) | Ritchie (1918:137); Massy (1928:32); Robson (1933:692); Rees (1950:40); Hardy (1956:285); Collins (1998:489) | Preserved by Sergeant O'Connor. | |
39 | October, 1875 | Grand Banks, Atlantic Ocean (44°–44°30'N 49°30'–49°50'W) | NWA | Not stated; presumably found floating at surface | Multiple | None; cut up for cod bait | Filled 75 US gal (280 l) tub; ~1,000 lb (450 kg) (No. 25); TL: 36 ft (11 m) (No. 26) | None; Verrill specimen No. 25 and Verrill specimen No. 26 | Verrill (1881:396) | An unusual number (>25–30) of mostly dead giant squid found by Gloucester, Massachusetts fishermen. | |||
40 | ~1876 | Clifford Bay, Cape Campbell, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Entire | Jaws [fide Pfeffer (1912:32)] | BL(estimate): 7 ft (2.1 m); EL(estimate): ~20 ft (6.1 m) | Colonial Museum [NMNZ] [fide Pfeffer (1912:32)] | Robson (1887:156); Kirk (1880) | Pfeffer (1912:32); Dell (1952:98) | |||
41 | 20 November 1876 | in Notre Dame Bay, southwest arm of Green Bay, Hammer Cove, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | Partial specimen; devoured by foxes and seabirds | Piece of pen 16 in (41 cm) long | WH: 18 in (46 cm); FW: 18 in (46 cm) | In Harvey's possession; Verrill specimen No. 15 | Verrill (1880a:190); Verrill (1880b:284) | M. Harvey letter 25 August 1877 to Verrill | |||
42 | 1877? | Norway | NEA | Not stated | Map location only | Sivertsen (1955:11, fig. 4) | |||||||
43 | 24 September 1877 | Catalina, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore, alive | Architeuthis princeps | Entire; "nearly perfect specimen" | Loose suckers | (see 1880a:220) HL+BL: 9.5 ft (2.9 m); BC: 7 ft (2.1 m); TL: 30 ft (9.1 m); AL (longest, ventral): 11 ft (3.4 m); AC(ventral): 17 in (43 cm); beak; FW: 2 ft 9 in (0.84 m) | In Verrill's possession; Verrill specimen No. 14 | Canadian Illustrated News, October 27, 1877; Verrill (1877:425); Verrill (1880a:189, pl. 17, figs. 1–10, pls. 19–20) | Owen (1881:163); Pfeffer (1912:21) | Measured fresh by M. Harvey; examined preserved (poorly) by Verrill at New York Aquarium. Later "prepared" for exhibition by taxidermist. Cast made for the AMNH. | |
44 | October 1877 | Trinity Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Not stated | "big squid" | None | None taken | None; Verrill specimen No. 17 | Verrill (1880a:191); Verrill (1880b:285) | M. Harvey letter 17 November 1877 to Verrill citing reference to specimen by John Duffet | Specimen cut up and used for manure. | ||
45 | 21 November 1877 | Smith's Sound, Lance Cove, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | ?Architeuthis princeps | Entire | None; carried off by tide | BL(+HL?): 11 ft (3.4 m); TL: 33 ft (10 m); AL: 13 ft (4.0 m) (estimate) | None; Verrill specimen No. 16 | Verrill (1880a:190); Verrill (1880b:285) | M. Harvey letter 27 November 1877 to Verrill citing measurements taken by John Duffet | Found still alive, having "ploughed up a trench or furrow about 30 ft long and of considerable depth by the stream of water that it ejected with great force from its siphon. When the tide receded it died." | |
46 | 2 November 1878 | near Little Bay Copper Mine, Thimble Tickle, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found aground off shore, alive; tied with rope and pulled to shore | ?Architeuthis princeps | Entire | None; cut up for dog food | BL+HL: 20 ft (6.1 m); TL: 35 ft (11 m) | None; Verrill specimen No. 18 | Verrill (1880a:191); Verrill (1880b:285) | M. Harvey letter 30 January 1879 to Boston Traveller; Hickey (2009) | Discovered by Stephen Sherring, fisherman. Often cited as the largest recorded giant squid specimen. Giant Squid Interpretation Centre and "life-sized" [55-foot-long (17 m)] sculpture built near site of capture. | |
47 | 2 December 1878 | Three Arms, South Arm of Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | ?Architeuthis princeps | Entire, mutilated and with arms missing (only one arm "perfect") | None; cut up for dog food | BL+HL: 15 ft (4.6 m); BC: 12 ft (3.7 m); AL: 16 ft (4.9 m); AD: "thicker than a man's thigh" | None; Verrill specimen No. 19 | Verrill (1880a:192); Verrill (1880b:286) | M. Harvey letter 30 January 1879 to Boston Traveller | Found dead by William Budgell, fisherman, after heavy gale. | |
48 | 23 May 1879 | Lyall Bay, Cook Strait, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Steenstrupia stockii Kirk, 1882 [=Architeuthis sp.? fide Verrill (1882c:477)] | Entire, but somewhat mutilated | Pen, beak, tongue, some suckers | ML: 9 ft 2 in (2.79 m); BC: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m); HL: 1 ft 11 in (0.58 m); BL+HL: 11 ft 1 in (3.38 m); HC: 4 ft (1.2 m); AL: 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m); AC: 11 in (28 cm); ASC: 36; FL: 24 in (61 cm); FW: 13 in (33 cm) (single); GL: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m); GW: 11 in (28 cm); other measurements | NMNZ; catalog no. M.125405 + M.125403 [fide Marshall (1996:45)]; holotype of Steenstrupia stockii Kirk, 1882. Kirk specimen No. 3 | Kirk (1880:310); Verrill (1881:398); Kirk (1882:286, figs. 2–4) | Verrill (1882c:477); Kirk (1888:34); Pfeffer (1912:34); Dell (1952:98); Dell (1970:27); Stevens (1988:149, fig. 2) | Measurements taken by T.W. Kirk. | |
49 | 1879 | off Nova Scotia, Canada (42°49′N 62°57′W / 42.817°N 62.950°W) | NWA | From fish stomach, Alepidosaurus [sic] ferox | ?Architeuthis megaptera Verrill, 1878; ?Architeuthis harveyi (Kent, 1874) | Terminal part of tentacular arm | Portion of arm | 18 in (46 cm) long | NMNH; catalog no. 576962. Verrill specimen No. 20 | Verrill (1880a:193); Verrill (1880b:287) | Lancetfish taken by Capt. J.W. Collins of schooner Marion on halibut trawl-line. | ||
September 1879 | Olafsfjord, Iceland | NEA | Architeuthis | Left tentacle | TL: 7680+ mm; CL: 1010 mm; CSC: 268; TSC: 290; additional indices and counts | ZMUC [specimen NA-7 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Roeleveld (2002:727) | Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). | |||||
50 | October 1879 | near Brigus, Conception Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Not stated | Two arms with other mutilated parts | Undetermined; Verrill specimen No. 22 | AL: 8 ft (2.4 m) | None?; Verrill specimen No. 22 | Verrill (1880a:194); Verrill (1880b:287) | ||||
51 | 1 November 1879 | James's Cove, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Not stated | Entire | None; cut up by fishermen | EL: 38 ft (12 m); BL: 9 ft (2.7 m); BC: ~6 ft (1.8 m); TL: 29 ft (8.8 m) | None; Verrill specimen No. 23 | Verrill (1880a:194); Verrill (1880b:287) | Morning Chronicle of St. John's 9 December 1879 | Found alive and driven ashore. | ||
52 | Unknown (reported 1880) | near Boulder Bank, Nelson, New Zealand | SWP | Not stated; hook and line? | Not indicated | Undetermined; Kirk specimen No. 4 | 8 ft (2.4 m) long | None?; Kirk specimen No. 4 | Kirk (1880:310); Verrill (1881:398) | Newspaper article | Caught by fishing party. No other data. | ||
53 | Unknown (reported 1880) | near Flat Point, east coast, New Zealand | SWP | Not stated | Not indicated | Undetermined; Kirk specimen No. 5 | None | None?; Kirk specimen No. 5 | Kirk (1880:310); Verrill (1881:398) | Description sent to Mr. Beetham, M.H.R., by Mr. Moore | Found by Mr. Moore. No other data. | ||
54 | April 1880 | Grand Banks, Newfoundland | NWA | Found dead at surface | Architeuthis harveyi (Kent, 1874) | Head, tentacles, and arms only | Head, tentacles, and arms | TL: 66 in (170 cm); ASC: 330; extensive measurements and counts | YPM; catalog no. 12600y. Verrill specimen No. 24 | Verrill (1881:259, pl. 26, pl. 38 figs. 3–7) | Pfeffer (1912:19) | Found dead by Capt. O.A. Whitten of schooner Wm.H. Oakes. | |
55 | 6 June 1880 | Island Bay, Cook Strait, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis verrilli Kirk, 1882 | Entire | Not specified | ML: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m); BC: 9 ft 2 in (2.79 m); TL: 25 ft (7.6 m); AL(I,II,IV): 9 ft (2.7 m); AC(I,II,IV): 15 in (38 cm); AL(III): 10 ft 5 in (3.18 m); AC(III): 21 in (53 cm); ASC(III): 71; HC: 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m); HL: 19 in (48 cm); FL: 30 in (76 cm); FW: 28 in (71 cm); EyD: 5 in (13 cm) by 4 in (10 cm) | NMNZ; holotype of Architeuthis verrilli Kirk, 1882; specimen no longer extant [fide Marshall (1996:46)] | Kirk (1882:285) | Verrill (1882c:477); Kirk (1888:35); Pfeffer (1912:33); Dell (1952:98); Dell (1970:27) | Measurements taken by Kirk, except TL by James McColl. Beak and portions of gladius ("skeleton") taken by Italian fishermen and not recovered. | |
56 | ~1880 | Kvænangen, Norway | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | None | None | Grieg (1933:19) | Sivertsen (1955:11) | |||
57 | ~1880 | Tønsvik, Tromsøysund, Norway | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | None | None | Grieg (1933:19) | ||||
58 | October 1880 | Kilkee, County Clare, Ireland | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Ritchie (1918:137) | Nature, 22:585 (1880); Rees (1950:40); Collins (1998:489) | Originally cited as an octopus. | |||||
59 | 10 November 1881 | Portugal Cove, near St. John's, Newfoundland | NWA | Found floating dead near shore | Architeuthis harveyi (Kent, 1874) | Entire | Entire (somewhat mutilated and poorly preserved) | a) BL: 5.5 ft (1.7 m); HL: 1.25 ft (0.38 m); EL: 28 ft (8.5 m); BC: 4.5 ft (1.4 m) b) ML: 4.16 ft (1.27 m); BC: 4 ft (1.2 m); FL: 1.75 ft (0.53 m); FW (single): 8 in (20 cm); TL: 15 ft (4.6 m); CL: 2 ft (0.61 m); AL(ventral, minus tip): 4.66 ft (1.42 m); TC(base): 8.5 in (22 cm); etc. | E.M. Worth Museum (101 Bowery, NY, NY). Verrill specimen No. 27 | Verrill (1881:422); Verrill (1882a:71) | Morris article in 25 November 1881 New York Herald; Morris article in 10 December 1881 Harper's Weekly; Pfeffer (1912:19) | Obtained by Mr. Morris, photographed by E. Lyons (St. John's), shipped on ice by steamer Catima to New York, purchased and preserved by E.M. Worth. Measurements by a) Inspector Murphy (chief Board of Public Works) when iced; b) Verrill of fixed specimen. | |
60 | 30 June 1886 | Cape Campbell, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Beak and club | ML: 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m); HL: 1 ft 9 in (0.53 m); AL: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m); TL: 18 ft 10 in (5.74 m); EL: 28 ft 10 in (8.79 m); BC(estimate): ~8 ft (2.4 m) | NMNZ; catalog no. M.125404 + ?M.125406 [fide Marshall (1996:45)]; holotype of Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887. Kirk specimen No. 2 | Kirk (1879:310); Verrill (1881:398); Robson (1887:156) | C.H.[W.] Robson letter 19 June 1879 to T.W. Kirk; Pfeffer (1912:35); Dell (1952:98); Dell (1970:27) | Found by Mr. C.H.[W.] Robson; beak given to Mr. A. Hamilton. | |
61 | "early" October 1887 | Lyall Bay, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis longimanus Kirk, 1888 | Entire | Beak and buccal-mass | Female | EL: 55 ft 2 in (16.81 m); ML: 71 in (180 cm); BC: 63 in (160 cm); extensive additional measurements and description | Dominion Museum [NMNZ] (see Dell, 1970:28); holotype of Architeuthis longimanus Kirk, 1888. Specimen not found [fide Marshall (1996:46)] | Kirk (1888:35, pls. 7–9); Pfeffer (1912:36) | Dell (1952:98[date found listed incorrectly fide Sweeney & Roper (2001:87)]); Dell (1970:27) | Found by Mr. Smith, local fisherman. Measurements taken by T.W. Kirk. |
62 | 27 August 1888 | between Pico and St. George, Azores Islands (38°33′57″N 30°39′30″W / 38.56583°N 30.65833°W) at 1266 m depth | NEA | By benthic trawl | Architeuthis? sp.? [fide Joubin (1895:34)] | Large beak | Undetermined | None | Joubin (1895:34) | ||||
63 | 1889 | Norway | NEA | Not stated | Map location only | Sivertsen (1955:11, fig. 4) | |||||||
64 | Unknown (reported 1892) | Sao Miguel Island, Azores Islands | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis princeps | Entire? | Jaws and tentacle club | Beak measurements | Museum in Lisbon [fide Pfeffer (1912:27)] | Girard (1892:214, pls. 1–2) | Pfeffer (1912:27); Robson (1933:692) | ||
65 | 1892 | Greenland | NWA | Not stated | Architeuthis monachus | Posselt (1898:279) | |||||||
* | Unknown (reported November 1894) | Talcahuano, Chile | SEP | Unknown; collected and donated to ZMB by Ludwig Plate | Ommastrephes gigas [fide Martens (1894)]; Architeuthis [fide Kilias (1967:491)]; Dosidicus gigas [fide Glaubrecht & Salcedo-Vargas (2004)] | Entire | Entire, internal parts missing, preserved in alcohol; "exceptionally good condition" (Glaubrecht & Salcedo-Vargas (2004:55)) | Female (adult) | ML: 865 mm; MW: 230 mm; EL: 1740 mm; HL: 160 mm; HW: 190 mm; FL: 440 mm; FW: 600 mm; TL: 720 mm; CL: 225 mm; AL(I): 460 mm; AL(II): 450 mm; AL(III): 500 mm; AL(IV): 440 mm; LSD(tentacle): 20 mm; LSD(arm II): 15 mm; LSD(arm II): 14 mm; EyD: 80 mm; Lens: 35 mm | ZMB Moll. 49.804 | Martens (1894); Glaubrecht & Salcedo-Vargas (2004:53, figs. 1a–f, 2a–g) | Möbius (1898a:373); Möbius (1898b:135); [Anonymous] (1899:38); [Anonymous] (1902:41); Kilias (1967:491, fig.); Wechsler (1999) | Non-architeuthid. First noted by Carl Eduard von Martens in November 1894. Exhibited at Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin from 1897 to World War II, and again from c. 1945–50, when it was housed in main entrance hall in large glass cylinder on marble pedestal. more From December 1975, displayed as part of "Meeresungeheuer" exhibit at German Maritime Museum in Stralsund, on loan from ZMB. Return to museum noted in February 1992, when it was placed in new purpose-built container and displayed in Malacological Collection. Incorrectly identified by Kilias (1967:491) as Architeuthis in figure legend, with total length given as ~2 m (illustration removed in later edition, Kilias (1993)). Specimen cast in 1997–98 for creation of 8.5-m-long plastic "giant squid" model, exhibited since 1998 at Übersee-Museum Bremen with sperm whale skull. Re-identified as Dosidicus gigas in June 1998 by Mario Alejandro Salcedo-Vargas. Internal parts apparently removed when specimen originally dissected by Martens or prepared for exhibition (1894–97). |
66 | 4 February 1895 | Bay of Tateyama, Province of Awa, Japan | NWP | In net | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Entire | Undetermined | Female | ML: 720 mm; MW: 235 mm; GL: 640 mm; FL: 280 mm; FW: 200 mm; TL: 2910 mm; extensive additional measurements and description | Undetermined; ?Zoological Institute, Science College, Tokyo; holotype of Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Mitsukuri & Ikeda (1895:39, pl. 10); Pfeffer (1912:27) | Caught in net after 2–3 day storm. | |
* | 18 July 1895 | near Angra, Azores Islands (38°34'45"N, 29°37'W) | NEA | Caught at surface (from sperm whale vomit) with shrimp net | Architeuthis sp.?; Non-architeuthid [fide Pfeffer (1912:27)] | Several jaws | Undetermined | None | Joubin (1900:46, pl. 14 figs. 1–2) | Pfeffer (1912:27); Clarke (1956:257) | Non-architeuthid. | ||
67 | 18 July 1895 | near Angra, Azores Islands (38°34'45"N, 29°37'W) | NEA | Caught at surface (from sperm whale vomit) using shrimp net | Dubioteuthis physeteris Joubin, 1900 [=Architeuthis physeteris (Joubin, 1900) fide Voss (1956:136)] | Mantle only | Mantle | Male | ML: 460 mm; BD: 115 mm; FL: 220 mm; FW: 110 mm; GL: 390 mm | MOM; holotype of Dubioteuthis physeteris Joubin, 1900 [fide Belloc (1950:6); listed incorrectly as station 558] | Joubin (1900:102, pl. 15 figs. 8–10); Pfeffer (1912:24) | Hardy (1956:288); Roper & Young (1972:220); Toll & Hess (1981b:753) | |
68 | 10 April 1896 | Kirkseteroren, Hevnefjord, Norway | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Entire | Female | BL: 2.5 m; AL: 2.5 m; TL: 7.25 m | VSM | Storm (1897:99); Grieg (1933:19) | Brinkmann (1916:178); Nordgård (1923:11); Nordgård (1928:71); Sivertsen (1955:11) | |
69 | 27 September 1896 [28 September fide Roeleveld (2002:727)] | Kirkseteroren, Hevnefjord, Norway | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Entire, posterior part missing | Male | TL: 1030+ mm; CL: 900 mm; CSC: 294; TSC: >298; LRL: 17.9 mm; URL: 16.2 mm; additional beak measurements, indices, and counts | VSM; VSM 110a [specimen NA-18 of Roeleveld (2000) and Roeleveld (2002)] | Storm (1897:99, fig. 20); Grieg (1933:19); Roeleveld (2000:185); Roeleveld (2002:727) | Brinkmann (1916:178, fig. 2); Nordgård (1923:11); Nordgård (1928:71); Sivertsen (1955:11); Toll & Hess (1981b:753) | Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). |
70 | Unknown (reported 1898) | Iceland | NEA | Not stated | Architeuthis monachus | Not specified | Undetermined | None | Posselt (1898:279) | Bardarson (1920:134) | |||
71 | 1898 | north of Bahamas | NWA | Unknown | Steenstrup (1898) | Ellis (1998:259) | |||||||
72 | 1902 | north of Faeroes Islands, Atlantic Ocean | NEA | Found floating at surface, dead | ?Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire, very bad condition | Entire | BL+HL: 76 cm; ML: 63 cm; MW: 15 cm; FL: 26.7 cm; FW: 8 cm; TL: 214 cm; ASD: 8 mm; TSD: 11 mm | Bergen Museum [=ZMUB?] | Murray & Hjort (1912); Grieg (1933:20) | Young specimen taken by Michael Sars. | ||
73 | 15 August 1903 | Mjofjord, Iceland | NEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Tentacle (partial), arm | Tentacle (from mouth of whale) | TD: 17 cm; AL?: 6 m | Bergen Museum [=ZMUB?] | Murray & Hjort (1912); Grieg (1933:21) | Length of arm given by whalers. | ||
74 | July 1906 | ?, Norway | NEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Collett (1912:635) | |||||||
75 | 1907 | ?, Norway | NEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Collett (1912:635) | |||||||
76 | March 1909 | off Highland Light, Truro, Massachusetts | NWA | Not stated; floating at surface? | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | None | AL: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m); WL?: ~16–17 ft (4.9–5.2 m); AD: 4 in (10 cm) | None | Blake (1909:43) | Found by schooner Annie Perry; attempted to be hoisted aboard but cut in half by rope; tentacle [arm] saved but later discarded. | ||
77 | July 1909 | ?, Norway | NEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Collett (1912:635) | |||||||
78 | September 1910 | off coast of Mayo, Ireland | NEA | From two sperm whale stomachs | Architeuthis sp. | Two upper beaks | Undetermined | None | Massy (1913:2) | From Captain Bruun. | |||
79 | 1910/1911? (autumn) | Lundenes, Grytøya, Senjen, Norway | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | None | WL: 1.2 m | Brinkmann (1916:178); Grieg (1933:20) | Nordgård (1928:71); Sivertsen (1955:11) | |||
80 | June 1911 | Monterey Bay, California, United States | NEP | Floating at surface, dead | Unidentified; Architeuthis? | Entire; "in very bad condition, there was no color left, and the epidermis had all sloughed off" | None | EL: >30 ft (9.1 m) | Berry (1912:117) | ||||
81 | February 1912 | Veiholmen, Smøla, Norway | NEA | Found in shallow water | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Entire | BL: 1.9 m; TL: 6.7 m | Kristiansund Museum | Brinkmann (1916:180, fig. 3); Grieg (1933:20) | Nordgård (1928:71); Sivertsen (1955:11) | ||
82 | 1912 | Japan | NWP | Unknown | Pfeffer (1912) | Ellis (1998:260) | |||||||
83 | 12 October 1912 | Monterey Bay, California, United States | NEP | Not indicated | Unidentified; Architeuthis? | Entire | None | WT: ~500 lb (230 kg) | Berry (1914:22) | Observed by Mr. K. Hovden (Manager, Booth Canning Company, Monterey). Eaten raw by Italian fishermen who "captured" it. [Highly doubtful considering ammonium chloride present in giant squid tissues.] | |||
84 | June–September 1913 | Belmullet whaling station, Ireland | NEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis harveyi (Kent, 1874) | Entire, plus other parts | Tip of tentacle; beak and radula; other dry beaks plus portion of gladius | ML: 6 ft (1.8 m); BC: 4 ft (1.2 m); AL: 6 ft (1.8 m); TL: 21 ft (6.4 m); FL: 1 ft 7 in (0.48 m); FW: 1 ft 9.5 in (0.546 m) | Undetermined; University of Liverpool? | Hamilton (1915:137); Hardy (1956:286); Collins (1998:489) | Rees (1950:40) | From 57 ft 3 in (17.45 m) male sperm whale (no. 22) examined by J.E. Hamilton. | |
85 | 22 November 1915 [21 November fide Roeleveld (2002:727)] | Lerøya, Austrheim, north of Bergen, Norway | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Initially entire [head and viscera fide Roeleveld (2000:185); Roeleveld (2002:727)] | Male [immature female fide Roeleveld (2000:185); Roeleveld (2002:727)] | ML+HL: 1550 mm; ML: 1310 mm; BD: 440 mm; HW: 310 mm; FL: 430 mm; FW: 105; AL(I): 1780 mm; AL(IV): 1640 mm; TL: 5600 mm [TL(R): 4925 mm fide Roeleveld (2002:729)]; CL(R): 745 mm; CSC(R): 262; TSC(R): 287; LRL: 15.8 mm; URL: 15.9 mm; additional beak measurements, indices, and counts | ZMUB; ZMUB 43689 [specimen NA-12 of Roeleveld (2000) and Roeleveld (2002)] | Brinkmann (1916:175, fig. 1); Grieg (1933:17); Roeleveld (2000:185); Roeleveld (2002:727) | Nordgård (1928:71); Sivertsen (1955:11); Toll & Hess (1981b:754) | Plaster cast made of specimen also in Bergen Museum. Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). |
86 | 17 March 1916 | Hellandsjo, west of Hevnefjord, Norway | NEA | Found washed ashore, alive | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | A little of the front part, tentacles and arms; remainder used for bait | TL: 6.2 m | VSM | Brinkmann (1916:180); Grieg (1933:20) | Nordgård (1923:11); Nordgård (1928:71); Sivertsen (1955:11) | With sucker response when found by J.F. Vaagan. | |
87 | November 1916 | Oyvag, Djonna, Helgoland, Atlantic Ocean | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire? | None | None | Grieg (1933:20) | ||||
88 | 29 October 1917 | Skateraw, Berwickshire, Scotland (55°58.5′N 02°25′W / 55.9750°N 2.417°W) | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis harveyi (Kent, 1874); Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Club and gladius fragment | BL+HL: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m); FW: 19 in (48 cm); AL: 4 ft (1.2 m); AC: 9.5 in (24 cm); TL: 13 ft 10 in (4.22 m); CL: 2 ft 6 in (0.76 m); other measurements and description | NMSZ catalog no. 1917.54.1–2 | Ritchie (1918:133); Ritchie (1922:423); Robson (1933:692); Heppell & Smith (1983:35) | Stephen (1944:264); Rees (1950:40); Stephen (1962:154); Collins (1998:489) | Observations by J. Ritchie after earlier mutilation of specimen by local boys. Colour drawing by Ritchie in NMSZ. | |
89 | 10 January 1918 | reportedly caught in Awa Province; Tokyo fishmarket, Japan | NWP | Not stated | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Entire | Undetermined | Male | ML: 1100 mm; BC: 800 mm; FL: 400 mm; FW: 320 mm; GL: 1040 mm | Sasaki (1929:224, pl. 20 figs. 1–11); Heuvelmans (1968) | Toll & Hess (1981b:753) | ||
90 | 1918 | Kilkel, County Clare, Ireland | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Not specified | Undetermined | None | Hardy (1956:286) | Collins (1998:489) | |||
91 | November 1919 | Oyvag of Dønna, off coast of Nordland, Norway | NEA | Not stated | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | Undetermined | None | Nordgård (1923:11) | Nordgård (1928:71); Sivertsen (1955:11, fig. 4) | |||
92 | February 1920 | Vallay, North Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis or Sthenoteuthis [fide Ritchie]; Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 [fide Stephen] | Entire | None | "Length of squid": 3.5–4 ft (1.1–1.2 m); AL: ~1 ft (0.30 m) | Ritchie (1920:57) | Stephen (1944:264); Rees (1950:40); Stephen (1962:154); Collins (1998:489) | Information from Mr. G. Beveridge. | ||
93 | 1921 | Wick, Moray Firth, Scotland | NEA | Not stated | Architeuthis dux | Beak and sucker ring, dry | Sucker ring; beak lost, photograph only extant | None | NMSZ | Heppell & Smith (1983:33) | Collins (1998:489) | ||
94 | 1922 | Caithness, North of Scotland | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis harveyi (Kent, 1874); Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 [fide Stephen (1962:154)] | Not specified | Undetermined | None | NMSZ | Ritchie (1922:423); Robson (1933:692) | Stephen (1944:264); Rees (1950:40); Hardy (1956:287); Stephen (1962:154) | ||
95 | 1924 | Margate, Natal | SIO | Unknown | Heuvelmans (1968) | Ellis (1998:260) | |||||||
96 | 9 ?October 1924 | Bluff, New Zealand | SWP | Not stated | Undetermined | BL: 7 ft (2.1 m); "spread of tentacles": 18 ft (5.5 m) | Dell (1952:98) | New Zealand Herald 9 October 1924 | |||||
97 | Unknown (prior to spring 1926) | Urago Bay, Oki Islands, Japan | NWP | Not stated | ?Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | None | Hamabe (1957); Nishimura (1968:75) | Capture date prior to spring 1926. | |||
98 | 1926 (early spring) | off Kuniga, Oki Islands, Japan | NWP | Not stated | ?Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | None | Hamabe (1957); Nishimura (1968:75) | ||||
99 | 1926 | Wingan Inlet, Victoria, Australia | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined | None | MacPherson & Gabriel (1962:413) | ||||
100 | 13 December 1927 | Kalveidøy, Fitjar, Norway | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | None | BL: 1 m; TL: 6.5 m | Grieg (1933:19) | Sivertsen (1955:11) | |||
101 | 4 March 1928 | Ranheim (about 8 km east of Trondheim), Norway | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Entire | Male | EL?: ~7.9 m; ML: 1.37 m; AL: 1.4–1.5 m; TL: 6.4 m; LRL: 15.0 mm; URL: 13.7 mm; additional beak measurements | VSM; VSM 108a [specimen NA-19 of Roeleveld (2000)] | Nordgård (1928:70, text-fig.); Grieg (1933:20); Roeleveld (2000:185) | Sivertsen (1955:5); Aldrich (1992:476) | Spermatophores present. Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). |
102 | 1928 | off Greenland | ? | Jaws only | Muus (1962) | Ellis (1998:260) | Seen by members of the Godthaab Expedition. | ||||||
103 | 24 January 1930 | Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland (56°02.5′N 02°51′W / 56.0417°N 2.850°W) | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Undetermined; Stephen specimen No. 1 | BL+HL: 1803 mm; HL: 381 mm; HC: 711 mm; ML: 1422 mm; BC (at mantle edge): 1143 mm; additional measurements | NSMZ; catalog no. 1930.174 | Stephen (1962:151); Heppell & Smith (1983:34) | Collins (1998:489) | Data from unpublished Ritchie manuscript; see Heppell & Smith concerning locality data. | |
104 | 1930? | Goose Bay, Kaikoura, New Zealand | SWP | Not stated | Entire | Undetermined | BL: 11 ft (3.4 m); AL[TL?]: ~30 ft (9.1 m) | Dell (1952:98) | W.R.B. Oliver. [observer?] | ||||
105 | 1930 | Miura Peninsula, Japan | NWP | EL?: 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m) | Tomilin (1967) | Ellis (1998:260) | |||||||
106 | 1930–1933 | Pacific between Hawaii and Samoa | SWP | Unknown | Grønningsaeter (1946) | Ellis (1998:261) | |||||||
107 | 14 January 1933 | Scarborough, Yorkshire, England | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis clarkei Robson, 1933 | Entire | Entire | ML: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m); MW: 1 ft 10 in (0.56 m); FL: 2 ft 1.5 in (0.648 m); FW (total): 1 ft 7 in (0.48 m); numerous additional measurements | BMNH 1933.1.30.5 + 1926.3.31.24 (radula and beak); holotype of Architeuthis clarkei Robson, 1933 | Robson (1933:681, text-figs. 1–7, pl. 1) | Stevenson (1935:114); Stephen (1944:264); Rees (1950:40); Hardy (1956:286); Collins (1998:489) | Specimen obtained by W.J. Clarke. | |
108 | December 1933 | Dildo, Newfoundland | NWA | Not stated | Male | ML: 1560 mm | Frost (1934:xxx) | Knudsen (1957:189); Toll & Hess (1981b:754); Aldrich (1992:476) | A replica of this giant squid is now on display in Dildo. | ||||
109 | 26 June 1935 | Gulf of Gascogne [Bay of Biscay] (46°50'N) at 200 m depth | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis nawaji [fide Cadenat (1935)]; Architeuthis harveyi [fide Cadenat (1936)] | Entire | Female | EL: 818 cm; ML: 138 cm; FL: 60 cm; TL: 645 cm; AL(IV): 112 cm; AL(I): 110 cm | ?MHNLR | Cadenat (1935:513); Cadenat (1936:277, figs. 1–3) | Caught by the Palombe. | ||
111 | 12 November 1935 | Holyrood, Harbour Main, Conception Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | None; destroyed in fire | Female | ML: 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m); BC: 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m); FL: 2 ft 9 in (0.84 m); FW: 2 ft 1 in (0.64 m); TL: 17 ft 3 in (5.26 m); HL: 1 ft 7 in (0.48 m) | None | Frost (1936, figs. 1–10); Stephen (1962:155); Dyson (1982:107); see also [1][2] | Caught by Harbour Main fisherman Joe Ezekiel, who sold specimen to a scientist for $10.00. Stored in local Fisheries Department's fish freezer, which caught fire, destroying specimen. At least two photographs of the specimen exist. | |
112 | 7 January 1937 | off Bell Rock, Angus, Arbroath, Scotland (56°26′N 02°23′W / 56.433°N 2.383°W) | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis harveyi (Kent, 1874); Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 [fide Stephen (1962:154)] | Entire | Tentacles and one arm | BL: ~7 ft (2.1 m); AL: 92 cm; TL: 368 + 421 cm | NMSZ; catalog no. 1977107.1 | Stephen (1937:131); Heppell & Smith (1983:34) | Stephen (1944:264); Rees (1950:40); Stephen (1962:154); Collins (1998:489) | Captured alive in trawl, tentacles and one arm cut off and remainder discarded. Date of capture incorrect in Heppell & Smith (1983). | |
113 | 22 July 1937 | Petone, Wellington, New Zealand | SWP | Not stated | Not specified | Undetermined | TL: 22 ft (6.7 m) | Dell (1952:98) | Press Association message 22 July 1937 | ||||
114 | 1939 | Norway | NEA | Not stated | Map location only | Sivertsen (1955:11, fig. 4) | Possibly the same as #115. | ||||||
115 | 10 October 1939 | near Tromsø, Norway | NEA | "killed by fishermen" | BL+HL?: >13 m; TL: 8.7 m | Wood (1982) | Ellis (1998:261) | Gerald Wood calls it "the largest known Architeuthis". Reference for measurements is "Karl Basilier, personal communication". Possibly the same as #114. | |||||
116 | February 1941 | Susa Bay, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Not stated | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | ML: ~1.5 m; WT: ~180 kg | Tanaka (1950); Nishimura (1968:75) | ||||
117 | 1941–1978 | Sea of Japan; various locations | NWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis martensi (Hilgendorf, 1880) | Entire; numerous | Undetermined | None | Okiyama (1993:408, fig. 6) | Summary of Sea of Japan strandings. | |||
118 | 1945 | Pahau River Mouth, Wellington East Coast, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Entire | Undetermined | WT: >1 ton | Dell (1952:98) | |||||
119 | 1946 | Vikebukt, Norway | NEA | Undetermined | Architeuthis sp. | Map location only | Undetermined | Sivertsen (1955:11, fig. 4) | |||||
120 | September 1946 | Romsdal, Norway | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | EL: 9.35 m; other measurements | Myklebust (1946:377, fig. 1) | Sivertsen (1955:11, map) | |||
121 | mid-September 1948 | Wingan Inlet, Victoria, Australia | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire, tentacles largely missing, arms "mutilated and torn off"; poor condition | Head with arms and tail with fins | EL(partial): 14 ft (4.3 m) (on arrival at museum), ~20 ft (6.1 m) (when found); BL: 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m); HL: 1 ft 6 in (0.46 m); TL(partial): 4 ft (1.2 m); TC(stalk): 4 in (10 cm); AL(partial): 4 ft (1.2 m); AC: 8–10.5 in (20–27 cm); ASD: ≤1 in (2.5 cm); EyD: 7 in (18 cm); other measurements | AMS? | Allan (1948:306) | Zeidler (1996:7); Zeidler & Gowlett-Homes (1996:85) | First record from Australia. CSIR Fisheries Division at Cronulla notified about specimen by Mr. W. Warn. Shipment of specimen from Eden to Australian Museum arranged by Lucy M. Willings of CSIR. Gladius and internal organs removed prior to reposit. | |
122 | 7 September 1949 | Hirtshals, Denmark | NEA | Not stated | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Undetermined | WL?: 1.75 m ["totallaengde uden fangarme"; "total length without tentacles"] | Muus (1959:170) | ||||
123 | 2 October 1949 | Whalefirth Voe, Shetland, Scotland (60°35′N 01°10′W / 60.583°N 1.167°W) | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Jaws and sucker rings; remainder cut up for bait | BL: ~4 ft (1.2 m); AL: ~6 ft (1.8 m); TL: ~20 ft (6.1 m) | NMSZ; catalog nos. 1950.2 + 1950.3 | Stephen (1950:52); Heppell & Smith (1983:33) | Collins (1998:489) | Jaw, description, and sketch sent by Dr. Petersen and two suckers sent by Mr. J. Inkster to NMSZ. | |
124 | 30 November 1949 | Bay of Nigg, Aberdeen, Scotland | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. [fide Rae (1950)]; Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 [fide Stephen (1962)] | Entire | Undetermined; entire? | Female | ML: 117 cm; HL: 28 cm; FL: 44.5 cm; FW: 37.5 cm; extensive additional measurements and description | ?Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, Scotland. Stephen (1962) specimen No. 2 | Rae (1950:163, pls. 20–21) | Hardy (1956:pl. 22); Stephen (1962:148); Boyle (1986:82); Collins (1998:489) | |
125 | 1950–1955 | off Mississippi Delta, Gulf of Mexico | NWA | Found floating on surface | Architeuthis physeteris (Joubin, 1899) | Entire, in poor condition | Male (mature) | ML: 61.2 cm; extensive description | Voss (1956:136, fig. 10) | Roper & Young (1972:220); Toll & Hess (1981b:753); Aldrich (1992:476) | Mature male with spermatophores. Possibly the same as #133. | ||
126 | 22 August 1951 | 270 miles (430 km) W of Shpanberg Id., at surface | NWP | Observed alive only | Architeuthis japonicus | Two squid | Observation only | TL(estimate): 10–12 m | None | Sleptsov (1955:75) | Thought to be avoiding sperm whales by staying at surface. | ||
127 | 14 December 1951 | Angus, East Haven, Scotland | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis harveyi | Entire | Jaws, radula, and piece of arm with suckers | ML: 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m) | Undetermined | Stephen (1953:121) | Collins (1998:489) | Mutilated prior to examination. | |
128 | January 1952 | Carnoustie, Scotland | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Not specified | Undetermined | None | Hardy (1956:287) | ||||
129 | 12 June 1952 | off Sao Lourenco, Madeira Island | NEA | From sperm whale stomach, vomited up | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | "Fragments" | EL: 10,600 mm; ML: 1,860 mm; TL: 8,500 mm; AL: 2,800 mm; BC: 1,360 mm; TC: 330 mm; WT: 150 kg | MMF | Rees & Maul (1956:266) | Clarke (1962:173) | Still exhibited some signs of life after being vomited. | |
130 | 1952 | Florida Keys | NWA | ML: 36 in | RSMAS | Voss (1996) | Ellis (1998:261) | ||||||
* | 1952 (summer) | near Bonin Islands, western Pacific | NWP | From "digestive canal" of sperm whale | Architeuthis japonica? Pfeffer, 1912; Psychroteuthidae? [fide Roper & Young (1972:220)] | Entire; two specimens | Undetermined | ML: 92 mm + 104 mm; extensive additional measurements and description | ?Laboratory of Fisheries Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo | Iwai (1956:139, pls. 1–5); Roper & Young (1972:220) | Ellis (1998:121) | Non-architeuthid. Based on the original illustrations and written description, Roper & Young (1972:220) wrote: "the specimens appear to be members of the Psychroteuthidae". Ellis (1998:121) gives erroneous total length of "8 feet" for the larger specimen. | |
132 | 1953 | Norway | NEA | Not stated | Map location only | Sivertsen (1955:11, fig. 4) | |||||||
133 | 1954 | off Mississippi Delta, Gulf of Mexico | NWA | Found floating at surface, dead | Architeuthis | Melvin (2009) | Possibly the same as #125. | ||||||
1954 | Skagerrak, Denmark | NEA | Architeuthis | Entire? | Entire?, both tentacles loose | Male (mature?) | ML: 1035 mm; TL: 4480/3800 mm; CL: 620/695 mm; CSC: 248/248; TSC: 276/271; additional indices and counts | ZMUC [specimen NA-3 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Roeleveld (2002:727) | Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). | |||
133 | January 1954 | Kie Kie Bay, Kaikoura, New Zealand | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Photographs held by NIWA | Förch (1998:105) | ||||||
134 | 22 June 1954 | 1 sea mile (~1850 m) north of Skaw (Skagerack), Denmark | NEA | Found alive on surface | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire?, left tentacle loose | Male (mature) | ML: 1010 mm [970 mm fide Roeleveld (2002:727)]; VML: 940 mm; HL: 275 mm; TL: 4900 mm [4585/4785 mm fide Roeleveld (2002:729)]; CL: 605/780 mm; AL(I): 800 mm; AL(IV): 1470/1530 mm; LAL: 1530 mm; HeL(IV pair): 90/130 mm; PL: 780 mm; SSL: 155 mm; SoA: no obs.; SL: 110–180 mm; CSC: 255/265; TSC: 286/280; additional indices and counts | ZMUC [specimen NA-6 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Knudsen (1957:189, figs. 1–5); Roeleveld (2002:727); Guerra et al. (2004b:8) | Kjennerud (1958:1); Muus (1959:170); Stephen (1962:155); Roper & Young (1972:220); Toll & Hess (1981b:753); Aldrich (1992:476) | Discovered by fishermen. Mature male with spermatophores and both ventral arms hectocotylised; colour notes. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). |
135 | 30 July 1954 | Ranheim, Trondheim Fjord, Norway | NEA | Not stated | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Undetermined | EL: 7.5 m; BL: 1.3 m; AL(shorter): 1.9 m; TL: 6.2 m | Sivertsen (1955:5); Knudsen (1956) | ||||
136 | 2 October 1954 | Ranheim, Trondheim Fjord, Norway | NEA | Not stated | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Entire, left tentacle loose | Female? | EL: 9.24 m; BL: 2.14 m; AL(shorter): 1.9 m; TL(L): 7.1 m; ML: 1.79 m; MW: 0.57 m; FL: 0.52 m; FW(each): 0.18 m; TSD: 2.6 cm; ASD: 1.5 cm; CL(L): 820 mm; CSC(L): 254; TSC(L): >275; LRL: 15.6 mm; URL: n/a; additional beak measurements, indices, and counts | VSM; VSM 156 [specimen NA-17 of Roeleveld (2000) and Roeleveld (2002)] | Sivertsen (1955:5, fig. 1); Roeleveld (2000:185); Roeleveld (2002:727) | Clarke (1966:fig. 4) | Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). |
137 | 4 July 1955 | off Porto Pim, Faial Island, Azores Islands (38°21′N 29°08′W / 38.350°N 29.133°W) | NEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undesignated anatomical material | WT: 405 lb (184 kg); EL: 34 ft 5 in (10.49 m); WL: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m); ML: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m); BD: 1 ft 11 in (0.58 m) | National Institute of Oceanography | Clarke (1955, 5 figs.) | Clarke (1956:257, pl. 2 fig. 2); Budker (1959); [3] | Squid swallowed whole by 47 ft (14 m) sperm whale (no. F346). Examined at Porto Pim whaling station. Budker (1959) states: "This is probably the only complete specimen of such an animal to be collected under these conditions." | |
138 | Unknown (reported 1956) | off Fowey Rocks, Florida, United States | NWA | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis princeps or Architeuthis harveyi | Entire, mutilated | Undetermined | EL?: 47 ft (14 m) [fide Rathjen (1973:24)] | RSMAS [fide Rathjen (1973:24)]; no longer extant [fide Voss (1956:138)] | Voss (1956:138) | Rathjen (1973:24, fig. 7) | Taken by the vessel Silver Bay. | |
139 | 12 May 1956 | about a mile north of Makara Stream, Wellington west coast, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis kirki Robson, 1887 | Entire, missing tentacles | Entire? | ML: 1829 mm; WT: 127.9 kg; extensive additional measurements and description | Dominion Museum [NMNZ] | Dell (1970:27, figs. 1–8) | Roper & Young (1972:216) | Arm suckers had no sucker rings [fide Dell (1970)]; likely dissolved after preservation in formalin per Roper & Young (1972:216). | |
* | 1956/1957 | South Orkney Islands (59°41′S 44°14′W / 59.683°S 44.233°W) | SWA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp.; Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson, 1925 | Head and mantle | Undetermined | HL: 30 cm; HW: 20 cm; EyD: 16–17 cm; EL?: ~12 m | Korabelnikov (1959:103); Yukhov (1974:62) | Non-architeuthid. Initial identification by I.I. Akimushkin. From 15.8 m long male sperm whale. | |||
* | 1956/1957 | South Shetland Islands (61°56′S 52°39′W / 61.933°S 52.650°W) | SWA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp.; Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson, 1925 | Fin only | Undetermined | FL: 41 cm; FW: 48 cm; EL?: ~10 m | Korabelnikov (1959:103); Yukhov (1974:62) | Non-architeuthid. Initial identification by I.I. Akimushkin. From 15 m long male sperm whale. | |||
140 | 1 February 1957 | six miles (10 km) north by east from Rattray Head, Aberdeenshire, Scotland | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Entire | EL: 23 ft 11 in (7.29 m); ML: 940 mm; BD: 343 mm; TL(R): 4750 mm; CL(R): 559 mm; HL: 279 mm; FL: 305 mm; FW: 305 mm | NMSZ; catalog no. 1957.20. Stephen specimen No. 3 | Stephen et al. (1957:181); Stephen (1962:152, text-fig. 6, pl. 1 fig. 2); Heppell & Smith (1983:33) | Collins (1998:489) | Received from trawler Viking Prestige almost complete, but poorly preserved. | |
141 | 14 December 1957 | Misaki, Oki Islands, Japan | NWP | Not stated | ?Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | None | Hamabe (1957); Nishimura (1968:75) | ||||
142 | 4 February 1958 | Ashiya, Hamasaka-machi, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | EL?: 4.1 m; WT: ~150 kg | Kamita (1962); Nishimura (1968:75) | ||||
143 | 7 February 1958 | off Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Not stated | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | EL?: ~6 m; WT: 170 kg | Kamita (1962): Nishimura (1968:75) | ||||
144 | 3 March 1958 | Sandane, Nordfjord, Norway | NEA | Not stated | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Male (mature) | ML: 100 cm; WT: 48 kg; more VML: 87 cm; BC: 80 cm; FL: 28–32 cm; FW: 26/33 cm; HL: 30–32 cm; HW: 25 cm; AL(I): 126+ cm; AL(II): 143+ cm; AL(III): 126+ cm; AL(IV): 164 cm; LAL: 164 cm; AC(I): 16 cm; AC(II): 20 cm; AC(III): 22 cm; AC(IV): 22 cm; HeL(IV pair): 5–6 cm; AF: 4.3.2.1; TaL: 10 cm; FuL: 14 cm; FuD: 7 cm; FuCL: 12 cm; FuCW: 2.5 cm; PL: 92 cm; SoA: yes; LRL: 1.2 cm; URL: 1.5 cm | ZMUB | Kjennerud (1958:1, figs. 1–9); Guerra et al. (2004b:8) | Toll & Hess (1981b:753) | Spermatophore and colour notes. |
145 | 1958 | Bahamas | NWA | EL?: 47 ft (14 m) | Voss (1967) | Ellis (1998:261) | |||||||
146 | August 1959 | off Madeira Island | NEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | EL?: 2.5 m | Clarke (1962:173, fig. 1A) | Toll & Hess (1981b:754) | From male sperm whale. | ||
January?, 1960 | Lonja de Aviles, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Not specified | Architeuthis dux | Not specified | Returned to the sea | WT: 100 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | |||||
147 | 6 February 1960 | Arahama, Kashiwazaki-shi, Niigata Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | ML: 1.3 m; EL?: 3.5 m; WT: 112 kg | Nishimura (1960:214); Nishimura (1968:75) | ||||
148 | 23 January 1961 | Oi, Hirata-shi, Shimane Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | EL?: 2.6 m; WT: 41.2 kg | Kamita (1962); Nishimura (1968:75) | ||||
149 | 18 February 1961 | Câmara de Lobos, Madeira Island | NEA | From fish stomach, Alepisaurus cf. ferox | Architeuthis sp. A | Entire | Entire | Female (juvenile) | ML: 57 mm [56 mm fide Roeleveld (2002:727)]; VML: 54 mm; MW: 12 mm; FL: 20 mm; FW: 15 mm; HL: 17 mm; HW: 11 mm; GiL: 16 mm; AL(I): 47 mm; AL(II): 59 mm; AL(III): 58 mm; AL(IV): 58 mm; TL: 90 mm [TL(L): 80 mm fide Roeleveld (2002:729)]; CL: 25 mm; ASD(I): 0.96 mm; ASD(II): 1.04 mm; ASD(III): 0.96 mm; ASD(IV): 0.64 mm; CSD: 0.96 mm/0.40 mm (medial/marginal); LRL: 1.0 mm; URL: 1.2 mm; extensive description and additional counts, indices, and beak measurements | NMNH cat. no. 727508 [specimen NA-34 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Roper & Young (1972:206, figs. 1a–c, 2–4, 5a); Roper (1992:99, figs. 160a–c); Roeleveld (2002:727) | Nesis et al. (1985:526); Roper & Shea (2013:116) | From stomach of lancetfish No. 18123, captured on tuna long-line at 50–150 m depth and supplied by G. E. Maul. Squid's greatly distended stomach contained largely unidentifiable material with some small fragments of fish bones. Sucker rings missing; likely degraded by digestive juices or formalin fixative. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). |
150 | April–July 1961 | near Commander Islands and western Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea | NWP | From sperm whale stomachs | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Combined beak samples | Undetermined | Percentage of whale diet | Kodolov (1970:[158]) | From sperm whales sampled in several different whaling regions of Soviet whaling flotilla Aleut during the 1961 season. | |||
151 | August 1961 | Sao Miguel, Azores Islands | NEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | ML: 2.4 m; AL[?]: 4.4 m; WL: 6.8 m | Keil (1963:320, figs. 3–5) | From 16 m sperm whale. | |||
152 | 16 September 1961 | off central California, United States | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | One upper beak | None | NMML 110 | Fiscus (1993:92) | From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-535). | ||
153 | December 1961 | King's Cove, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Not stated | Architeuthis sp. | Entire? | None | "small" | Undetermined | Aldrich (1968); Aldrich (1992:459) | |||
154 | April–July 1962 | near Commander Islands and western Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea | NWP | From sperm whale stomachs | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Combined beak samples | Undetermined | Percentage of whale diet | Kodolov (1970:[158]) | From sperm whales sampled in several different whaling regions of Soviet whaling flotilla Aleut during the 1962 season. | |||
155 | 23 June 1962 | Durban Whaling Station, South Africa | SIO | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Body only | Undetermined; Clarke specimen No. 6 | Male | FL: 40 cm; FW: 28 cm | None?; Clarke specimen No. 6 | Clarke (1980:67) | From sperm whale number A956. | |
156 | 1962 | Donkergat Whaling Station, South Africa | SEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Head only | Undetermined; Clarke specimen No. 1 | TL: 176 cm | Undetermined; Clarke specimen No. 1 | Clarke (1980:67, text-fig. 37A) | |||
1962 | Las Tiberas, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Not specified | Architeuthis dux | Not specified | Not specified | TL: 6 m | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | |||||
157 | 13 June 1963 | Durban Whaling Station, South Africa | SIO | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Head only | Undetermined; Clarke specimen No. 2 | HL: 19 cm; HW: 15 cm; WT: 19 kg | None?; Clarke specimen No. 2 | Clarke (1980:67) | From sperm whale number D1500. | ||
158 | 15 June 1963 | off central California, United States | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | One upper beak | None | NMML; catalog no. 111 | Fiscus (1993:92) | From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-813). | ||
159 | 1963 | Donkergat Whaling Station, South Africa | SEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Body only | Undetermined; Clarke specimen No. 3 | Female | ML: 66.5 cm; MW: 24 cm; FL: 29 cm; FW: 16 cm | Undetermined; Clarke specimen No. 3 | Clarke (1980:67, text-fig. 37B) | From sperm whale no. 2271. | |
160 | 13 August 1963 | Durban Whaling Station, South Africa | SIO | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined; Clarke specimen No. 5 | ML: ~70 cm; HL: ~23 cm; FL: ~30 cm; FW: ~22 cm | None?; Clarke specimen No. 5 | Clarke (1980:67, text-fig. 37A) | From sperm whale number 2258. | ||
161 | August?, 1963 | Cook Strait, New Zealand | SWP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | One beak | Undetermined | None | Gaskin & Cawthorn (1967:170) | From New Zealand whaling station; specimen No. 63
of 1963–1964 season. | |||
162 | 17 December 1963 | off Chile, South America (19°51′S 95°09′W / 19.850°S 95.150°W) | SEP | From fish stomach, "very probably Alepisaurus" | Architeuthis sp. B | Entire, sucker rings degraded and missing | Entire | Male (juvenile) | ML: 45 mm; VML: 43 mm; MW: 8 mm; FL: 14 mm; FW: 11 mm; HL: 11 mm; HW: 9 mm; GiL: 14 mm; AL(I): 20 mm; AL(II): 27 mm; AL(III): 27 mm; AL(IV): 28 mm; TL: 33 mm; CL: 14 mm; ASD(I): 0.72 mm; ASD(II): 0.88 mm; ASD(III): 0.80 mm; ASD(IV): 0.56 mm; CSD: 0.56 mm/0.24 mm (medial/marginal); extensive description and additional counts and indices | NMNH; catalog no. 727509 | Roper & Young (1972:206, figs. 1d–e, 5b); Roper (1992:99, figs. 160d–e) | Nesis et al. (1985:526); Roper & Shea (2013:116) | From lancetfish captured on long-line at 80–150 m depth by R/V Shoyo Maru (Cruise 13, Fish Station 17). Squid specimen and capture information supplied by Witek L. Klawe. Stomach found to be empty. Sucker rings missing; likely degraded by digestive juices or formalin fixative. |
163 | 23 April 1964 | Durban Whaling Station, South Africa | SIO | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Body only | Undetermined; Clarke specimen No. 4 | ML: 58 cm; MW: 19 cm; FL: 23 cm; FW: 11.5 cm | None?; Clarke specimen No. 4 | Clarke (1980:67) | From sperm whale number 2418. | ||
164 | 1964 | Southeastern Atlantic Ocean | SEA | From sperm whale stomachs | Architeuthis sp. | Map locations only | Yukhov (1974:61, fig.) | Multiple records from sperm whales with generalised data on distribution, depth, and sex. | |||||
165 | 1964 | Southwestern Pacific Ocean | SWP | From sperm whale stomachs | Architeuthis sp. | Map locations only | Undetermined | Yukhov (1974:61, fig.) | Multiple records from sperm whales with generalised data on distribution, depth, and sex. | ||||
166 | 1964 | Southwestern Indian Ocean | SIO | From sperm whale stomachs | Architeuthis sp. | Map locations only | Yukhov (1974:61, fig.) | Multiple records from sperm whales with generalised data on distribution, depth, and sex. | |||||
167 | 23 October 1964 | Conche, White Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Beaks, gladius, arms, and tentacles | Female | ML: 185 cm; additional measurements and description | MUDB; Aldrich specimen No. 1 | Aldrich (1992:461, figs. 3–4) | Aldrich (1968:395); Aldrich & Brown (1967:4, figs.) | Cestode found in caecum by Pippy & Aldrich (1969). Tentacular regeneration documented by Aldrich & Aldrich (1968:845, figs. 1–3). |
168 | 5 December 1964 | Chapel Arm, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found dead on bottom | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | None; discarded | Female | ML: 126 cm; additional measurements and description | None; Aldrich specimen No. 2 | Aldrich (1992:466, fig. 5) | Aldrich (1968:395) | Possibly seen alive in September on several occasions. |
25 March 1965 | Skagen, Denmark | NEA | Architeuthis | Female (immature) | ML: 1190 mm; TL: 5495/5307 mm; CL: 745/722 mm; CSC(L): 272; TSC(L): 300; additional indices and counts | ZMUC [specimen NA-1 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Roeleveld (2002:727) | Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). | |||||
169 | 29 September 1965 | Newman's Cove, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Not stated | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Portion of mantle, tail, and viscera | None; discarded | Female | ML (estimate): 1.37 m | None; Aldrich specimen No. 3 | Aldrich (1992:467) | Aldrich (1968:395) | |
170 | 8 October 1965 | Lance Cove, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Parts (unspecified) | Female | ML: 127 cm; additional measurements | MUDB; Aldrich specimen No. 4 | Aldrich (1992:469, fig. 6) | Voss (1967:407, fig.); Aldrich & Brown (1967:6, fig.); Aldrich (1968:395, fig. 2) | Possibly the same as #171. |
171 | 1965 | "off the coast of Newfoundland" | NWA | "caught" | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | EL?: >21 ft (6.4 m) | Schmitt (1942–1982) | Used in Francis O. Schmitt's animal nerve cell research, 1965.[4] Possibly the same as #170. | ||||
24 November 1965 | Springdale Beach, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | None; discarded | ML: 161 cm; BL(+HL?): 2.13 m; TL: 3.66 m; GL: 147 cm; additional measurements | None; Aldrich specimen No. 5 | Aldrich (1992:469, fig. 7) | Aldrich (1968:395) | |||
172 | 22 June 1966 | off "Vigo, Spain" (41°32′N 9°48′W / 41.533°N 9.800°W) | NEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Lower beak | Undetermined | Description only | Clarke & MacLeod (1974:962, fig. 4) | ||||
around 10 October 1966 | Skagerrak, north of Skagen, Denmark | NEA | Architeuthis | Female (immature) | ML: 1115 mm; TL(R): 4605 mm; CL(R): 660 mm; CSC(R): 250; TSC(R): 284; additional indices and counts | ZMUC [specimen NA-2 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Roeleveld (2002:727) | Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). | |||||
173 | 9 November 1966 | Sweet Bay, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Not stated | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire; tentacles missing and arms incomplete | Entire | Female | ML: 142 cm; additional measurements and description | MUDB; Aldrich specimen No. 6 | Aldrich (1992:470) | Aldrich & Brown (1967:8, fig.); Aldrich (1968:395, as 11 November) | |
174 | 24 November 1966 | Wild Cove, Fogo Island, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire, badly mutilated | None; discarded | Female | ML: 107 cm; additional measurements | None; Aldrich specimen No. 7 | Aldrich (1992:471) | Aldrich (1968:395) | |
175 | 25 November 1966 | off central California, United States | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | One upper beak | None | NMML; catalog no. 112 | Fiscus (1993:92) | From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1966-165). | ||
176 | 28 November 1966 | Eddie's Cove East, Strait of Belle Isle, Newfoundland | NWA | Not stated | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire, putrefied | None; discarded | None | None; Aldrich specimen No. 8 | Aldrich (1992:471) | Aldrich (1968:395) | ||
177 | 1 December 1966 | off central California, United States | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | One lower beak fragment | None | NMML; catalog no. 113 | Fiscus (1993:92) | From female sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1966-177). | ||
178 | 9 December 1966 | off central California, United States | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | One upper beak | None | NMML; catalog no. 114 | Fiscus (1993:92) | From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1966-185). | ||
179 | 12 May 1967 | off central California, United States | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | One pair of beaks | None | NMML; catalog no. 115 | Fiscus & Rice (1974:92, fig. 1); Fiscus et al. (1989:6); Fiscus (1993:93) | From female sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1967-128). | ||
180 | 6 June 1967 | off Iceland (64E50'N, 29E30'W) | NEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Seven beaks | Undetermined | Specimen weights estimated | Clarke & MacLeod (1976:742) | From 53 ft (16 m) male sperm whale (no. 121). | |||
181 | July–August 1967 | in Denmark Strait | NEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Beaks (as percentage of diet) | Martin & Clarke (1986:785) | Roe (1969:93) as unidentified beaks | From 57 male sperm whales processed at Hvalur H.F. whaling station on west coast of Iceland. | ||||
182 | 22 July – 23 August 1967 | off Iceland | NEA | From sperm whale stomachs | Architeuthis sp. | Two beaks | Undetermined | Specimen weights estimated | Clarke & MacLeod (1976:742) | Mixed samples from stomachs of five male sperm whales 47–53 ft (14–16 m) long. | |||
183 | 23 April 1968 | off central California, United States | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | One upper beak | None | NMML; catalog no. 116 | Fiscus (1993:93) | From female sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1968-108). | ||
184 | 23 April 1968 | off central California, United States | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | One upper beak fragment | None | NMML; catalog no. 117 | Fiscus (1993:93) | From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1968-109). | ||
14 May 1968 | Tokyo Bay, off Miura Peninsula, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Found stranded on beach | Architeuthis | Entire? | Single tentacle? | EL: 6 m; WT: 35 kg; TL: 3200 mm [length of single extant tentacle] | Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park Aquarium | Suyehiro (1968); Kubodera & Yamada (2001:238) | [Anonymous] (2014f) | Stranded on Miura beach two days before Tokachi earthquake of 16 May 1968. Single tentacle deposited at Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park Aquarium may belong to this specimen; see Kubodera & Yamada (2001:238). | ||
1968 | Puerto de Vega, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Caught by ship | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | Beak | EL?: 7 m | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Caught by the ship Matías Bengoechea. | ||||
July–November 1968 | off central California, United States ("Region II"; 34°34'–36°N 121°–123°W) | NEP | From fish stomach, Thunnus alalunga (albacore) | Architeuthidae, Unidentified sp. | One specimen; beaks? | None | Iverson (1971:14, 34) | Roper & Young (1972:221) | Single architeuthid specimen from 905 examined albacore stomachs (of which 286 from "Region II"). | ||||
185 | 13 June 1969 | off central California, United States | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | One upper beak | None | NMML; catalog no. 118 | Fiscus (1993:93) | From female sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1969-143). | ||
186 | 1969 | east of Lake Worth, Florida, United States | NWA | Unknown | RSMAS | Voss (1996) | Ellis (1998:262) | ||||||
1969 | Las Tiberas, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Caught by ship | Architeuthis dux | Tentacle | TL: 6 m | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Caught by the ship Saturno Juan. | |||||
10 July 1969 | Luanco (Gozón), Asturias, Spain | NEA | Caught by sport fishermen | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | WT: 250 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Caught by sport fishermen from Oviedo. Heaviest recorded giant squid from Asturias. | |||||
1969 | Puerto de Figueras, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Recovered dead | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | EL?: 7.90 m; WT: 120 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Recovered dead by José Manuel Méndez and Bote Carducha. | |||||
187 | 19 November 1969 | off central California, United States | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | One lower beak fragment | None | NMML; catalog no. 119 | Fiscus (1993:93) | From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1969-201). | ||
188 | 24 February 1970 | off central California, United States | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | One lower beak fragment | None | NMML; catalog no. 120 | Fiscus (1993:94) | From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1970-001). | ||
189 | 1970 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | NWA | Unknown | RSMAS | Voss (1996) | Ellis (1998:262) | ||||||
190 | 18 September 1970 | off Saint-Pierre Island, Grand Banks, Atlantic Ocean | NWA | By trawl | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Entire | None | FOSJ; Aldrich specimen No. 9 | Aldrich (1992:471) | Presented by Government of France in October, 1970. | ||
191 | 31 October 1970 | near Azores Islands (38°34′N 28°11′W / 38.567°N 28.183°W) | NEA | From shark stomach, Centroscymnus coelolepis | Architeuthis sp. | "Flesh" | Undetermined | None | Clarke & Merrett (1972:601) | ||||
192 | November 1970 | Tasman Sea | SWP | From sperm whale stomachs | Architeuthis sp. | One entire; 54 lower beaks | Undetermined | Female | ML: 41.5 cm; BC: 26 cm; AL: 32–49.5 cm; TL: 140 cm; FL: 20 cm; FW: 8 cm; plus estimates of other specimen weights from beaks | Clarke & MacLeod (1982:34) | Combined data from stomachs of 66 sperm whales taken at various locations in the Tasman Sea. | ||
193 | 30 December 1970 | off Botany Bay, New South Wales, eastern Australia | SWP | From shortfin mako shark stomach, Isurus oxyrinchus | Architeuthis sp. | Beak | Undetermined | ML(estimate): 567 mm | Dunning et al. (1993:129) | ||||
194 | November–April 1970 – 1973 | southeastern Atlantic Ocean (30°–43°S) | SEA | From sperm whale stomachs | Architeuthis sp. | Stomach contents | Undetermined | None | Vovk et al. (1975[1978:131]) | Specimens from sperm whales taken on 3 cruises (14 stations) of Antarctic whaling factory ship Yury Dolgoruky during November to April 1970 – 1973. | |||
195 | November–April 1970 – 1973 | Atlantic sector of Southern Ocean | SEA | From sperm whale stomachs | Architeuthis sp. | Stomach contents | Undetermined | None | Vovk et al. (1975[1978:131]) | Specimens from sperm whales taken on 3 cruises (42 stations) of Antarctic whaling factory ship Yury Dolgoruky during November to April 1970 – 1973. | |||
March 1971 | Carrandi, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Not specified | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | WT: 80 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Collected by the boat Divino San Antonio. | |||||
196 | Unknown (reported 1971) | Indian Ocean | SIO | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | EL?: 19 m | Berzin (1971;[199, fig. 98]) | Taken from sperm whale stomach by whaling flotilla Sovetskaya Ukraina. | |||
197 | 18 November 1971 | Sunnyside, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Not stated | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Arms and tentacles only | Female | ML: 177 cm; additional measurements | MUDB; Aldrich specimen No. 10 | Aldrich (1992:471, fig. 8A-B) | ||
198 | Unknown (reported 1972) | off east coast of Florida, United States | NWA | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Male (mature) | ML: 664 mm | RSMAS; catalog no. UMML 31.1762 | Toll & Hess (1981b:753) | Roper & Young (1972:220) | |
February 1972 | Puerto de El Musel, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Found floating at surface in visible state of decomposition | Architeuthis dux | EL?: ~3 m | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Observed[?] by Martino Andres. | ||||||
199 | July 1972 | near Rakautura, Kaikoura, New Zealand | SWP | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Club suckers | TL: ~8 m | Lost | Förch (1998:106) | Dangerfield (2013b) | Found by fishermen Gus and Ken Garbes. Could not be towed in due to bad weather; pieces cut off for use as bait. | |
200 | 1972 | off Durban, South Africa | SIO | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Female | ML: 1450 mm; extensive additional measurements, illustrations, and description | SAM; catalog no. S1867 | Compagno Roeleveld & Lipinski (1991:432, pls.) | ||
1972 | off Newfoundland | NWA | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | EL: 8.2 m; WT: 207 kg | Aquário Vasco da Gama, Lisbon | Marques (2002); [5] | On display at aquarium. | |||
201 | 8 December 1972 | eastern equatorial Atlantic (6°34′S 5°00′W / 6.567°S 5.000°W) | SEA | Found in stomach contents of blue shark (Prionace glauca) | Architeuthis sp. | Jaws plus pieces of mantle, arms, tentacle | Undetermined; beaks? | TL(piece): 2 m; TSD: ~2 cm; ML(estimate): 70–75 cm | Nigmatullin (1976:29, fig. 1) | From stomach of 2 m long blue shark. | |||
202 | 14 May 1974 | off Green Point light house, Table Bay, South Africa | SEA | Found floating at surface, alive | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Female (maturing–mature?) | ML: 1700 mm; LRL: 16.7 mm; URL: 17.0 mm; extensive measurements, illustrations, and description | SAM; catalog no. S1868 [specimen SA-2 of Roeleveld (2000)] | Compagno Roeleveld & Lipinski (1991:433, pls.); Roeleveld (2000:185) | Found barely alive by Capt. Hennie Smith. Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). | |
203 | October 1974 | South African waters (28°S 14°11'E) | SEA | By trawl; taken by fisheries vessel | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Piece of arm and tentacle | WT: 220 kg | SAM | Pérez-Gándaras & Guerra (1989:114) | |||
204 | 18 February 1975 | Verdalsøra, Trondheimsfjorden, Norway | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | TL: 7.96 m; WT: 68.9 kg | Holthe (1975:174) | ||||
205 | 28 October 1975 | Bonavista, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | None; discarded | Male (mature) | ML: 132 cm; additional measurements | None; Aldrich specimen No. 11 | Aldrich (1992:472, fig. 9A-D) | Mature male with hectocotylus and spermatophores. | |
206 | 26 January 1976 | off Joban District, Japan (36°39′N 141°51′E / 36.650°N 141.850°E) | NWP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Tentacle only | Undetermined | None | Okutani et al. (1976:85) | Ohsumi & Satake (1976) | From 10.6 m long male sperm whale (no. 56). | ||
207 | 26 January 1976 | off Joban District, Japan (36°40′N 141°53′E / 36.667°N 141.883°E) | NWP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Tentacle only | Undetermined | None | Okutani et al. (1976:85) | Ohsumi & Satake (1976) | From 11.7 m long male sperm whale (no. 58). | ||
208 | 3 February 1976 | off Joban District, Japan (36°44′N 141°33′E / 36.733°N 141.550°E) | NWP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Entire | Undetermined | ML: 58.5 cm | Okutani et al. (1976:85, pl. 7) | Ohsumi & Satake (1976) | From 13.0 m long male sperm whale (no. 75). | ||
209 | 4 February 1976 | off Joban District, Japan (36°46′N 141°58′E / 36.767°N 141.967°E) | NWP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Mantle only | Undetermined | None | Okutani et al. (1976:85) | Ohsumi & Satake (1976) | From 9.5 m long female sperm whale (no. 79). | ||
210 | March 1976 | Wellington south coast, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | NMNZ; photographs only | Förch (1998:106) | |||||
211 | August 1976 | off Vancouver, Oregon, United States | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Entire? | Undetermined | ML: ~2 m | Nesis et al. (1985:523) | ||||
212 | September 1976 | off South Africa (27°42′S 14°13′E / 27.700°S 14.217°E) | SEA | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | WL: 4.5 m; WT: 200 kg; TL: ~6 m; ML: 195 cm; radula | Pérez-Gándaras & Guerra (1978:401, figs. 1–4) | Nesis et al. (1985:518) | Stomach contents analysed. | ||
213 | 19 November 1977 | Firth of Forth, North Berwick, Scotland (56°03.5′N 02°43′W / 56.0583°N 2.717°W) | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux | Entire | Entire; dissected, parts preserved separately | Female | ML: 161 cm; HL: 43 cm; AL: 230 cm; TL: 440 cm; FL: 67 cm; FW: 55 cm | NMSZ; catalog no. 1978090.1 | Heppell (1977:63); Heppell (1978:89); Heppell & Smith (1983:34) | Collins (1998:489) | |
214 | 21 November 1977 | Lance Cove, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | None | Unknown size | None; Aldrich specimen No. 12 | Aldrich (1992:472) | Report only, specimen not observed. | ||
215 | April 1978 | Jiaonon, Shandong Province, China | NWP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Beaks | Undetermined | None | Dong (1984:328, fig. 2.1) | From stranded sperm whale. | |||
9 June 1978 | Miura Peninsula, Japan | NWP | Not stated | Architeuthis cf. japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Entire | Entire, missing fins, tentacles, and arm tips | Female | ML: 540 mm; AL(IV): 830 mm [longest arm IV, missing tip] | Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park Aquarium | Kubodera & Yamada (2001:238, pl. 2A) | Specimen donated to aquarium by Kurihama Thermoelectric Power Plant. Tentatively assigned to A. japonica based on relative lengths of mantle and longest arm IV. | ||
216 | ~15 June 1978 | near Mack Arch, Oregon, North Pacific Ocean | NEP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Sucker rings | WT: 225 lb (102 kg) | SBMNH; catalog no. 60119 | [Anonymous] (1978a); [Anonymous] (1978b) | Caught by commercial fisherman G. Steffensmier. | ||
217 | 21 June 1978 | off Fort Lauderdale, Straits of Florida, United States | NWA | From fish stomach, Xiphias gladius (swordfish) | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Male (mature) | ML: 167+ mm; GL: 179 mm; additional extensive description | RSMAS; catalog no. UMML 31.1761 | Toll & Hess (1981b:754, fig. 1) | Toll & Hess (1981a:768); Hess & Toll (1981:162, fig. 4); Roper (1992:99); Roeleveld (2002:736); Roper & Shea (2013:116) | From stomach of female swordfish (205 cm fork length). Very small mature specimen with spermatophores (subadult according to Roper & Shea, 2013). Toll & Hess (1981b) suggested it might be an undescribed dwarf species and Roeleveld (2002:736) wrote of this specimen: "It probably represents a distinct species and perhaps even a separate genus." |
218 | July 1978 | Gisborne, New Zealand | SWP | Trawl capture | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Förch (1998:106) | Gisborne Herald (photographs) | |||||
219 | late 1978 | Cheynes Beach, Albany, Western Australia | SWP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Two specimens | Undetermined | WT(larger specimen): 280 kg | Wallaroo Heritage and Nautical Museum, South Australia (smaller specimen) | [Anonymous] (1980:27); Zeidler (1996:7) | Zeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85); Sea Frontiers | Caught by Cheynes Beach Whaling Co., Albany, Western Australia. Larger specimen used in promotional displays. | |
220 | Unknown (reported 1979) | Noto-cho, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan | NWP | In floating blanket net | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | TL: 5.5 m; WT: 97 kg | Satomi (1979) | Kitaguni Newspaper (photograph) [fide Sweeney & Roper (2001:75); "T. Kubodera (pers. comm.)"] | |||
221 | 1979 | Newfoundland | NWA | By trawl | EL: 31 ft (9.4 m) | Ellis (1998:263) ["Stephen, pers. comm. (1997)"] | Captured by Spanish trawler. | ||||||
222 | 20 August 1979 | Cortez Bank, California, United States, at 550 fathoms (1,010 m) depth | NEP | Sable fish trap | Architeuthis japonica? | Tentacle only; recovered from trap | Tentacle | SBMNH; catalog no. 60117 | Hochberg (in prep. [fide Sweeney & Roper (2001:81)]) | ||||
223 | 19 November 1979 | Saint Brendan's, Cottel's Island, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire, in several pieces | None; discarded | Female | ML: 154 cm; additional measurements | None; Aldrich specimen No. 13 | Aldrich (1992:473) | ||
224 | Unknown (reported 1980) | Oregon, United States | NEP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Entire? | Undetermined | None | Hochberg & Fields (1980:434) | Nesis et al. (1985:523) | |||
225 | early February 1980 | Plum Island, Massachusetts, United States; see [6] | NWA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire, missing long feeding tentacles, most arm tips, and skin; lost when the squid washed ashore | Entire | Female | WL: 2.7 m; ML: ~2 m; EL(estimate): ~9/~10 m; WT: 200 kg | NMNH; catalog no. 814000 | Roper & Boss (1982:96); Whalen (2009); see also [7] and [8] | Originally displayed at the New England Aquarium. Given as gift to NMNH in 1982. Featured in the Smithsonian Institution's monthly newspaper, The Torch, in February 1983.[8] From 2009, displayed in the Cold Water Quest Gallery of Georgia Aquarium on loan from NMNH. | |
226 | March–April 1980 | about 250 miles (400 km) off California (34°39'–35°39'N 126°25'–127°28'W), North Pacific Ocean, at 25–40 to 90 m depth | NEP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | 18 entire specimens | Undetermined | ML: 50–77 cm (ML(average): 62.5 cm); additional measurements, indices, and descriptions | Nesis et al. (1985:519, figs. 1–3) | Eighteen specimens taken in 9 trawls. | |||
* | No date given | North Pacific (35°20′N 126°43′W / 35.333°N 126.717°W) | NEP | Architeuthis | Tentacles only | ML(estimate): ~500 mm; TL: 1030/1570 mm; CL: 311/357 mm; CSC: 247/246; TSC: >273/>274; additional indices and counts | P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology [specimen NP-33 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Nesis et al. (1985:519); Roeleveld (2002:727) | One of the 18 specimens from record #226. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). | ||||
227 | 2 July 1980 | 1,500 miles (2,400 km) off Oregon, Northeast Pacific (42°35′N 148°35′W / 42.583°N 148.583°W) at 15 m depth | NEP | By pelagic trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire, minus arms and tentacles | ML(fresh): 164 cm; FL(fresh): 75 cm; FW(fresh): 43 cm; description of thawed plus preserved specimen | ZMMGU | Nesis et al. (1985:518) | Taken by R/V Novoul'yanovsk with 133 m pelagic trawl. | ||
228 | 1980 | off New South Wales coast, Eastern Australia | SWP | From smooth hammerhead stomach, Sphyrna zygaena | Architeuthis sp. | Beak | Undetermined | ML(estimate): 706 mm | Dunning et al. (1993:124) | ||||
1980 | Vertical de Cudillero, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Not specified | Architeuthis dux | At least a tentacle | WT(of tentacle?): 100 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Attempt made to haul aboard a tentacle weighing 100 kg [?], but material was discarded upon observation of its poor state. Seen from the ship Oñaegea. | |||||
229 | 20 August 1980 | South African waters | SEA | By trawl; taken by fisheries vessel | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | None | ML: 0.81 m | Pérez-Gándaras & Guerra (1989:114) | ||||
230 | 21 October 1980 | Patton Escarpment, California, United States (32°28′30″N 120°15′48″W / 32.47500°N 120.26333°W) at 500–600 m depth | NEP | By RMT-8 midwater trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Tentacle club and stalk | Tentacle club and stalk | CL: 41.5 cm | SBMNH; catalog no. 60120 | Robison (1989:39, figs. 1–2) | |||
231 | February 1981 | Kāne'ohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands | NEP | By hook and line | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Beak plus piece of flesh | WL?: 20 ft (6.1 m) | Undetermined | Higa (1981:9) | Taken alive while trolling by M. Yoshida and D. Maeda; attacked by false killer whale during retrieval. | ||
10 February 1981 | ~10 mi (16 km) offshore from Kahana Bay, Oahu, Hawaii | NEP | Caught by fisherman | "likely to be of the genus Architeuthis" | At least head and arms; skin and eye(s) intact | (adult) | EyD(estimate): at least 270 mm; pupil diameter(estimate): 90 mm | Nilsson et al. (2012:683) | Caught by fisherman Henry Olsen. Photograph of freshly caught specimen taken by Ernie Choy at pier shows head with undamaged eye; used by Nilsson et al. (2012) to estimate eye and pupil diameter on basis of standard fuel hose visible in frame (findings of paper summarised by Partridge, 2012; challenged by Schmitz, 2013; Schmitz et al., 2013a; Schmitz et al., 2013b; defended by Nilsson et al., 2013). | ||||
232 | 20 May 1981 | Vavilov Ridge, Southeast Atlantic (7°56′S 0°57′E / 7.933°S 0.950°E) at 400–470 m depth | SEA | By 110 m cable-trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Tentacles plus part of viscera; remainder lost | TL(fresh): 420 + 400 cm; TL(fixed): 287 + 269 cm; additional counts, measurements, and description | Undetermined | Nesis et al. (1985:522) | Taken by R/V Novoukrainka. | ||
1981 | Asturias, Spain | NEA | Not specified | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | EL?: 10 m | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Displayed in a Gijón fish shop before being sold at a market in Avilés. | |||||
233 | 3 August 1981 | Orange River mouth, Southeast Atlantic (27°45′S 10°45′E / 27.750°S 10.750°E) at 18–95 m depth | SEA | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | ML: 81 cm; TL: 364 cm; WT: 11.8 kg | Undetermined | Nesis et al. (1985:522) | Taken by R/V Novoukrainka. | ||
234 | 7 September 1981 | Azores Islands | NEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Lower beak | Undetermined | LRL: 14.1 mm | Clarke (1986:fig. 22b) | ||||
235 | 11 October 1981 | Tasman Sea (33°19.4′S 155°00.3′E / 33.3233°S 155.0050°E) at 20 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Larva | ML: 10.3 mm | NMV | Lu (1986:9, fig.); Roper (1992:99, fig. 161) | Zeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85); Roper & Shea (2013:116) | Captured by FRV Soela at 1450 hours. |
236 | 14 November 1981 | Hare Bay, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Entire | Female | ML: 159 cm; additional measurements | Natural History Branch of Newfoundland Museum; catalog no. MO-1692. Aldrich specimen No. 14 | Aldrich (1992:473) | ||
Christmas, 1981 | Playa de Luarca, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Found washed ashore on beach | Architeuthis dux | Entire?; poor condition | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Found by Secundino González and Manuel Pico. | ||||||
237 | 1981–1984 | Azores | NEA | From sperm whale stomachs | Architeuthis ?dux Steenstrup, 1860 | Beaks | Undetermined | WT(estimated average): 23 kg; ML(estimated average): 1 m | Clarke et al. (1993:71) | Found in stomach contents of 76.5% of 17 sperm whales sampled during 1981–1984. | |||
238 | 30 January 1982 | off New South Wales, Australia (33°44′S 153°00′E / 33.733°S 153.000°E) from surface to 600 m depth | SWP | By oblique pelagic trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | Female (juvenile) | ML: 42.2 cm | Jackson et al. (1991:331) | Zeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85); Roper & Shea (2013:116) | ||
239 | July 1982 | North Canterbury, New Zealand | SWP | Trawl capture | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Partial club | NMNZ; NMNZ M77446 | Förch (1998:106) | ||||
240 | 23 August 1982 | off shore, Radøy (near Bergen), Norway | NEA | By hook and line, caught alive | Architeuthis monachus (Steenstrup in Harting, 1860) | Entire | Undetermined | EL: ~10 m; TL: ~7.3 m; WT: ~220 kg | ZMUB? | Brix (1983:422, fig. 1) | Brix et al. (1989:34); Hoving et al. (2006:158) | Caught in 5 m deep bay; dying at time of capture. Blood study by Brix et al. (1989). | |
September 1982 | Fladen Ground, northern North Sea, c. 100 miles (160 km) northeast of Aberdeen, Scotland (c. 59°00′N 0°30′E / 59°N 0.5°E), depth unknown but 100–150 m in area | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis spec. | Entire; most of viscera missing, posterior tail and fins cut off, small piece of testis present, fragments of reddish membrane (which normally covers viscera) present, spermatangia deeply implanted in left arm IV (180–350 mm from base) | Entire | Male (mature?) | ML: 900 mm; MT(max.): 22 mm; WT: ≥18 kg (much lower than fresh mass); AL(I): 700+/750+ mm; AL(II): 610+/870+ mm; AL(III): 980+/790+ mm; AL(IV): 830+/940+ mm; TL: 810+/1040+ mm; EyD: 80 mm; GiL: 250 mm; FuD: 55 mm; FuCL: 115 mm; ASD(largest): 15 mm [measurements taken after almost 25 years of preservation in formalin] | National Museum of Natural History, Leiden (public galleries) | Hoving et al. (2006:153) | Caught by beam trawler Urk 56, operating from IJmuiden harbour. First giant squid caught by Dutch fishermen. Probably mature, having spermatangia (inverted spermatophores) implanted in ventral arm. | ||
241 | 30 October 1982 | Sandy Cove, Fogo Island, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland | NWA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire, in poor condition | Entire? | Female | ML: 169 cm; additional measurements | NMSJ; catalog no. MO-1693. Aldrich specimen No. 15 | Aldrich (1992:474, fig. 10) | "Had engaged in battle with what apparently was another cephalopod". | |
242 | 30 December 1982 | Kuzuareyama coast of Noh-machi, Niigata Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Entire | Undetermined | WL?: 3.98 m; WT: 120 kg | Honma et al. (1983:23, fig. 1) | ||||
1983 | Las Tiberas, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Not specified | Architeuthis dux | WT(dead): 150 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Collected by "El Dioni" of Avilés. | ||||||
243 | 19 August 1983 | west coast of North Island, New Zealand (39°03′S 174°04′E / 39.050°S 174.067°E) | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | None; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 1 | ML: 2035 mm; HL: ~0.5 m; WT: >200 kg; ASD: 23 mm | NMNZ; NMNZ M79971. Gauldie et al. specimen No. 1 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1983:6, fig.); Förch (1998:specimen 1) | Found in New Plymouth power station cooling water intake. | ||
244 | 8–9 January 1984 | Cove Bay (near Aberdeen), Scotland | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis cf. dux | Entire | Undetermined | Female | WL: ~4.23 m; ML: ~1.75 m; GL: 1.57 m; BC: 1.40 m; HC: 0.88 m; WT: ~168 kg; ED: <1.0-<0.5 mm | Nixon (1984:4); Boyle (1986:81) | Boyle (1984:12); Collins (1998:489) | Tested for buoyancy. Egg count estimated at >10×106. | |
245 | 8 March 1984 | Auckland Islands (51°16′S 166°52′E / 51.267°S 166.867°E) at 533 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 2 | Female | ML: 1930 mm; no other measurements | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 2 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998: specimen 2) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Shinkai Maru. |
246 | 12 April 1984 | southeast coast of North Island, New Zealand (41°11′S 176°44′E / 41.183°S 176.733°E) at 870–1100 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 3 | Female | ML: 930 mm; no other measurements | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 3 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 5) | O'Shea (2007) | |
April 1984 | 3 miles (4.8 km) from Tazones, Asturias, Spain | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | WL: 3–4 m | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Captured by Antonio Coro. | |||||
247 | 3 May 1984 | west coast of North Island, New Zealand (40°54′S 176°14′E / 40.900°S 176.233°E) | SWP | Found floating | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 4 | Female | ML: 1770 mm; no other measurements | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 4 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 3) | ||
248 | 9 May 1984 | Cape Palliser, Wellington, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire? | Undetermined | None | Stevens (1988:150) | ||||
249 | 12 May 1984 | south coast of North Island, New Zealand (41°17′S 174°47′E / 41.283°S 174.783°E) | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 5 | Female | ML: 1825 mm; no other measurements | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 5 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 4) | Stevens (1988:150, fig. 3) | |
250 | May 1984 | Namibia, South African waters | SEA | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | ML: 1250 mm[?]; WT: 38 kg; MW: 390 mm; HW: 250 mm; FL: 570 mm; FW: 280 mm[?]; TL: 4750 mm | Pérez-Gándaras & Guerra (1989:115) | Taken by fisheries vessel. | |||
251 | June 1984 | west coast hoki grounds, South Island, New Zealand | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Förch (1998:106) | Caught by F/V Arrow. | |||||
1984 | Cal. Sierra d Oviedo, Asturias, Spain | NEA | From shark stomach | Architeuthis dux | Severed tentacle | TC: >10 cm | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | ||||||
252 | 25 July 1984 | northwest coast of South Island, New Zealand (41°05′S 170°52′E / 41.083°S 170.867°E) at 475 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Entire | Female | ML: 1560 mm; TL(R): 7500 mm; CSC(R): 250; additional indices and counts | NMNZ; NMNZ M.86826; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 6 [specimen NZ-6 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 6); Roeleveld (2002:727) | O'Shea (2007) | Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). |
253 | 24 September 1984 | southwest coast of South Island, New Zealand (46°18′S 166°30′E / 46.300°S 166.500°E) at 365 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Entire | Female | ML: 2020 mm; TL: 6325/7250 mm; CL: 925/925 mm; CSC: 287/287; TSC: 310/310; additional indices and counts | NMNZ; NMNZ M.79976; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 7 [specimen NZ-7 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 7); Roeleveld (2002:727) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Tengawai. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). |
254 | Unknown (sampled during 1984–1990) | San Miguel Island, California, United States | NEP | From northern elephant seal stomach, Mirounga angustirostris | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | Undetermined | None | Antonelis et al. (1994:214) | From three northern elephant seals, sampled during 1984–1990. | |||
255 | 6 June 1985 | New Zealand (47°04′S 169°32′E / 47.067°S 169.533°E) at 310 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Female | ML: ~2000 mm | Förch (1998:106) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Daishin Maru 23. | ||
256 | 23 July 1985 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
257 | 31 July 1985 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
258 | 26 August 1985 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
259 | 28 August 1985 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
260 | 29 August 1985 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
261 | 1 September 1985 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
262 | Unknown (reported 1986) | Unknown | ? | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Buccal mass and beak | Beak | LRL: 18.8 mm | Undetermined | Clarke (1986:fig. 22a) | From sperm whale stomach (G17A65). | ||
263 | Unknown (reported 1986) | South Africa | SEA | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Lower beak | Beak | LRL: 17.2 mm | Undetermined | Clarke (1986:fig. 23) | |||
264 | Unknown (reported 1986) | Azores Islands | NEA | Not stated | Architeuthis sp. | Lower beak | Lower beak | ML: 1980 mm; LRL: 19.4 mm | Undetermined | Clarke (1986:fig. 24a) | |||
265 | 29 January 1986 | off Aberdeen, Scotland | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis cf. dux | Entire | None; sold commercially | WL: 2.98 m; ML: 1.45 m; BC: 1.10 m; AC: 0.22 m; WT: ~90 kg | Boyle (1986:82) | Collins (1998:489) | Caught by fishing vessel; measurements by Mr. G. Howard. | ||
266 | March 1986 | near mouth of Orange River, South Africa (27°52′S 14°40′E / 27.867°S 14.667°E) at 510–550 m depth | SEA | By bottom trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Female (maturing) | ML: 1680 mm; LRL: 17.4 mm; URL: 17.1 mm; extensive measurements, illustrations, and description | SAM; catalog no. S1681 [specimen SA-3 of Roeleveld (2000)] | Compagno Roeleveld & Lipinski (1991:433, pls.); Roeleveld (2000:185) | Taken by MT Pardelhas. Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). | |
267 | 31 March 1986 | Auckland Islands (50°50′S 166°51′E / 50.833°S 166.850°E) at 296 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 8 | Female | ML: 1720 mm; no other measurements | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 8 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 11) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Akebono Maru 73. |
268 | 11 April 1986 | northeast coast of North Island, New Zealand (35°43′S 174°20′E / 35.717°S 174.333°E) | SWP | Found floating | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 9 | Male | ML: 1260 mm; no other measurements | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 9 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 9) | ||
269 | 17 April 1986 | east coast of South Island, New Zealand (43°38′S 174°43′E / 43.633°S 174.717°E) at 470 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Entire | Female | ML: 1815 mm; TL: 3150/3110 mm; CSC: 257/248; TSC(R): 279; additional indices and counts | NMNZ; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 10 [specimen NZ-12 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 12); Roeleveld (2002:727) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Banshu Maru 8. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). |
270 | 27 May 1986 | southwest coast of South Island, New Zealand (46°32′S 166°11′E / 46.533°S 166.183°E) at 604 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Entire | Female | ML: 1830 mm; CL: 840 mm; additional indices and counts | NMNZ; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 11 [specimen NZ-13 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 13); Roeleveld (2002:727) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Daishin Maru 28. O'Shea (2007) gives date as 27 April. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). |
271 | 18 July 1986 | west coast of South Island, New Zealand (42°03′S 170°26′E / 42.050°S 170.433°E) at 450/500 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 12 | ML: 1380 mm; WT: 43.5 kg; see Förch (1998:110) | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 12 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:107) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Dolomit. | |
19 July 1986 | east coast of Tasmania | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis | [Anonymous] (2007b) | Trivedi (2002) | |||||||
272 | 8 September 1986 | east coast of South Island, New Zealand (43°43′S 174°56′E / 43.717°S 174.933°E) at 480 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 13 | Female | ML: 2140 mm; no other measurements | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 13 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch 1998:specimen 14) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Banshu Maru 8. |
273 | 26 February 1987 | east coast of South Island, New Zealand (44°09′S 173°44′E / 44.150°S 173.733°E) at 350 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Entire | Male [female? fide Roeleveld (2002:727)] | ML: 1900 mm; CL: 755 mm; CSC: 222; additional indices and counts | NMNZ; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 14 [specimen NZ-8 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 8); Roeleveld (2002:727) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Daishin Maru 22. Roeleveld (2002) and O'Shea (2007) give coordinates of 44°09′S 173°35′E / 44.150°S 173.583°E and O'Shea (2007) gives depth of 312–356 m. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). |
274 | 5 March 1987 | off Shetland Islands | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Undetermined | ML: 1100 mm | Collins (1998:489) | |||||
275 | April–July 1987 | approximately 40°S 120°W / 40°S 120°W, South Pacific | SEP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Eight juveniles | Undetermined | (juveniles) | None | Alexeyev (1994:156, map) | Taken in subantarctic waters by R/V Vozrozhdeniye, cruise XI. | ||
276 | 3 May 1987 | southeast coast of North Island, New Zealand (41°31′S 176°43′E / 41.517°S 176.717°E) at 360 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 15 | Female | ML: 1610 mm; no other measurements | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 15 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94) | Förch (1998:107); O'Shea (2007) | Listed in table as 3 April. Used for statolith study. |
277 | 9 May 1987 | east coast of South Island, New Zealand (43°38′S 174°14′E / 43.633°S 174.233°E) at 506 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 16 | Female | ML: 2135 mm; no other measurements | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 16 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 15) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Daishin Maru 28. |
278 | 1987 | near Sydney, Australia | SWP | By trawl? | Architeuthis sp. | Entire? | Undetermined | WT: 150 kg | Gannon (1996) | "150 kg monster landed near Sydney in 1987" | |||
279 | 19 July 1987 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
280 | 20 July 1987 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
281 | 26 July 1987 | west coast of South Island, New Zealand (42°35′S 170°23′E / 42.583°S 170.383°E) at 503 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 17 | ML: 1300 mm; see Förch (1998:110) | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 17 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:107) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Zuiyo 3. | |
282 | 26 July 1987 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
283 | 28 July 1987 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
284 | 16 August 1987 | west coast of South Island, New Zealand (41°21′S 170°30′E / 41.350°S 170.500°E) at 464 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 18 | ML: 1370 mm; WT: 70 kg; no other measurements | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 18 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94) | Förch (1998:108); O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Zuiyo 3. | |
285 | 25 August 1987 | west coast of South Island, New Zealand (41°31′S 170°34′E / 41.517°S 170.567°E) at 410–608 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 19 | Female | ML: 1230 mm; see Förch (1998:110) | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 19 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:108) | O'Shea (2007) | |
286 | 2 September 1987 | east of Auckland Islands (51°18′S 170°23′E / 51.300°S 170.383°E) | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 20 | ML: 1780 mm; see Förch (1998:110) | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 20 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:108) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Mys Kronotsky. | |
287 | 13 October 1987 | south coast of South Island, New Zealand (46°24′S 166°23′E / 46.400°S 166.383°E) at 487 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 21 | ML: 1770 mm; see Förch (1998:110) | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 21 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:108) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Chiyo Maru 2. | |
288 | October 1987 | South African waters (29°46′S 14°43′E / 29.767°S 14.717°E) | SEA | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | ML: 1790 mm[?]; WT: 130 kg; MW: 485 mm; HW: 240 mm; FL: 720 mm; FW: 360 mm | Pérez-Gándaras & Guerra (1989:115) | Taken by fisheries vessel. | |||
289 | 4 November 1987 | south coast of South Island, New Zealand (47°32′S 169°10′E / 47.533°S 169.167°E) | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 22 | ML: 2010 mm; see Förch (1998:110) | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 22 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:108) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Chiyo Maru. | |
290 | 5 November 1987 | southwest coast of South Island, New Zealand (46°31′S 166°30′E / 46.517°S 166.500°E) at 550 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 23 | ML: 1770 mm; no other measurements | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 23 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94) | Förch (1998:108); O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Chiyo Maru 2. | |
26 November 1987 | off New Zealand (47°29′S 169°35′E / 47.483°S 169.583°E) at 540 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
291 | 5 December 1987 | New Zealand (47°28′S 169°35′E / 47.467°S 169.583°E) at 540 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | WT: ~80 kg | Förch (1998:108) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Chiyo Maru 2. | |||
292 | 6 December 1987 | New Zealand (47°30′S 169°19′E / 47.500°S 169.317°E) at 550 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | WT: ~20 kg | Förch (1998:108) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Chiyo Maru 2. | |||
293 | late 1987 | hoki grounds, South Island, New Zealand | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined; Förch specimen No. 10 | Female | ML: 1830 mm; no other measurements | None?; Förch specimen No. 10 | Förch (1998:107) | ||
294 | 25 January 1988 | Auckland Islands (51°00′S 166°42′E / 51.000°S 166.700°E) at 495 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire | Undetermined; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 24 | ML: 1880 mm; WT: ~150 kg; see Förch (1998:110) | None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 24 | Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:108) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Nikolaevskiy Korabel. O'Shea (2007) gives date as 25 December. | |
295 | 16 April 1988 | Shirohara, Iwamicho, Tottori Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Found washed ashore, alive [fide Sweeney & Roper (2001:74)]; found in shallow water [fide [Anonymous] (2006b)] | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire? | TL: 7 m; ML: 1.3 m; WT: 80 kg | Tottori Prefectural Museum [fide Sweeney & Roper (2001:74); "T. Kubodera (pers. comm.)"] | Nomura (1988:26); [Anonymous] (2006b) | On public display. Formed part of ground floor exhibit at Misawa Airport between July 15 and July 30, 2006. Specimen photographed with diver [fide [Anonymous] (2006b)]. | ||
296 | 28 July 1988 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
297 | 29 July 1988 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
298 | 31 July 1988 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
299 | 12 March 1989 | Namibia (26°07′S 13°41′E / 26.117°S 13.683°E) | SEA | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Only tentacle clubs, hectocotylus, genitalia, beaks, and statolith | Male (mature) | ML(fresh): 1220 mm; FL(thawed): 540 mm; FW(thawed): 460 mm; MW(thawed): 460 mm; TL(thawed): 5060 + 4510 mm[?]; WT(thawed): 41,350 g; other measurements | ICM? | Villanueva & Sánchez (1993:33) | ||
300 | September 1989 | Santa Catarina State, Brazil (27°24′S 45°37′W / 27.400°S 45.617°W) | SWA | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis sp. | Female | ML: 151 cm | Instituto de Pesca, Santos, Brazil | Arfelli et al. (1991:83, figs. 2–3) | Ré et al. (1998:109) | |||
301 | 7 February 1990 | Poipu, Kauai, Hawaiian Islands | NEP | From sperm whale stomach | Architeuthis sp. | Lower beaks | Undetermined | Clarke & Young (1998:625) | From stranded 7250 kg male sperm whale. | ||||
302 | 10 February 1990 | Long Rock, Penzance, Cornwall, England | NEA | From stomach of stranded sperm whale | Architeuthis spp. | 47 beaks | Beaks? | Undetermined | Clarke & Pascoe (1997:1256) | Roper & Shea (2013:112) | From 46 ft (14 m) male sperm whale. Giant squid accounted for 43% by number and estimated 80% by weight of total stomach contents. Possibly largest number of giant squid beaks found in a single whale stomach; see Roper & Shea (2013:112). | ||
303 | 19 July 1990 | West Cove, San Miguel Island, California, United States | NEP | From northern elephant seal stomach, Mirounga angustirostris | Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 | Beaks | One lower beak | None | NMML; catalog no. 486 | Fiscus (1993:94) | From male northern elephant seal (specimen no. Y1991/1992). | ||
304 | 14 March 1991 | Soetwater, Kommetjie (Cape Peninsula), South Africa | SEA | Undetermined | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Female (mature) | ML: 1850 mm; statolith; LRL(estimate): 16.2 mm; URL: 16.5 mm; additional beak measurements | SAM; catalog no. S2486 [specimen SA-4 of Roeleveld (2000)] | Lipinski (1997:299); Roeleveld (2000:185) | Natal Mercury (1996) | Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). |
305 | 15 June 1991 | South Africa (34°47′S 18°14′E / 34.783°S 18.233°E) | SEA | Undetermined | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Female (maturing) | ML: 1400 mm; statolith; LRL: 18.1 mm; URL: 17.6 mm; additional beak measurements | SAM; catalog no. S2546 [specimen SA-5 of Roeleveld (2000)] | Roeleveld (1996); Lipinski (1997:299); Roeleveld (2000:185) | Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). | |
20 July 1991 | east coast of Tasmania | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis | [Anonymous] (2007b) | Trivedi (2002) | |||||||
?, 1992 | Playa de Xagó, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Not specified; found floating at surface? | Architeuthis dux | Mantle and head at least | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Rest of mantle and head wrapped in a cloth of "volanta". Found by Guardia Civil. | ||||||
1992 | El Musel, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Not specified | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | EL?: 5 m | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | ||||||
306 | 7 May 1992 | Kommetjie (Cape Peninsula), South Africa | SEA | Undetermined | Architeuthis sp. | Head only | Head | Female | ML(estimate): 1600 mm; statolith; LRL: 17.1 mm; URL: 17.3 mm; additional beak measurements | SAM; catalog no. S2556 [specimen SA-6 of Roeleveld (2000)] | Roeleveld (1996); Lipinski (1997:299); Roeleveld (2000:185) | Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). | |
307 | 10 June 1992 | west of Cape Columbine (32°53'S), South Africa | SEA | Undetermined | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Female (?maturing–mature) | ML: 1770 mm; statolith; LRL: 17.5 mm; URL: 18.8 mm; additional beak measurements | SAM; catalog no. S2562 [specimen SA-7 of Roeleveld (2000)] | Roeleveld (1996); Lipinski (1997:299); Roeleveld (2000:185) | Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). | |
308 | 15–16 July 1992 | northwest of Chatham Islands; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | |||||
* | Unknown (reported 1993) | southern Japan | NWP | Sick/dying animal photographed in shallow water | Architeuthis dux; Moroteuthis robusta [fide Ellis (1998:210); Norman (2000:174); Glaubrecht & Salcedo-Vargas (2004:66)] (now known as Onykia robusta; see Bolstad (2008:106); Bolstad (2010)) | Entire; alive | None | None | Poppe & Goto (1993); Japanese made-for-television film | Ellis (1998:210); Norman (2000:174) | Non-architeuthid. Photograph of sick/dying Onykia robusta taken by H. Kubota in shallow water. Squid is shown with diver, although wide-angle photography exaggerates animal's size. A video of the same squid appears in a Japanese made-for-television film [fide Ellis (1998:211)]. | ||
Unknown (reported 1993) | Flowers Cove, Newfoundland | NWA | Architeuthidae sp. | Entire? | EL: 21.95 m | Kilias (1993:610) | Glaubrecht & Salcedo-Vargas (2004:64) | Kilias (1993:610) gives 6–7 m as typical length for "species" of Architeuthidae, with large specimens supposedly reaching 10–17 m. | |||||
14 May 1993 | Morne Brabant, Mauritius | SIO | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | ML: 4.5 m; WT: 240 kg | Staub (1993:141, pl. 1a,b) | |||||
21 April 1994 | Izu-Ogasawara Islands, off central Honshū, Japan (35°20.1′N 143°00.1′E / 35.3350°N 143.0017°E) from surface to 140 m depth | NWP | By trawl (obliquely-towed plankton net) | Architeuthis sp. | Entire; "not in good condition" | Entire | (juvenile) | ML: 19.8 mm; FL: 4.5 mm; HL: 6.4 mm, etc. | Not stated | Tsuchiya & Mori (1998:225) | Roper & Shea (2013:116) | ||
May 1994 | New Zealand (43°55′S 176°50′E / 43.917°S 176.833°E) at 515 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | In pieces | ML: 1850 mm; FL: 760 mm | NMNZ; NMNZ M18019 | Förch (1998:109) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Dalmor. | ||
May 1994 | New Zealand (43°48′S 177°35′E / 43.800°S 177.583°E) at 514 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Incomplete | ML: 1110 mm; FL: 490 mm | NMNZ; NMNZ M18020 | Förch (1998:109) | O'Shea (2007) | Caught by F/V Dalmor. | ||
January 1995 | off King Island, Bass Strait | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis | "slightly larger" than specimen of 9 March 1995 | Zeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85) | |||||||
January 1995 | 500 km off South Island, New Zealand | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis | "even larger" than January 1995 specimen from King Island | Zeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85) | |||||||
9 March 1995 | ~3.2 nm SSE of Cape Banks, Australia (37°56.32′S 140°20.79′E / 37.93867°S 140.34650°E) | SWP | Found floating at surface, recently dead | Architeuthis sp. | Entire, tail damaged, all arms damaged (with most tips missing), tentacles damaged (left missing club, right with detached club portion), eyes missing, head detached | Entire | Female | ML: 1530 mm; VML: 1400 mm; MW: 440 mm; MT(max.): 40 mm; HL: 320 mm; HW: 270 mm; WT: 48 kg (mantle) + 38 kg (head with limbs); more FL: 430 mm; FW: 175 mm; FuL: 250 mm; FuD: 110 mm; FuCL: 190 mm; FuCW(max.): 50 mm; GL: 1440 mm; GW(max.): 190 mm; RL: 340 mm; RW(max.): 130 mm; EyOD: 170 mm; distance between eye orbits (dorsally): 90 mm; RL(curled): 70 mm; RW(between teeth, max.): 10 mm; AL(I): 810/610 mm; AL(II): 1450/1120 mm; AL(III): 1330/1290 mm; AL(IV): 1140/1750 mm; ASD(left I): 7–14 mm; TL: 4260/2970 mm (7390 mm total incl. detached club portion); DC: 195 mm; MaL: 410 mm; CaL: 130 mm; CW(max.): 50 mm; CSD(max.): 25 mm; LRL: 18 mm; URL: 18 mm; additional beak measurements | SAMA; SAMA D18936 (main specimen) + B80 (frozen sample) + XD0040 (alcohol-fixed sample) | Zeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85) | Caught by Martin Von Stanke on F/V Ocean Lady over ~25 m bottom depth. Stored on ice and transported to museum (with assistance of Thierry Laperousaz) after 1 day without prior freezing. Tissue samples from digestive gland and arm (SAMA B80) saved at −80 °C, muscle samples from mantle and tentacle (SAMA XD0040) preserved in 100% alcohol. | ||
2 April 1995 | Golfo San Jorge, Argentina (46°30′S 66°00′W / 46.500°S 66.000°W) at 70 m depth | SWA | By trawl | Architeuthis | Female (mature) | ML: 1625 mm | Museo de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia, Buenos Aires | Brunetti et al. (1998:xxx) | Ré et al. (1998:109) | ||||
26 April 1995 | west of Aran Islands, Ireland (53°00′N 12°20′W / 53.000°N 12.333°W) at 287 m depth | NEA | By 80 mm mesh benthic trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | Male (mature) | ML: 1028 mm; MW: 379 mm; TL: 4555 mm; EL: 5970 mm; WT: 26.9 kg; more HL: 275 mm; HW: 135 mm; AL(I): 870 mm; AL(II): not measured; AL(III): 1054 mm; AL(IV): 1512/1465 mm; LAL: 1512 mm; TCL: 504 mm; DC: 158 mm; MaL: 252 mm; CaL: 94 mm; HeL: no obs.; FL: 390 mm; FW: 298 mm (one fin: 149 mm); EyD: 80 mm; PL: 555 mm; SoA: no obs.; SL: 125–150 mm; LRL: 10.9 mm; URL: 12.5 mm; SInc: 294; G(W): 4.25% | NMI; catalog no. 14-1995 | Collins et al. (1997:562); Guerra et al. (2004b:8) | Lordan et al. (1998:905); Collins (1998:489) | Taken by trawler Sionnainn. | |
24 June 1995 | Porcupine Bank, Ireland (52°25′N 13°45′W / 52.417°N 13.750°W) at 300 m depth | NEA | By 80 mm mesh benthic trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undeterminded | Male (mature) | ML: 975 mm; MW: 335 mm; EL: 5950 mm; WT: 22.45 kg; more HL: 270 mm; HW: 137 mm; TL: 4823 mm; TCL: 500 mm; DC: 172 mm; MaL: 252/236 mm; CaL: 77/92 mm; FL: 356 mm; FW: 266 mm; EyD: 95 mm; PL: 574 mm; SoA: no obs.; SL: 120–140 mm; HeL: no obs.; LRL: 12.7 mm; URL: 12 mm; SInc: 375; G(W): 3.29% | NMI; catalog no. 44-1995 | Collins et al. (1997:562); Guerra et al. (2004b:8) | Lordan et al. (1998:905); Collins (1998:489) | Taken by trawler Sionnainn. | |
25 June 1995 | southwest Aran Islands, Ireland (52°50′N 10°20′W / 52.833°N 10.333°W) at 110 m depth | NEA | By 80 mm mesh benthic trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Undetermined | Male (mature) | ML: 1084 mm; MW: 335 mm; WT: 26.5 kg; more HL: 288 mm; HW: 144 mm; AL(IV): 1111 mm; LAL: 1111 mm; FL: 368 mm; FW: 264 mm; EyD: 96 mm; HeL: no obs.; PL: 702 mm; SoA: no obs.; SL: 135–155 mm; LRL: 13.3 mm; URL: 10 mm; SInc: 422; G(W): 2.96% | NMI; catalog no. 43-1995 | Collins et al. (1997:562); Guerra et al. (2004b:8) | Lordan et al. (1998:905); Collins (1998:489) | Taken by trawler Galway. | |
10 July 1995 | South Africa (32°50′S 16°40′E / 32.833°S 16.667°E) | SEA | Undetermined | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Male (mature) | ML: 1180 mm; statolith; LRL: 14.1 mm; URL: 15.4 mm; additional beak measurements | SAM; catalog no. S3353 [specimen SA-10 of Roeleveld (2000)] | Lipinski (1997:299); Roeleveld (2000:185) | Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). | ||
15 July 1995 | Golfo San Jorge, Bahía Bustamante, Argentina (45°12′S 66°30′W / 45.200°S 66.500°W) | SWA | Found washed ashore on mat of seaweed | Female (immature) | ML: 1300 mm | Ruiz & Fondacaro (1996) | Ré et al. (1998:109) | ||||||
27 September 1995 | Playa de los Pozos, Asturias, Spain | NEA | By seine fishing | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | WT: 160 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Caught by the boats Nuevo Juanito and Hermanos of Avilés using a seine. | |||||
1 December 1995 | off South Island, New Zealand (43°24'–43°31'S 169°20'–169°10'E) at 305 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | NIWA | Puente (1996); O'Shea (2007) | Collected by T. Devlin on F/V J. Elaine. O'Shea (2007) gives coordinates as 43°24.31′S 169°20.10′E / 43.40517°S 169.33500°E. | ||||
December 1995 | off New Zealand (43°26′S 176°23′E / 43.433°S 176.383°E) | SWP | Architeuthis | Entire? | Entire?, left tentacle loose | Male (mature) | ML: 1200 mm; TL(L): 2757+ mm; CL(L): 552 mm; CSC(L): 247; TSC(L): 278; additional indices and counts | NMNZ; NMNZ Z.8900 [specimen NZ-36 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Roeleveld (2002:727) | Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). | |||
31 December 1995 | off South Island, New Zealand (43°12.3′S 178°19.9′W / 43.2050°S 178.3317°W) at 425 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire, both tentacles loose | Female (maturing?) | ML: 2000 mm; WT: ~600 lb (270 kg); TL: 7300 mm [TL: 5702/4813 mm fide Roeleveld (2002:729)]; CL: 850 mm [812/753 mm fide Roeleveld (2002:735)]; CSC: 243/242; TSC: 273/268; additional indices and counts | NMNZ; NMNZ Z.8436 [specimen NZ-16 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Ellis (1997:1); Förch (1998:specimen 16); Roeleveld (2002:727, figs. 2–3) | Puente (1996); [Anonymous] (1996a); O'Shea (2007) | Collected by FRV Tangaroa. Originally deposited at NIWA. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). | |
31 December 1995 | off New Zealand (43°12′S 178°20′W / 43.200°S 178.333°W) at 425 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | Listed as separate record by O'Shea (2007). | ||||||||
Unknown (reported 1996) | near Mt Gambier, off Cape Banks, South Australia | SWP | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Female | WT: 86 kg; BL+HL: 1.85 m; AL: 1.75 m (longest); TL: 7.39 m (longest); EyOD: 17 cm; EL: >9 m | SAMA | Zeidler (1996:7, fig.) | Female with fully formed ovaries and small white eggs. | ||
"very early" January 1996 [16 January fide O'Shea (2007)] | off South Island, New Zealand (43°26.47′S 176°23.17′E / 43.44117°S 176.38617°E) at 310 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Male | TL: 21 ft (6.4 m) | NIWA | Ellis (1997:9) | Förch (1998:109); Puente (1996); [Anonymous] (1996a); O'Shea (2007) | Caught by FRV Tangaroa. | |
February 1996 | off New Zealand (43°26′S 176°23′E / 43.433°S 176.383°E) at 310 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
February 1996 | Perlora, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Not specified | Architeuthis dux | Mantle severed in its first third, missing arms and tentacles | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | |||||||
14 March 1996 | off west coast of Tasmania, Australia (42°15′S 144°41′E / 42.250°S 144.683°E–42°00′S 144°35′E / 42.000°S 144.583°E) at 840–1000 m depth | SWP | Captured live by commercial trawl fishing for orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus), but likely died under weight of fish during haul to surface | Architeuthis sanctipauli Velain, 1877 | Entire, missing majority of skin | Entire | Female (subadult) | ML: 191 cm; EL(estimate): 12 m | NMV 74479 | Norman & Lu (1997:683); Norman (2000:152, fig.); Landman et al. (2004:685) | Isotopic analysis of statolith carried out by Landman et al. (2004) to determine age and habitat. Photographed by David Paul. | ||
21 March 1996 | off New Zealand (50°50′S 166°55′E / 50.833°S 166.917°E) at 420 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
22 March 1996 | off west coast of Tasmania, Australia (42°54′S 145°0′E / 42.900°S 145.000°E) at 460 m depth | SWP | Captured live in commercial fishing trawl | Architeuthis sanctipauli Velain, 1877 | Entire, skin largely intact | Entire | Female (submature) | ML: 2.4 m; EL(intact estimate): 15 m; WT: 220 kg; ovary: ~3 kg ("small") | NMV F74482 | Norman & Lu (1997:683); Norman (2000:154, 4 figs.); Landman et al. (2004:685) | [Anonymous] (2003c, fig.); Roper & Shea (2013:116) | Mated female with spermatophores embedded in epidermis of both ventral arms, around 1 m from mouth. Ovary occupying <20% of mantle cavity contained "hundreds of thousands of undeveloped eggs". Adult specimen according to Landman et al. (2004:686). Isotopic analysis of statolith carried out by Landman et al. (2004) to determine age and habitat. Photographed by David Paul. | |
24 May 1996 | Golfo San Jorge, Bahía Bustamante, Argentina (45°08′S 66°31′W / 45.133°S 66.517°W) | SWA | Found washed ashore, dead | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Female (immature) | ML: 1940 mm; TL?: 4.2 m; WT: 180 kg; see Ré et al. | MCNOPM | Ré et al. (1998:109) | Displayed at the museum of Puerto Madryn. Photographed with two children; see [10] | |||
10 June 1996 | off King Island, Tasmania, Australia, at 1000 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | WT: >200 kg; TL?: 8 m | NMV | Gannon (1996); [Anonymous] (1996b) | Captured by D. McNamara and R. Bradshaw on trawler Empress Pearl. | |||
1 October 1996 | off King Island, northwest of Tasmania, Australia (40°S 143°9′E–40°15′S 143°15′E / 40.250°S 143.250°E) at 980–1000 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis sanctipauli Velain, 1877 | Entire? | Entire | Female (subadult) | ML: 159 cm (without fins) | NMV 78297 | Landman et al. (2004:685) | Isotopic analysis of statolith carried out by Landman et al. (2004) to determine age and habitat. | ||
19 November 1996 | off Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico | NEP | Found in stomach contents of blue shark (Prionace glauca) | Architeuthis sp. | Pair of beaks (from a single specimen) | Entire | LRL: 13.44 mm; ML(estimate): 741.5 mm; WT(estimate): 24365.0 g | Markaida & Sosa-Nishizaki (2010) | Live weight constituted an estimated 7.27% of total prey weight from 893 blue sharks sampled. First giant squid record from Mexican waters and southernmost record in the California Current. | ||||
1996 | Chatham Rise, New Zealand | SWP | Architeuthis | EL?: 26 ft (7.9 m) | O'Shea (1997) | Ellis (1998:264) | |||||||
1996 | Chatham Rise, New Zealand | SWP | Architeuthis | EL?: 13 ft (4.0 m) | O'Shea (1997) | Ellis (1998:264) | |||||||
1996 | New Zealand | SWP | Architeuthis | EL?: 22–26 ft (6.7–7.9 m) | O'Shea (1997) | Ellis (1998:264) | |||||||
1996 | Tottori, Japan | NWP | Architethis | TL: 14.4 ft (4.4 m) | Japan Times (1996) | Ellis (1998:264) | |||||||
December 1997 – April 1998 | Chatham Rise, New Zealand | SWP | "Captured" | Architeuthis | Seven specimens (5 mature males and 2 mature females) | Landman et al. (1999:72) | |||||||
late December 1997 | Chatham Rise, New Zealand at 672 m depth | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 | Entire, tentacles broken off, minor damage to fins and one arm | Entire | Male (mature) | ML: 1.24 m; EL: 8 m; WT: ~200 lb (91 kg) | AMNH | Landman & Ellis (1998:150, fig.); Cordeiro & Hussaini (1999:25); Landman et al. (1999:72); Dussling & Johnson (1999); [AMNH] (N.d.) | Offered as gift to AMNH by Steve O'Shea of NIWA, who contacted Neil Landman in March 1998. Transported from Wellington to New York City by combination of refrigerated trucks and air cargo (with unscheduled delay in Los Angeles). Received by AMNH still frozen on 10 June 1998, as first specimen in its history. more Tissue samples taken and beak and radula removed and placed in 95% ethanol. Specimen injected with and fixed in 10% saline formalin solution. Kept this way for 2 weeks and buffered in first 4 days (ultimately with sodium bicarbonate) to preserve sucker rings. Next subjected to 5 days of freshwater washes and finally transferred to 70/75% ethanol. Mature spermatophore found in mantle cavity. Put on display in 1999 in 1500-litre stainless steel tank with tentacles taken from different New Zealand specimen. Covered in 1999 children's book Giant Squid: Mystery of the Deep (Dussling & Johnson, 1999). | ||
1997 | off Sergipe, Brazil | SWA | "found" | Architeuthis | Martins & Perez (2009) | Unreported prior to Martins & Perez (2009). | |||||||
18 January 1998 | Newburgh, Scotland | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Female | ML: 1230 mm; see Collins (1998:491) | NMSZ | Collins (1998:491) | |||
13 March 1998 | off New Zealand (42°50.9–49.8'S 177°16.6'–176°55.3'E) at 489–475 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
9 April 1998 | South Patagonian shelf (50°39.0′S 66°35.3′W / 50.6500°S 66.5883°W) at 105 m depth (bottom depth also 105 m) | SWA | By bottom trawl | Architeuthis | Brunetti et al. (2002) | Taken by the vessel Kasuga Maru of the Pespasa fishing company. Collected by fishery inspector. Surface water temperature recorded as 9.1 °C and air temperature as 14 °C. | |||||||
9 April 1998 | off New Zealand (44°00′S 177°35′W / 44.000°S 177.583°W) at 500 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
10 April 1998 | off New Zealand (43°56.8'–44°03.8'S 175°51.6–30.1'E) at 519–523 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
18 April 1998 | about ten miles (16 km) from Saint Paul, La Réunion Island (21°00′S 55°45′E / 21.000°S 55.750°E) | SIO | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis dux | "big chunk of flesh ... including the base of the arms, head and the upper part of the mantle" | Buccal mass, beak; tip of rostrum of lower beak broken | LRL(estimate): 17.0–17.5 mm; ML(estimate): 174–193 cm | Cherel (2003:1295) | Fishermen reported rapid skin colour change, suggesting chromatophores were still active and specimen was freshly dead. Other remains of large squid were observed. Sperm whales said to have occurred in the area at the time. | ||||
mid-1998 | beach near Fuengirola, Andalusia, Spain | MED | Found washed ashore dead but relatively fresh | Architeuthis | Entire? | Female (immature) | ML: ~125 cm | Museo Alborania, Aula del Mar de CREMA, Málaga, Spain | Guerra et al. (2006:89) | First known giant squid specimen from the Mediterranean Sea. Preserved in formaldehyde. Found in 1997 according to museum guide. | |||
28 July 1998 | off New Zealand (42°32.2′S 170°24.1′E / 42.5367°S 170.4017°E) at 500–575 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
29 July 1998 | off New Zealand (41°59'–42°10'S 170°32–33'E) at 405 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
31 July 1998 | off New Zealand (41°05′S 170°50′E / 41.083°S 170.833°E) at 452–526 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
20 August 1998 | off New Zealand (42°00′S 170°30′E / 42.000°S 170.500°E) | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
13 November 1998 | Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (47°14′S 69°23′E / 47.233°S 69.383°E) at 630–710 m depth | SIO | Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.) | Architeuthis dux | Lower and upper beak | Entire | LRL: 15.51 mm; ML(estimate): 128 cm | Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25) | Rincon (2004) | Mantle length estimated using allometric equation from Roeleveld (2000). | |||
19 December 1998 | off New Zealand (43°18.5–32.6'S 174°10.5–17.7'E) at 567 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
between 26 December 1998 and 9 February 1999 | off New Zealand (44°11.2′S 178°15.7′W / 44.1867°S 178.2617°W) at 500 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
* | 1999 (reported) | New Zealand | SWP | Architeuthis; Asperoteuthis lui Salcedo-Vargas, 1999 | Salcedo-Vargas (1999) | Non-architeuthid. | |||||||
7 January 1999 | off New Zealand (43°51.34'S 173°20'–174°37'E) | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
22 January 1999 | off New Zealand (43°33′S 174°18′E / 43.550°S 174.300°E) | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
22 January 1999 | off New Zealand (44°08.2'–43°58.5'S 175°20.3'–174°45.5'E) | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
27 January 1999 | off New Zealand (44°20.5′S 177°08.8′W / 44.3417°S 177.1467°W) at 504 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
12 February 1999 | off New Zealand (44°16.0′S 179°16.7′W / 44.2667°S 179.2783°W) at 545 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
15 February 1999 | South Patagonian shelf (53°54.6′S 63°45.9′W / 53.9100°S 63.7650°W) at 316–360 m depth (bottom depth 450 m) | SWA | By midwater trawl | Architeuthis | Brunetti et al. (2002) | Taken by the vessel Rikusen of the Pesantar SA fishing company. Collected by scientific observer. | |||||||
16 February 1999 | Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (48°11′S 71°15′E / 48.183°S 71.250°E) at 550–870 m depth | SIO | Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.) | Architeuthis dux | Lower and upper beak | Entire | LRL: 16.33 mm; ML(estimate): 152 cm | Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25) | Rincon (2004) | Mantle length estimated using allometric equation from Roeleveld (2000). | |||
9 March 1999 | off New Zealand (48°50.2′S 167°12.3′E / 48.8367°S 167.2050°E) | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
15 March 1999 | off New Zealand (48º36.1–54.2'S 166º15.2–24.4'E) at 798 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
16 March 1999 | off New Zealand (48º49.55'S 166º53'–167º16'E) | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
April 1999 | Northeast Providence Channel, Bahamas | NWA | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis sp. | Entire; distal half of tentacles missing | Entire, in two pieces | Male (mature) | EL: 11 ft (3.4 m) | RSMAS | [Anonymous] (1999:1) | |||
14 May 1999 | off New Zealand (43°28.35′S 174°14′E / 43.47250°S 174.233°E) at 515 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
3 June 1999 | Gulf Stream off the Florida Keys | NWA | "Collected dead" | Architeuthis sp. | Entire in "fresh" condition; missing distal third of mantle (incl. fins), tentacles, and ends of all arms but arm I(R) | Entire | ML: 700 mm; ML(intact estimate): 1000 mm; WT(intact estimate): ~20 kg | RSMAS; UMML31.312b | Seibel et al. (2000:286) | Collected by charter-boat Top Dog (Capt. Phil Slaga and Mate Bo Spieler). Taken to RSMAS where kept on ice or in refrigerated cold room for ~3 days prior to dissection. Wet weight estimated using mass–length relationship of O'Dor (1988) for ommastrephid squids. Mantle tissue used in study of enzymatic activity by Seibel et al. (2000), providing first estimates of giant squid metabolism and locomotory ability. | |||
14 June 1999 | off the west coast of Tasmania at 500–700 m depth | SWP | Caught by trawler fishing for blue grenadier | Architeuthis sp. | Entire? | Entire? | Male | WT: 190 kg | Deagle et al. (2005:417) | Specimen was kept frozen in storage until dissection in September 2002. Gut contents underwent genetic screening for prey. | |||
13 July 1999 | off New Zealand (41°03.1′S 170°42.4′E / 41.0517°S 170.7067°E) at 530 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
15 July 1999 | off New Zealand (42°33′S 170°31′E / 42.550°S 170.517°E) at 460 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
17 July 1999 | off New Zealand (42°31.32′S 170°21.09′E / 42.52200°S 170.35150°E) at 535 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | Temperature (BT) recorded as 11.5 °C. | ||||||||
21 July 1999 | off New Zealand (42°27.32′S 170°28.10′E / 42.45533°S 170.46833°E) at 442 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
5 August 1999 | off New Zealand (41°56′S 170°26′E / 41.933°S 170.433°E) at 500 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
29 August 1999 | nearly 175 miles (282 km) off Santa Catarina, Brazil (28°05′S 45°35′W / 28.083°S 45.583°W) over 2,400 m deep waters | SWA | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis | Entire; arm pairs I, II, III half-missing, arm pair IV complete, tentacles missing, reproductive system virtually missing | Entire | Female (mature) | ML: 1160 mm; WT: 50 kg; WL: 2480 mm; MW: 460 mm; HL: 270 mm; HW: 360 mm; FL: 460 mm; FW: 380 mm; FuL(ventral): 450 mm; FuCL: 125 mm; FuCW: 61 mm; AL(I): 520/510 mm; AL(II): 620/560 mm; AL(III): 750/550 mm; AL(IV): 960/800 mm; ASD(max.): 18 mm; GiL: 280 mm; LRL: 15 mm; URL: 20 mm; other measurements | Museu Nacional-RJ (MNRJ 10761) | Martins & Perez (2009, figs. 1–14) | Spotted by crew of Brazilian long-liner Macedo V. Spermatophores embedded in left ventral arm, around 60 cm from mouth. Small number of eggs present (~2.0 mm wide). Authors found "a few peculiarities [...] [i]n the shape of the fins, head and the cross-section and length of ventral arms". | ||
November 1999 | Carrandi, Asturias, Spain | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis dux | WT(dead): 107 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Collected by the trawler Minchos VI. | ||||||
9 December 1999 | approximately 34 miles (55 km) from Gijón, off coast of Asturias, Spain (43°52.54′N 05°18.74′W / 43.87567°N 5.31233°W) at 300–600 m depth | NEA | By trawl; caught alive | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire; missing tentacles and arms I, II, III; arm IV(R) not intact | Entire | Female (immature) | ML: 1800 mm; MW: 560 mm; WT: 148 kg; more VML: 1650 mm; MT: 30 mm; HW: 415 mm; AL(IV): 2160/178 mm (second not intact); LRL: 20.5 mm; URL: 21.0 mm; GL: 1670 mm; GW: 200 mm; FL: 690 mm; FW: 515 mm; EyD(estimate): 130 mm; FuL: 260 mm; FuCL: 175 mm; FuCW: 41 mm; GiL: 500 mm; NGL: 340 mm | CEPESMA | González et al. (2002); Guerra et al. (2004b:4); Guerra et al. (2006:258) | First record of a living specimen collected in Spanish Atlantic waters. Caught by Spanish pair trawlers Minchos V and Minchos VI based in Cillero, Lugo. more Auctioned off in the market of Avilés and acquired by Pescaderias Jiménez (Jiménez Fishmarkets) of Avilés. Specimen was frozen immediately after measurements were taken. It was later defrosted, dissected, and reconstructed. It was placed in a transparent glass case and fixed for 48 hours in 4% formalin. It is now preserved in 70% alcohol. | ||
Unknown (between 1954 and 2000) | off New Zealand (42°35.41′S 170°15.03′E / 42.59017°S 170.25050°E) at 400 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | Date not recorded. | ||||||||
Unknown (between 1954 and 2000) | off New Zealand (42°31.9′S 170°16.6′E / 42.5317°S 170.2767°E) | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | MFish SOP Trip 1247/7. | ||||||||
Unknown (reported 2000) | North Atlantic (otherwise "no data") | ? | Architeuthis | Female (maturing) | ML: 1180 mm; TL: 4395/4320 mm; CL: 785/680 mm; CSC: 260/243; TSC: 286/272; LRL: 15.7 mm; URL: 14.9 mm; additional beak measurements, indices, and counts | VSM [specimen NA-22 of Roeleveld (2000) and Roeleveld (2002)] | Roeleveld (2000:185); Roeleveld (2002:727) | Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). | |||||
25 January 2000 | off New Zealand (43°48.47′S 174°47.46′E / 43.80783°S 174.79100°E) at 476 m depth | SWP | Architeuthis | O'Shea (2007) | |||||||||
27 January 2000 | off New Zealand (44°21.19'S 175°05'–174°34'E) at 615 m depth | SWP | "Hauled up" by fishermen | Architeuthis sanctipauli | Entire? | Entire? | EL: 6.5 m ["lost 2.5 metres (seven feet) of its length through drying out"] | MNHN | [Anonymous] (2008c); [Anonymous] (2008d) | O'Shea (2007) | Named "Wheke" after a sea monster of Māori mythology. Donated by New Zealand to the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris. Became the first giant squid specimen to be plastinated. On display at the Great Gallery of Evolution. | ||
22 March 2000 | Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (47°10′S 69°23′E / 47.167°S 69.383°E) at 490–620 m depth | SIO | Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.) | Architeuthis dux | Lower and upper beak | LRL: 11.78 mm; ML(estimate): 60 cm | Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25) | Rincon (2004) | Mantle length estimated using allometric equation from Roeleveld (2000). | ||||
2 April 2000 | Asturias, Spain | NEA | Found in stomach contents of shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) | Architeuthis | Tentacle | TL: 2 m | Guerra et al. (2006:258) | Caught by Spanish vessel Teresa José from Luarca. | |||||
24 April 2000 | Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (48°26′S 70°58′E / 48.433°S 70.967°E) at 680–755 m depth | SIO | Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.) | Architeuthis dux | Lower beak only | LRL: 11.33 mm; ML(estimate): 54 cm | Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25) | Rincon (2004) | Mantle length estimated using allometric equation from Roeleveld (2000). | ||||
10 May 2000 | Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (47°25′S 69°14′E / 47.417°S 69.233°E) at 420 m depth | SIO | Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.) | Architeuthis dux | Lower and upper beak; broken | Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25) | Rincon (2004) | ||||||
9 August 2000 | off New Zealand; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | ||||||
28 September 2000 | south of Wellington, North Island; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | ||||||
15 December 2000 | in the vicinity of Amsterdam Island (37°50′S 77°33′E / 37.833°S 77.550°E) | SIO | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis dux | "large mantle"; head and gladius missing | Two funnel locking cartilages and one nuchal cartilage | Funnel locking cartilages: 146/148 mm; Nuchal cartilage: "large" | Cherel (2003:1295) | Collected by French trawler Austral. Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross (Diomedea chlororhynchos) observed feeding on corpse. Fishermen reported two other specimens of large squid observed in previous weeks. | ||||
Unknown | east of Palmerston North, North Island; see [9] | SWP | Sighting | Architeuthis sp. | Larva(e) | Larva(e) | O'Shea (N.d.) | ||||||
12 January 2001 | approximately 34 miles (55 km) from Gijón, off coast of Asturias, Spain (43°52.54′N 05°18.74′W / 43.87567°N 5.31233°W) at 300–600 m depth | NEA | By trawl; caught alive | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire; missing arms III; arm II (L) not intact | Entire | Female (immature) | ML: 1350 mm; MW: 400 mm; EL: 8010 mm; WT: 81 kg; more VML: 1190 mm; MT: 22 mm; HW: 260 mm; AL(I): 2310/2400 mm; AL(II): 1791/1900 mm (first not intact); AL(IV): 1870/1920 mm; TL: 6370/6530 mm; TCL: 770/790 mm; DC: 120/160 mm; MaL: 510/490 mm; CaL: 140/140 mm; LRL: 15.9 mm; URL: 16.5 mm; GL: 1180 mm; GW: 150 mm; FL: 560 mm; FW: 400 mm; EyD(estimate): 120 mm; FuL: 160 mm; FuCL: 135 mm; FuCW: 25 mm; GiL: 370 mm; NGL: 150 mm | CEPESMA | González et al. (2002); Guerra et al. (2004b:4); Guerra et al. (2006:259) | Second record of a living specimen collected in Spanish Atlantic waters. more Specimen was frozen immediately after measurements were taken. It was later defrosted, dissected, and reconstructed. It was placed in a transparent glass case and fixed for 48 hours in 4% formalin. It is now preserved in 70% alcohol. | ||
7 February 2001 (reported; caught prior week) | off south-west Australia | SWP | "Caught by commercial fishermen" | "giant squid" | Entire; "near-perfect specimen" | Entire? | WT: 200 kg | "Australian museum" | [Anonymous] (2001) | Placed in preservative fluid. Mark Norman interviewed about find. | |||
May 2001 | Caladero Lastres, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Architeuthis | EL?: 9 m; WT: 90 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:259) | ||||||||
27 June 2001 | beach in Fuengirola, Andalusia, Spain | MED | Found washed ashore dead but relatively fresh | Architeuthis | Entire? | Female (immature) | ML: 125 cm; EL: 750 cm; WT: 65 kg | Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain | Guerra et al. (2006:89) | Second known giant squid specimen from the Mediterranean Sea. | |||
2 July 2001 | west of Carrandi, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Caught | Architeuthis | EL?: 7.10 m; WT: 60 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:259) | Caught by the Spanish vessels Elena María and Bautista Pino from Cillero. | ||||||
12 September 2001 | Playa de Rodiles (Villaviciosa), Asturias, Spain [off Luarca fide Bustamante et al. (2008)] | NEA | Found washed ashore [by trawl fide Bustamante et al. (2008)] | Architeuthis dux | Entire?, missing tentacles | Entire? | Female (immature) | ML: 127 cm; EL: 710 cm; WT: 90 kg [WT: 60 kg fide Guerra et al. (2006:259)] | Guerra et al. (2006:259); Bustamante et al. (2008) | Tissues studied for concentrations of 14 trace elements. Digestive gland, gills, ink sac, branchial hearts, appendages, systemic heart, and brain removed during study. | |||
20 September 2001 | Playa de Torimbia (Llanes), Asturias, Spain | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis | EL?: 10 m; WT: 104 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:259) | On display at the Museo del Mar de Biarritz. | ||||||
23 September 2001 | Caladero de El Corbiro, Asturias, Spain | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis | Female (immature) | WT: 73.5 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:259) | ||||||
8 October 2001 | Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (47°19′S 69°11′E / 47.317°S 69.183°E) at 600 m depth | SIO | Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.) | Architeuthis dux | Lower and upper beak | Entire | LRL: 18.13 mm; ML(estimate): 220 cm | Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25) | Rincon (2004) | Mantle length estimated using allometric equation from Roeleveld (2000). | |||
8 October 2001 | Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (47°19′S 69°11′E / 47.317°S 69.183°E) at 600 m depth | SIO | Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.) | Architeuthis dux | Lower and upper beak; broken | Entire | Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25) | Rincon (2004) | |||||
23 October 2001 | Playa de S. Cosme de Barreiros (Lugo), Asturias, Spain [Ribadesella fide Bustamante et al. (2008)] | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | Entire? | Female (maturing) | ML: 150 cm; EL: 800 cm; WT: 104 kg [EL: 9.5 m; WT: 90 kg fide Guerra et al. (2006:259)] | Guerra et al. (2006:259); Bustamante et al. (2008) | Tissues studied for concentrations of 14 trace elements. Digestive gland, gills, ink sac, branchial hearts, appendages, systemic heart, and brain removed during study. | |||
21 November 2001 | Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (48°06′S 71°18′E / 48.100°S 71.300°E) at 453–575 m depth | SIO | Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.) | Architeuthis dux | Lower beak only | Entire | LRL: 10.43 mm; ML(estimate): 45 cm | Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25) | Rincon (2004) | Mantle length estimated using allometric equation from Roeleveld (2000). | |||
Unknown (reported 2002) | North Atlantic (otherwise "no data") | ? | Architeuthis | Female (maturing) | ML: 1480 mm; TL(R): 5910 mm; CL(R): 830 mm; CSC(R): 255; TSC(R): 279; additional indices and counts | VSM [specimen NA-21 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Roeleveld (2002:727) | Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). | |||||
Unknown (reported 2002) | North Atlantic (otherwise "no data") | ? | Architeuthis | Right club | TL: 1490+ mm; CL: 880 mm; CSC: 277; TSC: >288; additional indices and counts | VSM [specimen NA-26 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Roeleveld (2002:727) | Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). | |||||
Unknown (reported 2002) | North Atlantic (otherwise "no locality data") | ? | Architeuthis | Left club at least | Male (mature) | ML: 1180 mm | VSM [specimen NA-20 of Roeleveld (2002)] | Roeleveld (2002:726, fig. 1) | Only referred to in single caption; not included in main study of Roeleveld (2002). | ||||
2002 | off Santa Catarina, Brazil | SWA | "found" | Architeuthis | Martins & Perez (2009) | Unreported prior to Martins & Perez (2009). | |||||||
2002 | off Nishiizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Photographed by diver | Architeuthis | Entire? | None? | (larva) | EL?: ~2 cm | Yoshikawa (2014) | First time "baby" giant squid photographed by diver, according to Yoshikawa (2014). | |||
14 January 2002 (reported) | off Scotland coast | NEA | Caught by an Aberdeen-based trawler | Architeuthis | Entire, missing tentacles | Entire | Female | WL: 3.15 m; EL(estimate): 5.5 m | National Marine Aquarium | [Anonymous] (2002a) | [Anonymous] (2003a) | Specimen preserved in formaldehyde and displayed in custom-made tank at the National Marine Aquarium. | |
15 January 2002 | Goshiki beach, seashore of Amino Cho, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Found alive near surface; tied to quay with rope; later died | Architeuthis | Entire; outer mantle layer damaged/missing | Entire; preserved | ML?: 2 m; EL?: 4 m | National Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo) | [Anonymous] (2002b); [Anonymous] (2006d); [Anonymous] (2008a); [Anonymous] (2008b) | First images of live giant squid. Identified by Koutarou Tsuchiya of the Tokyo University of Fisheries. On display at the National Museum of Nature and Science. | |||
11 March 2002 | Playa del Gayo (Luanco, Gozón), Asturias, Spain | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis | Female (immature) | WT: 70 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:259) | ||||||
20 July 2002 | Seven Mile Beach, Hobart, Tasmania | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis sp.; initially speculated to be a new species | Entire, in two pieces, missing tentacles | Entire | Female (adult) | EL(estimate): 50 ft (15 m); WT: ~250 kg | Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery | [Anonymous] (2002c, 2 figs.); Trivedi (2002) | [Anonymous] (2003a, fig.); [Anonymous] (2007b) | Reported as a possible new species: "Experts found several characteristics which they say they have never encountered before – including long, thin flaps of muscle attached to each of the squid's eight arms." Spermatophores found around mantle. Study supervised by David Pemberton, senior curator of zoology at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Sucker marks and scar on head point to likely encounter with male. | |
24 August 2002 | near beach between Praia da Galé and Melides lagoon, west coast of Portugal (approximately 38°11′N 08°46′W / 38.183°N 8.767°W) | NEA | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis sp. | Entire; "fresh" condition | Male (mature) | ML: 111 cm; EL: 619.5 cm; WL?: 188.5 cm ["total length without tentacles"]; WT: 60 kg (fresh weight) | Marques (2002); Rosa et al. (2005:740) | First recorded specimen from Portuguese coast. Found during upwelling when surface water temperatures in region were 10–17 °C. Collected by technicians of Sado Estuary Natural Reserve and taken to Museu Oceanográfico do Portinho da Arrábida where it was deep-frozen. Studied for biochemical composition by Rosa et al. (2005). | ||||
13 September 2002 | in the proximity of "Pozo de la Vaca", off coast of Asturias, Spain (43°54.26′N 5°29.38′W / 43.90433°N 5.48967°W) at c. 450–475 m depth | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire | Entire | Male (mature) | ML: 98/100 cm; MW: 33 cm; WT: 42/43 kg; EL: 600 cm; more VML: 92 cm; BC: 76 cm; HL: 27 cm; HW: 28 cm; AL(IV): 176 cm; LAL: 176 cm; AC(I): 15.4 cm; AC(II): 19.7 cm; AC(III): 21.6 cm; AC(IV): 20+ cm; AF: 4.3.2.1; TL: 420/470 cm; TCL: 51 cm; DC: 15 cm; MaL: 29 cm; CaL: 7.9 cm; FL: 30 cm; FW: 28 cm; TaL: 8 cm; HeL(IV pair): 4.5 cm; EyD: 8/10 cm; FuL: 17 cm; FuD: 5.5 cm; FuCL: 12 cm; FuCW: 3 cm; PL: 88 cm; SSL: 30 cm; SoA: yes; SL: 11.0–20.0 cm; LRL: 1.2 cm; URL: 1.0 cm | CEPESMA | Guerra et al. (2004a); Guerra et al. (2004b:8) | Guerra et al. (2006:259) | Captured by Spanish pair trawlers Helena María and Bautista Pino. Spermatophores embedded in skin. | |
10 October 2002 | El Agudo, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Caught by ships | Architeuthis | WT: 87 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:259) | Caught by ships Luscinda and Peña la Deva. | ||||||
23 December 2002 | off Motobu Peninsula, Okinawa, Japan at c. 500 m depth | NWP | Caught by vertical long-line squid jig | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Female | ML: 1410 mm | Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium | Kubodera & Horikawa (2005:206, pl. 1A); Kubodera (2007, fig. 1) | Donated to aquarium by local fisherman. According to Kubodera & Horikawa (2005), specimen belongs to morphological type with thick arms of medium length and longest arm IV measuring 1.2–1.3 times mantle length. Photographed lying alongside Ryukyu woman for size comparison. | ||
Unknown (reported 2003) | Japan | NWP | Observed at surface of water, alive; attracted with jig-caught Thysanoteuthis | Architeuthis | Entire; alive | None? | [11][12] (possibly same specimen as [13]) | Possibly first observation of live giant squid in its natural habitat; first observation of healthy[?] giant squid at surface. | |||||
Unknown (reported 2003) | Japan | NWP | Observed at surface of water with Megalocranchia | Architeuthis | Entire; alive | None? | [11][12] | Possibly first observation of live giant squid in its natural habitat; first observation of healthy[?] giant squid at surface. Countershading observed in Architeuthis for the first time. | |||||
Unknown (reported 2003) | Tonga | SWP | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis? | Entire, large gash in mantle near fins | None | ML(estimate): 2 m | [14][15] | Unsuccessful attempt made to haul specimen onto boat deck. Carcass was probably attacked by an animal, but was very fresh upon discovery. Photographs taken of floating carcass and severed arm. | ||||
11 January 2003 | off Madeira | NEA | Seen clinging onto boat hull | Architeuthis dux | Entire | None | EL?(estimate): 7–8 m; "tentacle [...] thicker than [...] leg" | [Anonymous] (2003a) | Crew of yacht competing in round-the-world Jules Verne Trophy reported being "attacked" by giant squid several hours after departing from Brittany, France. Squid purportedly latched onto boat and blocked rudder with two of its "tentacles". Captain Olivier de Kersauson then stopped boat, causing squid to let go. | ||||
January 2003 | off Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Caught in net | giant squid | [Anonymous] (2008a); [Anonymous] (2008b) | ||||||||
around 20 July 2003 | Pringle Bay, Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa | SEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis | Entire, missing tentacles | Several pieces of bait, buccal mass, beak; remainder cut up for bait | WL?(estimate): 4 m; WT(estimate): 200 kg | Merwe (2003); [16] | Found in shallows by four fishermen. Length estimated by fisherman Anton Barnard. Remains in possession of Hermanus squid enthusiast Jean Francis Avenier. | ||||
13 September 2003 | La Griega (Colunga), Asturias, Spain | NEA | Not specified | Architeuthis | EL?: 11 m; WT: 140 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:259) | [Anonymous] (2003b) | ||||||
15 September 2003 | La Isla (Colunga), Asturias, Spain | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | Entire? | Female (immature) | ML: 152 cm; EL: 1200 cm; WT: 80 kg [EL: 10 m fide Guerra et al. (2006:259)] | Guerra et al. (2006:259); Bustamante et al. (2008) | [Anonymous] (2003b) | Tissues studied for concentrations of 14 trace elements. Digestive gland, gills, ink sac, branchial hearts, appendages, systemic heart, and brain removed during study. | ||
16 September 2003 | Gozón, Asturias, Spain [off Gijón fide Bustamante et al. (2008)] | NEA | Found floating at surface, dying | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | Entire? | Male (mature) | ML: 122 cm; EL: 620 cm; WT: 66 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:259); Bustamante et al. (2008) | [Anonymous] (2003b) | Tissues studied for concentrations of 14 trace elements. Digestive gland, gills, ink sac, branchial hearts, appendages, systemic heart, and brain removed during study. | ||
23 September 2003 | Bañugues (Gozón), Asturias, Spain | NEA | Found stranded | Architeuthis | Male (mature) | WT: 60 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:259) | ||||||
10 October 2003 | Pozos- Carrandi, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Caught by ships | Architeuthis | EL?: 10 m; WT: 67.5 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:259) | Caught by ships Travesía and Valdés Vega of Avilés. | ||||||
16 October 2003 | off Gijón, off coast of Asturias, Spain (43°53.23′N 5°32.15′W / 43.88717°N 5.53583°W) | NEA | Found moribund and floating at the surface | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire, missing tentacles | Entire | Male (mature) | ML: 122 cm; MW: 38 cm; WT: 66 kg; more VML: 116 cm; HL: 28.9 cm; AC(I): 16.2 cm; AC(II): 20.4 cm; AC(III): 21.2 cm; AC(IV): 25.1 cm; AF: 4.3.2.1; FL: 42 cm; BC: 82 cm; EyD: 9.5/10.3 cm; FuL: 17 cm; FuD: 7.6 cm; FuCL: 14.5 cm; FuCW: 3.6 cm; PL: 96.5 cm; SSL: 32.9 cm; SoA: no obs.; SL: 12.3–20.1 cm; LRL: 1.34 cm; URL: 1.2 cm | CEPESMA | Guerra et al. (2004a); Guerra et al. (2004b:8) | Guerra et al. (2004a) give capture date as 16 September 2003. | ||
18 October 2003 | La Griega (Colunga), Asturias, Spain | NEA | Not specified | Architeuthis | Entire?, missing tentacles | Female | WT: 70 kg | Guerra et al. (2006:259) | |||||
Unknown (reported 2004) | off New Zealand, probably at 400–600 m depth | SWP | By hoki trawl | Architeuthis dux | Mantle only; caecum distended with prey, including fragments of an Architeuthis tentacular club (carpus, manus, and dactylus suckers, and the dactylic pouch) | Female (mature) | ML: 1.6 m; additional measurements of Architeuthis remains found in caecum | Stomach contents accessioned into the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Earth & Oceanic Sciences (EOS) Research Institute, accession # AUT G.22 | Bolstad & O'Shea (2004:16) | Caught in one of two locations: either off the west coast of South Island, near Hokitika Canyon, between July and August; or off Banks Peninsula, on the east coast of South Island, between December and February. more Contents of caecum examined. Prey items attributed to Nototodarus sp. and Architeuthis dux. Presence of Architeuthis remains in caecum suggests cannibalism or autophagy. | |||
15 March 2004 | 15.6 km NW of Port Stephens Settlement, Falkland Islands (~2 km from coast; 52°02′S 61°25′W / 52.03°S 61.41°W) at 200/220 m depth | SWA | By bottom trawl, caught alive | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 | Entire, almost complete | Entire | Female? | EL: 8.62 m | BMNH; reg. no. 20040669 | [Anonymous] (2006a); Morelle (2006); see image; [17] | Nicknamed 'Archie'. Caught by Falkland-registered trawler John Cheek (Fortuna Ltd.). Donated by Alexander Arkhipkin of Falkland Islands Fisheries Department. Preservation overseen by mollusc curator Jonathan Ablett. DNA samples taken. more Defrosted over 3 days and then measured by museum scientist Oliver Crimmen. Next injected with ~15 litres of 10% formol-saline solution and placed in purpose-built wooden container lined with rubber, filled with 3250 litres of water, 350 litres of formalin, and 125 kg of rock salt. Finally transferred to 9.45 m-long acrylic tank filled with 10% formol-saline solution. On display in undissected state at Darwin Centre, BMNH, but only viewable to public as part of Spirit Collection Tour. | ||
23 August 2004 (morning) | 3 km from lighthouse, Ocean Beach, Farewell Spit, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis | Entire | Entire | WL?: 5.7 m; WT: "near" 300 kg | Auckland University of Technology | [Anonymous] (2004a); [Anonymous] (2004b); [Anonymous] (2004c) | [Anonymous] (2007d) | Reportedly largest known giant squid specimen. Found by British tourists Nick and Rosemary Pinfield on Farewell Spit Tours trip. Transferred to Steve O'Shea of Auckland University of Technology on August 25. Available for public viewing at university on October 11. | ||
30 September 2004 | off Ogasawara Islands, c. 600 miles (970 km) south of Tokyo, Japan (26°57.3′N 142°16.8′E / 26.9550°N 142.2800°E) at 900 m depth | NWP | Sighted in natural habitat; line baited with squid and shrimp | Architeuthis | Entire; live animal sighted and photographed | 5.5 m long portion of tentacle attached to line; squid broke free and swam away | Recovered tentacle: 5.5 m long; TCL: 720 mm; LSD: 28 mm; ML(estimate based on TCL): 1615 mm; ML(estimate based on LSD): 1709 mm; WL(estimate): ~4.7 m; EL(estimate): >8 m | Kubodera & Mori (2005); [Anonymous] (2005, 3 figs.); Kubodera (2007) | Numerous media sources | First widely reported images of live giant squid in its natural habitat. Feeding behaviour observed; "Architeuthis appears to be a much more active predator than previously suspected, using its elongate feeding tentacles to strike and tangle prey."[18] Distal tentacle portion was still functioning upon retrieval at surface, with club suckers "repeatedly gripping the boat deck and any offered fingers". | |||
Unknown (reported 2005) | Hawaii | NEP | Found floating at surface after having "had a tangle with a shark" | Architeuthis | Entire, bearing bite marks | Not specified | WT(estimate): 175 lb (79 kg) | [19][20] | Found by crew of the Illusions charter boat "while filming a TV show with Capt. Norm Issacs for ESPN". | ||||
2005 | off South Island, New Zealand | SWP | Caught by commercial fishermen | Architeuthis | Entire? | Entire | EL: 7 m; WT: 250 kg | Melbourne Aquarium | Holroyd (2005) | Purchased by Melbourne Aquarium curator Nick Kirby for more than A$100,000. Displayed in 3.5 tonne block of ice. | |||
2005 (summer) | Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, near Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada (49°04.185′N 125°45.679′W / 49.069750°N 125.761317°W) | NEP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux | Entire; "poor condition"; all arms and tentacles damaged and incomplete (both tentacular clubs missing), mantle torn open and bearing row of sperm whale teeth holes, most internal organs missing | Entire | (juvenile) | ML: 960 mm; EL: 2340 mm; WT(wet): 22,600 g; MW: 780 mm; HL: 410 mm; HW(across eyes): 360 mm; EyD: 40 mm; TL: 1270/1105 mm; AL(I): 1165/1430 mm; AL(II): 940/810 mm; AL(III): 805/710 mm; AL(IV): 745/700 mm; AD(I): 180/200 mm; AD(II): 180/180 mm; AD(III): 195/180 mm; AD(IV): 150/140 mm; BAC: 280 mm; BAL: 135 mm | Royal British Columbia Museum (RBCM 006-00085-001) | Cosgrove & Sendall (2007); Horner (2009) | Found by Parks Canada staff. Photographed on beach by Heather Holmes. Beak and radula extracted for identification. Identification of specimen as A. dux confirmed by Steve O'Shea. Apparently attacked and killed by a sperm whale. | ||
19 July 2005 | 12 mi (19 km) off Gandia, Valencia, western Mediterranean Sea | MED | By trawl | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | Entire? | Male (mature) | ML: 107 cm; EL: 600 cm; WT: 50 kg | CEPESMA | Bustamante et al. (2008); [Anonymous] (2014c); [Anonymous] (2014d) | [Anonymous] (2013b) | First male specimen from Mediterranean. Caught by fishing boat Nova Emi. Taken to Grau de Gandia fish market off Playa de Piles and auctioned to fishmonger Jesús Caudeli for 37 euros. Initially offered to University of Valencia, who rejected it; donated to CEPESMA. Tissues studied for concentrations of 14 trace elements. Digestive gland, gills, ink sac, branchial hearts, appendages, systemic heart, and brain removed during study. One of few CEPESMA specimens not destroyed during storm of 2 February 2014. On temporary display in Biarritz from June 2014. | |
22 July 2005 | off Gijón, Asturias, North Spain | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis dux | Entire? | Entire? | Female (maturing) | ML: 146 cm; EL: 820 cm; WT: 139 kg | Bustamante et al. (2008) | Tissues studied for concentrations of 14 trace elements. Digestive gland, gills, ink sac, branchial hearts, appendages, systemic heart, and brain removed during study. | |||
11 August 2006 | about eight miles (13 km) off Santa Cruz Island | NEP | Found floating at surface | "giant squid" | "a tentacle and two arms" | Entire?; stored in cooler after being found | TL: ~13 ft (4.0 m); TD: "about the diameter of a broomstick"; AL: ~4 ft (1.2 m); ASD: "about the size of a nickel" | Not stated | [Anonymous] (2006c) | Found by sport fisherman Bennett Salvay from the Los Angeles suburb of Tarzana. "Eric Hochberg, a squid expert at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, said the rest of the squid might have ended up in the stomach of a sperm whale or orca." | |||
October? 2006 (caught "two months" prior to being reported on December 21) | Pacific Ocean, about 900 nautical miles (1,700 km) northwest of Midway (35°30′N 168°20′W / 35.500°N 168.333°W) | NWP | Found floating on surface; caught with fishing spear | Architeuthis | Entire | Entire | WT: 211 kg; BC: 1.5 m; BL+HL?: 3 m; EL?: 6 m [7 m fide [Anonymous] (2013g)] | China Times December 21, 2006; [Anonymous] (2006e) | [Anonymous] (2013g) | Caught by skipper Hong Jeh Shan and mechanic Hong Shih Cheng. Sold for around $530 USD at Tong Goang fish market (東港). Kept in freezer for 2 months prior to being reported. Identified as giant squid by C.C. Wu of the Taiwan Department of Fish and Game. Photographed with kindergarten children. | |||
4 December 2006 | Chichi-jima, about 960 kilometers (600 mi) southeast of Tokyo, Japan, at 650 m depth | NWP | Caught on baited hook; videotaped alive at surface; brought aboard research vessel "after putting up quite a fight"; died in the process | Architeuthis sp. | Entire | Entire | Female (immature?) | ML: 1.43 m; EL?: ~7 m; BL+HL?: 3.5 m; WT: 50 kg | Reuters December 22, 2006; The Associated Press December 22, 2006 [via the International Herald Tribune];[21] Nilsson et al. (2012:Supplemental Information) | Numerous media sources | First video of live giant squid. Carcass preserved in formalin displayed at a news conference at the National Science Museum in Tokyo on December 22. Giant squid was hooked when it attempted to eat a smaller squid, "about 55 cm in length", which was attracted by the bait. Eye preserved in 4% formalin; sections of retina embedded in histological Araldite used by Nilsson et al. (2012) to measure rhabdom diameter (5–6 µm). | ||
24 January 2007 | off Ine, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Caught in net, escaped | giant squid | Entire | None | [Anonymous] (2008a) | ||||||
10 July 2007 | Ocean Beach, near Strahan, Tasmania | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis | Entire, missing tentacles | ML: ~1.7 m; EL(estimate): ~6–8 m; BD: ~1 m; WT: ~250 kg | Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery | [Anonymous] (2007a); [Anonymous] (2007b); [Anonymous] (2007e) | Kept in formalin for a month before being preserved in ethanol. Photographed in situ with Ritchie Bauer of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. | ||||
22 or 23 July 2007 (morning) | ~6 km from base of spit, Ocean Beach, Farewell Spit, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis | Entire? | EL?: 4.2 m | [Anonymous] (2007c); [Anonymous] (2007d) | Found by members of Farewell Spit Eco Tours. | |||||
8 August 2007 | Marathon Hump, south of Marathon, Florida Keys, Florida, United States | NWA | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis? | Entire; both eyes and all arms and tentacles intact | EL: 6.79 ft (2.07 m); WT: 2.7 lb (1.2 kg) | Mote Marine Laboratory | Lollar (2007) | Possibly the smallest and most intact giant squid found in the region. Recovered by David Stout of North Fort Myers while dolphin fishing aboard Concrete Gringo in 1,200 ft (370 m) of water. Examined by Debi Ingrao of Mote Marine Laboratory. | ||||
21 August 2007 (reported) | New Zealand | SWP | By trawl | Architeuthis | Entire, missing tentacles | EL(estimate): ~10 m | Submerged in and injected with 5% formalin. Eyes in very good condition. | ||||||
* | 23 August 2007 (reported) | off Elba, Italy | MED | Caught in a deep sea net by fisherman | Architeuthis; Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel, 1857 | Entire, with mature eggs | Female | EL: 1.7 m; WT: 17.6 kg | Marine Biology Laboratory, Livorno, Italy | [Anonymous] (2007f); [Anonymous] (2007g); [Anonymous] (2007h) | Non-architeuthid. Identified by Paolo Sartor. Specimen retrieved in "excellent condition". | ||
29 August 2007 (reported) | beach in Port Underwood, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore; likely discarded by a trawler | Architeuthis | Entire, missing tentacles | WL?: ~3 m; EL(estimate): ~4 m | Johnston (2007) | Found by retired whaler Ted Perano. | |||||
25 October 2007 | off Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | SWA | Caught by fishermen | Architeuthis | Entire | ? | EL?: ~4 m; WT: 130 kg | [Anonymous] (2007i) | Martins & Perez (2009) | Specimen was taken to Niterói, where it was purchased by Alessandro Mello. Martins & Perez (2009) write "the fate of this specimen is currently unknown". | |||
27 December 2007 | beach near mouth of Yura River, Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Found washed ashore | giant squid | Entire? | Female (mature) | EL?: 3.3–3.7 m; ML: ~1.8 m; WT(estimate): 100 kg | National Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo) | [Anonymous] (2008a); [Anonymous] (2008b) | Initially frozen at the Kyoto Prefectural Marine Center. Dissection carried out on 4 February 2008. | |||
February 2008 | off Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | captured | giant squid ("ダイオウイカ") | [Anonymous] (2014l) | ||||||||
28 April 2008 (reported) | off Tenerife, Canary Islands | NEA | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis | Piece of "fresh" arm | Soto et al. (2008); Walker (2008) | Found near diving pilot whales, leading scientists to suggest that pilot whales may feed on giant squid. | ||||||
28 April 2008 (reported) | off Tenerife, Canary Islands | NEA | Pilot whale photographed at surface with a tentacle in its mouth | Architeuthis? | Tentacle | None | EL(estimate): 4–5 m; TL(estimate): >2 m; WT(estimate): 180 kg | Soto et al. (2008); Walker (2008) | Led scientists to suggest that pilot whales may feed on giant squid. Size estimates by teuthologist Angel Guerra. | ||||
9 May 2008 (reported) | 40 km off Hickory Bay, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand, at 112 m depth | SWP | Caught by trawler Austro Carina | "giant squid" | Mantle and tentacles, head missing | ML: 2 m; TL: 4 m | Brown (2008) | Head lost when caught in net. Capture of squid described by Lyttelton skipper Dale Robertson. | |||||
25 May 2008 | about 40 km off Portland, Victoria, Australia, at 556 m depth | SWP | Caught by trawler Zeehaan | "giant squid" | Entire; eyes, skin and fins intact | Entire | Female | EL(intact estimate): >12 m; EL?: 5.5–6 m; WT: 245 kg | Melbourne Museum, Museum Victoria | Burgess (2008); [Anonymous] (2008e); [Anonymous] (2008f); McNamara (2008); [Anonymous] (2008g); [Anonymous] (2008i) | Largest recorded specimen from Australian waters. Capture of squid described by skipper Rangi Pene. Identified as a "colossal squid" in some media reports. Public dissection took place at Melbourne Museum on 17 July 2008, carried out by team of experts led by Mark Norman. | ||
25 June 2008 | about 20 miles (32 km) off Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay, California | NEP | Found floating at surface with gulls feeding on remains | Architeuthis | Entire; missing parts of mantle, most of one tentacle, eyes, sex organs, stomach, ink sac, and heart | Entire | EL(estimate): ~25 ft (7.6 m); WL?: 16 ft (4.9 m); BC: 4 ft (1.2 m); WT: ~170 lb (77 kg); WT(intact estimate): 225–390 lb | Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History | Alexander (2008); Rusk (2008); Hirschmann (2008); [Anonymous] (2008h); Kettmann (2008); Meyers (2011); Williams (2011);[22] | Found by Santa Cruz researcher Sean Van Sommeran and other crew of the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation. Possibly died as a result of shark attack. more Dissected on 26 June 2008 at Long Marine Lab by team including William Gilly, Ken Baltz, and John Field. Specimen was measured, checked for parasites, and tissue samples were taken. Examined again on August 22 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Covered in 2011 book Kraken: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid (Williams, 2011). | |||
16 October 2008 | "beginning" of Farewell Spit, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis | Entire | Entire? | Female? | EL?: 5 m; WT: ~200 kg | Auckland University of Technology | Holst (2008); Rowe (2008) | Gale (2011) | Found by team including Chris Pomeroy and Tim Rowe of Farewell Spit Eco Tours. Transferred in refrigerated truck by Department of Conservation to Steve O'Shea at Auckland University of Technology. Viewed by children from three local primary schools prior to transfer. | |
2009 (reported) | Kerguelen waters | SIO | Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.) | Architeuthis dux | Lower beak | Entire | (adult) | LRL: 16.2 mm | Xavier & Cherel (2009:51, fig. 5) | ||||
2009 (reported) | Kerguelen waters | SIO | Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.) | Architeuthis dux | Lower beak | Entire | (juvenile) | LRL: 10.1 mm | Xavier & Cherel (2009:51, fig. 5) | ||||
2009 (reported) | Kerguelen waters | SIO | Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.) | Architeuthis dux | Upper beak | Entire | URL: 18.1 mm | Xavier & Cherel (2009:82, fig. 5) | |||||
2 April 2009 | Island Bay beach, New Zealand | SWP | Found in shallow water; dragged onto beach | "giant squid" | Entire; "fantastic condition" | Entire | Male? | EL?: 3 m | NMNZ | Paulin (2009); Wood & Easton (2009) | Found by Alana Spragg and Bella Spragg. Probably died only a few hours before being found. Thought to be either a male or a juvenile due to small size. | ||
30 July 2009 | off Louisiana, United States, at >1,500 ft (460 m) depth | NWA | Caught in trawl net of research vessel | Architeuthis | Entire | Entire | Female | EL?: 19.5 ft (5.9 m); WT: 103 lb (46.7 kg) | NMNH | Melvin (2009); Schleifstein (2009) | Roper & Shea (2013:115, figs. 5a–c, 8) | Capture announced by Interior Department on September 21. Stomach contents examined and found to contain mostly fluid with few solid remains. | |
15 August 2009 | near a small bay just west of Beaver Point on Saltspring Island, Canada | NEP | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis dux | Entire | Entire; "badly decomposed" | (juvenile) | EL?: 11 ft (3.4 m) | Horner (2009) | Found by Saanich residents Karia Leschke and Ron Lysek on their boat Stealaway. Identified by invertebrate research biologist Graham Gillespie. Reported on October 5. | |||
14 October 2009 | off Bonin Islands, Japan | NWP | Found floating at surface | Architeuthis | Single tentacle | TL: 3.5 m | Hansford (2009); Wu (2009a); Wu (2009b) | Found and measured by Tony Wu. | |||||
15 October 2009 | off Bonin Islands, Japan | NWP | Female sperm whale photographed near surface carrying giant squid remains in its jaws | Architeuthis | Remains | None | EL?(estimate): 9 m | Hansford (2009) | Group of five adult sperm whales and one calf photographed by Tony Wu. Steve O'Shea suggested adult whales may use remains of giant squid to teach calves about hunting. | ||||
2010 | Fosa de Hércules, off Province of A Coruña, Spain | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis | Entire? | Not stated | [Anonymous] (2011a); [Anonymous] (2011b) | Caught by the trawler Minchos VI. Both this specimen and another caught by Minchos VI in April 2011 were noted for differing anatomically from other Spanish giant squid specimens. | |||||
20 February 2010 | off Niigata, Niigata Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Found washed ashore, dead | Architeuthis sp. | Entire?, good condition | Entire? | ML: 1.7 m; WL: 3.4 m; WT: 109.2 kg | National Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo) | [Anonymous] (2010a); [Anonymous] (2010b) | Local newspapers | Identified by Niigata City Aquarium based on fin shape. | ||
4 July 2010 | near southern seamount off continental shelf out from Narooma, Australia | SWP | Found floating at surface | "giant squid" | Parts of head, arms, and tentacles[?]; partially eaten | None; discarded into ocean | TL[AL?]: "close to" 3 m; EL?(estimate): 5 m | Gorton (2010) | Found by Narooma fisherman Tony Lawson and his crew while chasing bluefin tuna. | ||||
7 August 2010 (morning) | Houghton Bay, Wellington, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore in stormwater channel, dead | "giant squid" | Entire; "in bad shape" | Beak; other remains left to the elements, washed out to sea around 3 pm | EL?(estimate): 3.5–4 m ("small") | NMNZ | Harvey (2010); [Anonymous] (2010c) | Probably attacked at sea. Initially identified as a colossal squid by Department of Conservation Wellington area manager, Rob Stone. Correct identification by Te Papa communications manager, Jane Kieg. Te Papa only interested in beak for examination due to poor condition of specimen. | |||
early April 2011 | Fosa de Hércules, off Province of A Coruña, Spain, at 600 m depth | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis | Entire, missing one tentacle | Entire | Female | EL: 6 m; WT: 48 kg | CEPESMA | [Anonymous] (2011a); [Anonymous] (2011b) | Caught by the trawler Minchos VI. Reported 11 April 2011; captured week prior. Both this specimen and another caught by Minchos VI the previous year were noted for differing anatomically from other Spanish giant squid specimens. Transferred to CEPESMA in Luarca for planned necropsy. | ||
26 June 2011 (morning) | 12 miles (19 km) off Jensen Beach, Florida, United States, over 170 ft (52 m) deep waters | NWA | Found floating at surface, dead [fide Mayfield (2011)] or "barely alive" [fide Torrent (2011)] | Architeuthis dux | Entire, missing one tentacle, patches of red skin intact; "extremely well-preserved" | Entire | EL?: 23–25 ft (7.0–7.6 m); WL?: 11 ft (3.4 m); WT: 200 lb (91 kg) | Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida | Crabbe (2011); Mayfield (2011); Than (2011); Torrent (2011); Thomas (2011, 2 figs.) | May have died shortly after mating. Found by Stuart fishermen Robert Benz, Paul Peroulakis, and Joey Asaro. Transferred to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission field laboratory in Tequesta on June 27, 2011, and to University of Florida later that day. Genetic samples taken. Mantle injected with formalin and specimen submerged in 10% formalin as part of two-week preservation process. | |||
July 2011 (reported 24 August 2011) | around 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Los Gigantes cliff, Tenerife, Canary Islands, over 800–1200 m deep waters | NEA | Found floating at/just below surface, dead | Architeuthis | Entire, missing tentacles, eyes, ends of arms, patches of red skin intact; "in good general condition" | Beak and sucker samples | Female? | EL(estimate with intact tentacles): ~8 m | Association for the Study of Cetaceans in the Canary Islands (SECAC) | Corniola (2011); Lamar (2011) | Found by Aquawork film crew during filming of documentary on local cetaceans. Floating specimen filmed with diver. Several shearwaters observed in area prior to discovery of carcass. | ||
23 August 2011 (reported) | Ocean Beach, entrance to Farewell Spit, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis | Entire | None; left to the elements | EL?: "nearly four metres" | Gale (2011) | Found by Paddy Gillooly of Farewell Spit Eco Tours. | ||||
31 March 2012 (afternoon) | Kaikoura Canyon, New Zealand | SWP | Male sperm whale photographed at surface with severed giant squid arm attached to side of head | "giant squid" | Single arm | None; seen to have detached by following day | None | Nicoll (2012) | Observed by Whale Watch Kaikoura tour group, including tour guide Sarah Rousseaux. Sperm whale (nicknamed MatiMati) had been diving for around 45 minutes prior to observation. | ||||
1 June 2012 | about 50 km off Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia | SWP | Found floating at surface, dead | Architeuthis | Entire, portions of arms and tentacles missing, orange skin intact, not foul-smelling; likely very fresh | Beak and tissue samples; carcass too heavy to bring aboard | WL/EL?: 3 m (estimate) | Holland (2012); Smith (2012); Thomas (2012); numerous media sources | Found by The Daily Telegraph columnist Al McGlashan during tuna and swordfish fishing expedition, after spotting albatross sitting on carcass. Blue shark measuring 2.5 m filmed feeding on remains. Others on board included "McGlashan's fishing partner, Justin Lewis, a film crew and Phil Bolton, who works for the regional fisheries department" (Thomas, 2012). | ||||
July 2012 | ~15 km east of Chichi Island, Japan, initially at 630 m depth; later followed to ~900 m depth | NWP | Filmed and photographed from submersible, alive | Architeuthis | Entire, missing both tentacles | None | WL: 3 m; EL: 8 m (estimate) | Robey (2012); Ito (2013); [Anonymous] (2013a); Johnston (2013); Widder (2013); [NHK] (2013a); [NHK] (2013b); [NHK] (2013c); Kubodera (2013a); Kubodera (2013b); Sakamoto (2013); [NHK] (2014) | Numerous media sources | Filmed by three-man crew from Japan's National Museum of Nature and Science in collaboration with NHK and the Discovery Channel, after around 100 missions and 400 hours. Team included Tsunemi Kubodera, Steve O'Shea, and Edith Widder. Widely reported as first video of giant squid in natural habitat. Observed swimming against current and holding bait squid in arms. Footage officially announced on 10 December 2012, by Robey (2012). | |||
10 October 2012 (afternoon) | Playa de Getares, Punta Carnero, Algeciras, Andalusia, Spain | MED | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux | Entire | Entire | Female (immature) | EL: 6.45/7.5 m; WL?: 3.6 m; WT: 70 kg | El Estrecho Natural Park | [Anonymous] (2012a); [Anonymous] (2012b); [Anonymous] (2013b); [Anonymous] (2013c); [Anonymous] (2013d); Muñoz (2013); Prieto (2013); [Anonymous] (2013h) | Numerous media sources | Largest known specimen from Mediterranean. Found by volunteers who moved it to Cala Arenas, then handed over to CEGMA who transferred it to Algeciras for freezing. Dissected in front of TV cameras on 1 February 2013 by staff from CEPESMA, CSIC, and CEGMA, including Ángel Guerra and Luis Laria. Internal organs examined and tissues sampled for heavy metals and genetic analysis. Specimen found to be extremely thin, with changes in digestive gland and hematopoietic organs. Placed in methacrylate container, first in preservative fluid for 1.5–2 months, then formalin. On public display at El Estrecho Natural Park information point from 22 May through October 2013. | |
3 February 2013 (morning) | off Shark's Tooth point, South Bay, Kaikoura, New Zealand | SWP | Found floating at surface, dead but fresh | "giant squid" | Entire, posterior end of mantle missing (otherwise in "perfect" condition) | Entire | Female | EL: ~8 m [estimated ~11 m if complete]; TL: ~6.5 m; WT(estimate?): >140/150 kg | Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium / NMNZ (one tentacle) | [Anonymous] (2013e); Dangerfield (2013a); Dangerfield (2013b); Williams (2013) | Hill (2015); numerous media sources | Found by Christchurch recreational fishermen Jack and Sharon Osikai around 8 am while returning from fishing trip; towed ashore behind boat. Marine biologist Megan Bosch of Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium speculated bite marks on mantle might have resulted from attack by larger squid. Bosch dissected specimen live on TV3's Campbell Live on 4 February 2013. Stomach contents found to be "well-digested". Specimen on display at aquarium from March 2013 in five custom-made glass containers each holding different parts. | |
19 April 2013 (early morning) | off Uchinoura, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu Island, Japan (31°17′N 131°08′E / 31.283°N 131.133°E) at 45 m depth | NWP | Caught alive in set net | Architeuthis dux | Entire | Entire | Unclear (young) | EL: 608.5 mm; ML: 140.8 mm; VML: 131.0 mm; MW(maximum): 29.4 mm; HL: 34.7 mm; HW: 32.2 mm; FL: 56.2 mm; FW: 40.5 mm; EyD: 18.2 mm; LRL: 2.2 mm; URL: 2.0 mm; FuCL(L/R): 10.2/8.7 mm; FuCW(L/R): 2.9/2.7 mm; WT: 44.8 g; extensive additional measurements | Kagoshima Aquarium | Wada et al. (2015:3); Jozuka (2015) | Numerous media sources | Caught by Shioji Maru. Species identification confirmed by COI sequence analysis. | |
28 April 2013 | near Cape Campbell Lighthouse, Marlborough, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux | Entire, missing tentacles and arm tips, bite damage (otherwise in good condition; eye(s) and red skin intact) | None; left to decompose on beach | WL: 1.5 m; AL: ~0.5 m | Kirk (2013); [Anonymous] (2013f) | Found by Marlborough resident Jason Gluer while quad biking. Inspected by ranger and photographs sent to Te Papa for research purposes. Measurements provided by Department of Conservation spokesperson Clare Duston. | ||||
14 June 2013 | off Hamada, Shimane Prefecture, Japan (34°56′N 131°59′E / 34.933°N 131.983°E) at 120–130 m depth | NWP | Caught in purse seine net | Architeuthis dux | Entire | Entire | Unclear (young) | EL: 1629.0 mm; ML: 332.0 mm; MW(maximum): 88.5 mm; HL: 47.0 mm; HW: 43.1 mm; FL: 100.1 mm; FW: 63.1 mm; EyD: 36.3 mm; LRL: 4.0 mm; URL: 4.2 mm; FuCL(L/R): 30.1/28.3 mm; FuCW(L/R): 6.7/6.7 mm; WT: 390.6 g; extensive additional measurements | Simane Prefectural Fisheries Technology Center | Wada et al. (2015:3); Jozuka (2015) | Numerous media sources | Caught by Yoshikatsu Maru in same purse seine net as 1487 mm EL specimen. Species identification confirmed by COI sequence analysis. | |
14 June 2013 | off Hamada, Shimane Prefecture, Japan (34°56′N 131°59′E / 34.933°N 131.983°E) at 120–130 m depth | NWP | Caught in purse seine net | Architeuthis dux | Entire | Entire | Unclear (young) | EL: 1487.0 mm; ML: 332.0 mm; MW(maximum): 58.5 mm; HL: 33.0 mm; HW: 38.5 mm; FL: 111.9 mm; FW: 67.3 mm; EyD: 36.2 mm; LRL: 4.2 mm; URL: 4.1 mm; FuCL(L/R): 27.0/26.5 mm; FuCW(L/R): 6.4/6.7 mm; WT: 357.0 g; extensive additional measurements | Simane Prefectural Fisheries Technology Center | Wada et al. (2015:3); Jozuka (2015) | Numerous media sources | Caught by Yoshikatsu Maru in same purse seine net as 1629 mm EL specimen. Species identification confirmed by COI sequence analysis. | |
16 August 2013 (afternoon) | ~0.5 mi (0.80 km) off Merón beach, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Found floating at surface, dead | Architeuthis dux | Entire, fresh; with multiple bite marks, missing ends of arms and tentacles, eyes intact | Entire | Female | WT: >70/80 kg; EL(estimate): 8 m | CEPESMA | Ramos (2013); [Anonymous] (2013i); [Anonymous] (2013j); [Anonymous] (2013k); [Anonymous] (2013l); Salas (2013) | Likely carried from Carrandi Trench by strong northeast winds. Found by Gijón fishermen Caesar Ceñal and Pachi Sánchez. Brought to Gijón port and there examined by Luis Laria. Transferred by CEPESMA to Museo del Calamar Gigante in Luarca and frozen for necropsy. Necropsied on 29 September 2013 with male specimen from Palombina. Cause of death determined to be asphyxiation by larger female of possibly more than twice its weight, according to Luis Laria. | ||
mid-September 2013 [recovered just over 10 days prior to 1 October] | Palombina beach, Llanes, Asturias, Spain | NEA | Not stated | Architeuthis | Entire; poor condition | Entire | Male | WT: 55 kg | CEPESMA | Salas (2013); [Anonymous] (2013l); del Castillo (2013) | Necropsied on 29 September 2013 with female specimen from Merón. | ||
1 October 2013 (morning) | by mouth of Deva River, La Arena beach, near Pechón, Val de San Vicente, Cantabria, Spain | NEA | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis dux | Entire, missing skin and part of one tentacle, eyes present though burst; good condition with no external signs of bites or attacks | Entire | Female (adult) | EL: 8.08 m; ML: 1.68 m; HL: 40 cm; AL: 2.3 m; TL: 6 m; WT: 150 kg | Maritime Museum of Cantabria | del Castillo (2013); Chato (2013); San José (2013); [Anonymous] (2013m); [Anonymous] (2013n); [Anonymous] (2013o); Thomas (2013); Bryner (2013) | Bolívar (2015); numerous media sources | Found and documented by underwater photographer Enrique Talledo. Moved to Maritime Museum of Cantabria in Santander where specimen was cleaned, sampled for analysis, and placed in cold storage (initial cold shock at −20 °C followed by −18 °C) under direction of Gerardo García-Castrillo. On morning of 2 October specimen was injected with alcohol, covered with paper moistened with 10% formalin, and finally covered with transparent film; may eventually be put on display. Entire length initially reported as >10 m and weight as 170, 174, or 180 kg. | |
4 January 2014 | Himi fishing port, Toyama Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Not stated | Architeuthis | Entire? | Not stated | EL?: 3–4 m | Yoshikawa (2014); Saul (2014) | [Anonymous] (2014g) | ||||
8 January 2014 (morning) | ~1 km from nearest port, off Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Found in stationary net; filmed alive at surface; died during retrieval | Architeuthis | Entire | Entire, missing tentacles and most of red skin | Male | WL: 411.4 cm; EL(estimate): ~8 m; WT: 163 kg | Fisheries Ocean Research Institute, Niigata Prefecture | Yamamoto (2014); Thomas (2014); [Anonymous] (2014a); Hofilena (2014); Krishnan (2014); Saijo (2014); Yoshikawa (2014); Saul (2014) | Numerous media sources | Caught by fisherman Shigenori Goto, who also caught specimen on 11 February 2014. Found in net for Japanese amberjacks (Seriola quinqueradiata) at 70 m depth at around 7 am local time. Animal died shortly after being brought to surface. | |
19 January 2014 | Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Found washed ashore | Architeuthis? | Arms and tentacles only | Not stated | None | Yoshikawa (2014) | Yoshikawa (2014) states remains were "believed to be from a giant squid". | ||||
21 January 2014 | off Ajiro port, Iwami, Tottori Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Caught in net | Architeuthis | Entire?, missing tentacles | Not stated | EL(estimate): ~8 m | Yoshikawa (2014); Saul (2014) | Described as a "monster squid" on account of its size. Photographed next to person (see Yoshikawa, 2014). | ||||
11 February 2014 | off Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Caught in net | Architeuthis | Entire? | Not stated | EL?: 3–4 m | Yoshikawa (2014) | Caught by fisherman Shigenori Goto, who also caught specimen on 8 January 2014. | ||||
25 February 2014 (morning) | ~5 km from Moroyose fishing port, Shinonsen, Hyogo Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Photographed alive at surface; snared with rope; died during retrieval | "giant squid" | Entire, missing tentacles | Not stated | WL: 4.13 m; EL(estimate): 8–9 m; WT: 150–200 kg | [Anonymous] (2014e) | Spotted by fisherman Tetsuo Okamoto while diving for turban shells at around 10:30 am local time. Squid swam above Okamoto when he was at depth of ~8 m. Squid was secured to boat with a rope and taken to port. | ||||
12 March 2014 | Tokyo Bay, off Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Found floating at surface, captured alive, "died several hours after being caught" | Architeuthis | Entire | Entire; tentacles intact, red skin partly intact | Female | EL: 4.38 m [initially reported as 3.6 m]; WT: ~24 kg | Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park Aquarium | [Anonymous] (2014f); [Anonymous] (2014r); [Anonymous] (2014s); [Anonymous] (2014t); [Anonymous] (2014u) | Caught by local fisherman. Public dissection carried out by Tsunemi Kubodera at Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park Aquarium, Miura, on 8 August 2014 (covered by TV Tokyo). Dissection took 2 hours and involved removal of internal organs, sex determination, and measurements. Small fish bones found in stomach and scales (likely from sardine) in buccal area. Specimen estimated to be 1–2 years old. Planned to go on display at Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park Aquarium, preserved in formalin, from 13 September 2014. | ||
26 March 2014 (early morning) | 200 m off Hayoshi Port, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Sea of Japan, at ~20 m depth | NWP | Caught in fixed fishing net | "giant squid" | Entire | Entire; tentacles intact, red skin missing | Female | EL: 4.48 m; WT: 33.2 kg | National Museum of Nature and Science facility (Tsukuba) | Kakuno (2014) | Caught by local fisherman Yuji Kawaguchi. | ||
26 March 2014 | off Ryotsu Port, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | "captured" | "giant squid" | Entire | Entire; tentacles, eye(s) and red skin intact | Male | EL: 4.35 m; WT: 37.7 kg | National Museum of Nature and Science facility (Tsukuba) | Kakuno (2014) | Caught later the same day as Hayoshi Port specimen, by different local fisherman. | ||
7 April 2014 | ~1 km offshore, Toyama Bay, Toyama Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Caught in fixed net | giant squid ("ダイオウイカ") | Entire, missing ends of tentacle(s) | Not stated | Male | ML: ~1.5 m; WL?: ~3.5 m; EL(estimate): 7 m | [Anonymous] (2014g) | [Anonymous] (2014h); [Anonymous] (2014k) | Caught in fixed net for squid. Alive at time of capture, dead when landed. Examined and measured by expert(s) from Uozu Aquarium. | ||
8 April 2014 (morning) | Toyama Bay, Shinminato, Imizu, Toyama Prefecture, Sea of Japan, at ~300 m depth | NWP | Caught in net | giant squid ("ダイオウイカ") | Entire, tentacles intact | Not stated | ML: ~1.1 m; EL: 5.1 m | [Anonymous] (2014h) | [Anonymous] (2014k) | Second specimen from Toyama Bay in two days. Caught in net for Metapenaeopsis lata (broad velvet shrimp). Tasted by Kazuhisa Hagiwara of Shinminato Fisheries Cooperative Association who described it as very salty. Osamu Inamura, director of Uozu Aquarium, suggested global warming might be responsible for influx of specimens as giant squid's range is pushed northward. | |||
12 April 2014 (morning) | Aika Town, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Found floating at water's edge, alive | giant squid ("ダイオウイカ") | Entire | Not stated | EL: ~5 m | [Anonymous] (2014i) | Found by Etsuo Harada and others at 9 am. Pulled to land and died soon afterwards. | ||||
18 April 2014 (morning) | 3 km off Nanao, Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Caught in fixed net | giant squid ("ダイオウイカ") | Entire, tentacles intact | Not stated | ML: 0.78 m; EL: 4.7/4.8 m; WT: ~30/50 kg | [Anonymous] (2014j); [Anonymous] (2014k); [Anonymous] (2014l); Shinya (2014) | [Anonymous] (2014o); [Anonymous] (2014p); [Anonymous] (2014q) | Became entangled in fixed net around 5:30 am. Taken in Styrofoam box to supermarket in Shinbohon, Kanazawa, and there displayed on ice between 18 and 19 April. Identification confirmed by Shinichiro Ikeguchi, assistant director of Notojima Aquarium, based on size and fin shape. | |||
20 April 2014 | ~130 km off Kitadaito, [Daitō Islands], Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, at 500 m depth | NWP | Caught | giant squid ("ダイオウイカ") | Entire, fresh; missing ends of tentacles and some arms | Entire | WL: ~2.7 m; WT: ~32 kg | Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium? | [Anonymous] (2014m) | Caught by fishermen targeting Thysanoteuthis rhombus (ソデイカ). Transferred to Okinawa Churashima Foundation in Motobu, where specimen was examined beginning on 25 April. Photographed being measured, later fixed in formalin. | |||
27 April 2014 (morning) | ~1 km off Shika, Ishikawa Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Caught in fixed net, alive | giant squid ("ダイオウイカ") | Entire, good condition; eyes, tentacles and some red skin intact | Entire | Male | EL: 5.02 m; WT: ~60 kg | Notojima Aquarium | [Anonymous] (2014n); [Anonymous] (2014o); [Anonymous] (2014p); [Anonymous] (2014q) | Caught around 4:30 am by fishermen including deputy helmsman Isamu Mukai and landed in Togi fishing port. Still alive, specimen was transported in container to Notojima Aquarium in Nanao, but died 3 hours after capture. During transport, specimen was observed opening and closing its eyes and clinging to container with its suckers. Measured at aquarium and displayed there between 3 and 5 May (Golden Week). | ||
7 September 2014 | ~100 mi (160 km) off Matagorda coast, Texas, United States (Gulf of Mexico) | NWA | Found floating at surface, dead | "giant squid" | Entire; missing red skin and posterior end of mantle (bite marks) | Not stated | EL?: 10 ft (3.0 m); WT: 200 lb (91 kg) | "donated to researchers" | Azad (2014) | Found by fisherman Michael Belvin when returning from fishing trip with friends. Identification confirmed by Houston Zoo aquarium supervisor Mike Concannon. Belvin speculated it might have been attacked by a mako shark, based on bite marks. Find covered by KTRK-TV. | |||
13 December 2014 | off Ine, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan | NWP | Caught in set net | Architeuthis dux | Entire | Entire | EL?: 3.2 m; WL?: 2.3 m; WT: ~70 kg | Kyoto Aquarium | [Anonymous] (2015a); [Anonymous] (2015b); [Anonymous] (2015c); [Anonymous] (2016) | Stored frozen at Kyoto Aquarium before being specially dried by seafood processing company Gogyofuku Co. over 8 days beginning on 16 July 2015 (this process takes half a day for a squid of normal size). Specimen shrunk considerably during processing. Displayed at Suma Aqualife Park in Kobe between August and November 2015, and in Kyoto Aquarium beginning June 2016. | |||
13 May 2015 (morning) | South Bay beach, Kaikoura, New Zealand | SWP | Found washed ashore | "giant squid" | Entire | Entire | BL: ~2 m; TL: >5 m; EyD: 19 cm | Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium | Hill (2015) | Numerous media sources | Found by Bruce Bennett at 8:30 am while walking dog. Moved to Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium and stored there in freezer. | ||
6 August 2015 (morning) | ~50 mi (80 km) north of Getaria and Zumaia, opposite Lekeitio, Basque Country, Spain | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis | Entire | Entire | WL: <8 m; WL?: ~4.5 m; WT: >80 kg | CEPESMA (Parque de la Vida, Valdés) | Bolívar (2015); Gómez & Bolívar (2015) | [Anonymous] (2015d); Del Gallo (2015) | Caught by fisherman Antonio Do Veriño. Landed in port of Santander where it was auctioned and won by BM supermarkets, which placed it on display at their store on Rubén Darío street, Sardinero, Santander. Later handed over to Instituto Español de Oceanografía, who passed it on to CEPESMA in Luarca. | ||
23 November 2015 (night) | El Cudillo fishing ground (#202 on map), near Cañón de Lastres, Gijón, Spain, at 300–400 m depth | NEA | By trawl | Architeuthis dux | Entire | Entire | Female (immature?) | EL: 10 m; WT: 150 kg | CEPESMA (Parque de la Vida, Valdés) | [Anonymous] (2015d); Del Gallo (2015); [Anonymous] (2015e); Peláez (2015) | Numerous media sources | Caught by the trawler Minchos VI around 21:30 pm local time, in waters 300 fathoms (550 m) deep. Landed in Muelle del Rendiello, El Musel, Gijón. Frozen in Gijón fish market before being transferred to CEPESMA in Luarca. Planned to be dissected later that year before going on display. | |
24 December 2015 | Toyama Bay, Toyama Prefecture, Sea of Japan | NWP | Filmed alive near surface | "giant squid" | Entire | None | WL: 3.7 m | None | [Anonymous] (2015f) | Numerous media sources | Spent several hours in Toyama Bay harbour where it was filmed by local divers, including professional underwater cameraman Takayoshi Kojima, who swam alongside it. Kojima "helped guide" it out to sea. |
Type specimens
The following table lists the nominal species-level taxa associated with the genus Architeuthis, together with their corresponding type specimens, type localities, and type repositories (after Sweeney & Young, 2003).
Binomial name and author citation | Systematic status | Type locality | Type specimen and type repository |
---|---|---|---|
Loligo bouyeri Crosse & Fischer, 1862:138 | Architeuthid? [fide Gervais (1875:93)] | Canary Islands? | Unresolved |
Architeuthis clarkei Robson, 1933:682, text-figs. 1–7, pl. 1. | Undetermined | Scarborough Beach, Yorkshire, England | BMNH Holotype 1933.1.30.5 + 1926.3.31.24 (radula and beak) [fide Lipinski et al. (2000:106)] |
Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857:183 | Nomen tantum | ||
Architeuthis dux Steenstrup in Harting, 1860:11, pl. 1 fig. 1A. | Valid species [fide Nesis (1987:218)] | 31°N 76°W / 31°N 76°W (Atlantic Ocean) | ZMUC Holotype [fide Kristensen & Knudsen (1983:222)] |
Plectoteuthis grandis Owen, 1881:156, pls. 34–35. | Architeuthis sp. [fide Pfeffer (1912:2)] | Not indicated | BMNH Holotype [fide Owen (1881:156)] [not traced by Lipinski et al. (2000)] |
Loligo hartingii Verrill, 1875b:86, fig. 28. | Valid species; Architeuthis hartingii [fide Verrill (1879–1880a:240)] | Not indicated | University of Utrecht as Architeuthis dux, identification by Harting |
Megaloteuthis harveyi Kent, 1874:181. | Architeuthis sp. | Conception Bay, Newfoundland | YPM Type 12600y [fide S.S. Berry unpublished notes at NMNH] |
Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912:27. | Undetermined | Tokyo Bay, Japan | Undetermined; Holotype [=Mitsukuri & Ikeda (1895:39–50, pl. 10)] |
Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887:155. | Architeuthis stockii (Kirk, 1882) [fide Förch (1998:89)] | Cape Campbell, New Zealand | NMNZ Holotype M.125404 + ?M.125406 [fide Marshall (1996:45)] |
Architeuthis longimanus Kirk, 1888:34, pls. 7–9. | Architeuthis stockii (Kirk, 1882) [fide Förch (1998:89)] | Lyall Bay, New Zealand | NMNZ Holotype; specimen not located [fide Marshall (1996:46)] |
Megateuthis martensii Hilgendorf, 1880 | Valid species; Architeuthis martensii [fide Undetermined] | Yedo Japan fish market, Japan | ZMB Moll. 34716 + 38980 |
Architeuthis megaptera Verrill, 1878 | Nova Scotia, Canada | NSMC 1870–Z-2 | |
Architeuthis? monachus Steenstrup, 1857:184. | Nomen tantum | ||
Architeuthis monachus Steenstrup in Harting, 1860:11. | Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 [fide Stephen (1962:154)] | Raabjerg Strand; Northwest coast of Jutland, Denmark [fide Kristensen & Knudsen (1983:223)] | ZMUC Holotype [fide Kristensen & Knudsen (1983:223)] |
Architeuthis mouchezi Velain, 1875:1002. | Nomen nudum; see Mouchezis sanctipauli | ||
Architeuthis nawaji Cadenat, 1935:513. | Undetermined | Île d'Yeu, Bay of Biscay, France | Unresolved |
Dubioteuthis physeteris Joubin, 1900:102, pl. 15. | Valid species; Architeuthis physeteris [fide Voss (1956:136)] | Azores (38°34'45"N 29°37'W); from sperm whale stomach | MOM Holotype [station 588] [fide Belloc (1950:6); listed incorrectly as station 558] |
Architeuthis princeps Verrill, 1875a:22. | Nomen nudum | ||
Architeuthis princeps Verrill, 1875b:79, figs. 25–27. | Undetermined | a) Grand Banks, Newfoundland; b) North Atlantic (sperm whale stomach) | NMNH? [not found in collections to date]; Syntypes (a) Verrill specimen No. 1, lower beak; b) Verrill specimen No. 10, upper and lower beak) |
Dinoteuthis proboscideus More, 1875:4527. | Architeuthis sp. [fide Pfeffer (1912:2)] | Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland | Unresolved |
Mouchezis sanctipauli Velain, 1877:81, text-fig. 8. | Valid species; Architeuthis sanctipauli [fide Undetermined] | on beach, St. Paul Island (38°43′S 77°32′E / 38.717°S 77.533°E), South Indian Ocean | MNHN Holotype 3-2-658 and 3-2-659 (tentacular clubs only) [fide Lu et al. (1995:324)] |
Steenstrupia stockii Kirk, 1882:286, pl. 36 figs. 2–4. | Valid species; Architeuthis stockii [fide Förch (1998:89)][Architeuthid fide Pfeffer (1912:2)] | Cook Strait, New Zealand | NMNZ Holotype M.125405 + M.125403 [fide Marshall (1996:45)] |
Architeuthis titan Steenstrup in Verrill, 1875b:84. [in Verrill (1881:238, footnote)] | Nomen nudum | ||
Architeuthis verrilli Kirk, 1882:284, pl. 36 fig. 1. | Species dubium [fide Förch (1998:89)] | Island Bay, Cook Strait, New Zealand | NMNZ Holotype; [see Förch (1998:89)] |
Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used in the List of giant squid table.
Oceanic sectors
The genus Architeuthis has a cosmopolitan (Okutani, 2015) or bi-subtropical distribution (Nesis, 2003). The following abbreviations for oceanic sectors are used in the main table. The Atlantic Ocean is divided into sectors at the equator and 30°W, the Pacific Ocean is divided at the equator and 180°, and the Indian Ocean is defined as the range 20°E – 115°E.
- NWA, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
- NEA, Northeast Atlantic Ocean
- SWA, Southwest Atlantic Ocean
- SEA, Southeast Atlantic Ocean
- NWP, Northwest Pacific Ocean
- NEP, Northeast Pacific Ocean
- SWP, Southwest Pacific Ocean
- SEP, Southeast Pacific Ocean
- NIO, Northern Indian Ocean
- SIO, Southern Indian Ocean
- MED, Mediterranean Sea
Measurements
Abbreviations used for measurements and counts are based on standardised acronyms in teuthology, primarily those defined by Roper & Voss (1983), with the exception of several found in older references.
- AC, arm circumference (AC(I), AC(II), AC(III) and AC(IV) refer to measurements of specific arm pairs)
- AD, arm diameter (AD(I), AD(II), AD(III) and AD(IV) refer to measurements of specific arm pairs)
- AF, arm formula
- AL, arm length (AL(I), AL(II), AL(III) and AL(IV) refer to measurements of specific arm pairs)
- ASC, arm sucker count
- ASD, arm sucker diameter
- BAC, buccal apparatus circumference
- BAL, buccal apparatus length
- BC, body circumference (assumed to mean greatest circumference of mantle unless otherwise specified)
- BD, body diameter (assumed to mean greatest diameter of mantle)
- BL, body length (usually equivalent to mantle length, as head length is often given separately)
- CaL, carpus length
- CL, club length (usually refers to expanded portion at the apex of tentacle)
- CSC, club sucker count
- CSD, club sucker diameter (usually largest) [usually equivalent to LSD]
- CW, club width
- DC, dactylus club length
- EC, egg count
- ED, egg diameter
- EL, "entire" length (end of tentacle(s), often stretched, to posterior tip of tail; in contrast to WL, measured from end of arms to posterior tip of tail)
- EyD, eye diameter
- EyOD, eye orbit diameter
- FL, fin length
- FuCL, funnel cartilage length
- FuCW, funnel cartilage width
- FuD, funnel opening diameter
- FuL, funnel length
- FW, fin width
- GiL, gill length
- GL, gladius (pen) length
- GW, gladius (pen) width
- G(W), daily growth rate (%)
- HC, head circumference
- HeL, hectocotylus length
- HL, head length (most often base of arms to edge of mantle)
- HW, head width
- LAL, longest arm length
- LRL, lower rostral length of beak
- LSD, largest sucker diameter (on tentacle club) [usually equivalent to CSD]
- MaL, manus length
- ML, dorsal mantle length (used only where stated as such)
- MT, mantle thickness
- MW, maximum mantle width (used only where stated as such)
- NGL, nidamental gland length
- PL, penis length
- RaL, radula length
- RaW, radula width
- RL, rachis length
- RW, rachis width
- SInc, number of statolith increments
- SL, spermatophore length
- SoA, spermatophores on arms
- SSL, spermatophore sac length
- TaL, tail length
- TC, tentacle circumference (most often of tentacle stalk)
- TCL, tentacle club length
- TD, tentacle diameter (most often of tentacle stalk)
- TL, tentacle length
- TSC, tentacle sucker count (club and stalk combined)
- TSD, tentacle sucker diameter (usually largest)
- URL, upper rostral length of beak
- VML, ventral mantle length
- WL, "whole" length (end of arms, often damaged, to posterior tip of tail; in contrast to EL, measured from end of tentacles to posterior tip of tail)
- WT, weight
Repositories
Institutional acronyms are primarily those defined by Leviton et al. (1985) and Leviton & Gibbs (1988). Where the acronym is unknown, the full repository name is listed.
- AMNH, American Museum of Natural History, New York City, New York, United States
- AMS, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- BMNH, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, England (formerly British Museum (Natural History))
- CEPESMA, Museo-Aula del Mar, Coordinadora para el Estudio y la Protección de las Especies Marinas, Luarca, Spain
- EI, Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts, United States
- FOSJ, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
- ICM, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
- MCNOPM, Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Puerto Madryn (Museum of Natural Sciences and Oceanography), Puerto Madryn, Argentina
- MHNLR, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, La Rochelle, France
- MHNN, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (Musee Barla), Nice, France
- MMF, Museu Municipal do Funchal, Funchal, Madeira
- MNHN, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, Paris, France
- MOM, Musée Océanographique, Monaco
- MUDB, Department of Biology, Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada
- NIWA, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand
- NMI, National Museum of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- NMML, National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, United States
- NMNH, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- NMNZ, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, New Zealand (formerly Colonial Museum; Dominion Museum)
- NMSJ, Newfoundland Museum, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
- NMSZ, National Museum of Scotland, Zoology Department, Edinburgh, Scotland (formerly Royal Museum of Scotland; formerly Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh)
- NMV, Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (formerly National Museum of Victoria)
- NSMC, Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, Canada
- PASS, Peabody Academy of Science, Salem, Massachusetts, United States (now in Peabody Museum of Salem?)
- RSMAS, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, Florida, United States
- SAM, Iziko South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa
- SAMA, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, Australia
- SBMNH, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara, California, United States
- VSM, NTNU Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, Trondheim, Norway (formerly Det Kgl. Norske Videnskabers Selskab Museet)
- YPM, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- ZMB, Zoologisches Museum, Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- ZMMGU, Zoological Museum, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- ZMUB, Universitetet i Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- ZMUC, Kobenhavns Universitet, Zoologisk Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark
Specimen images
The number below each image corresponds to the specimen or sighting in the List of giant squid that the image depicts. The date on which the specimen was first captured, found, or observed is also given.
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Notes
- ↑ Newfoundland's Grand Banks – Ferryland. chebucto.org.
- ↑ Holyrood Architeuthis (1935). Tonmo.com. December 17, 2004.
- ↑ Squid Body From Whale Stomach. Tonmo.com. March 23, 2005.
- ↑ Photograph of Giant Squid Used in F. O. Schmitt's Nerve Research, 1965: Exhibits: Institute Archives & Special Collections: MIT. mit.edu.
- ↑ Aquário Vasco da Gama. Museu de Marinha. (Portuguese)
- ↑ Map from NASA.gov.
- ↑ Ocean Planet: In Search of Giant Squid – Architeuthis dux. Seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved on 2013-09-10.
- 1 2 Mike Sweeney and Clyde F. E. Roper Examining Giant Squid Specimen. Smithsonian Institution Archives.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Architeuthis (Giant Squid) Distribution Map. Tonmo.com. Retrieved on 2013-09-10.
- ↑ Geocities.com. Webcitation.org. Retrieved on 2013-09-10.
- 1 2 Nifty.com
- 1 2 Living Architeuthis Photo. Tonmo.com. March 8, 2004.
- ↑ Nifty.com
- ↑ Mystery squid 2. Tonmo.com. March 15, 2003.
- ↑ Re:Living Architeuthis Photo. Tonmo.com. April 11, 2007.
- ↑ New South African Architeuthis. Tonmo.com. August 15, 2003.
- ↑ Giant squid search results. Natural History Museum Picture Library.
- ↑ Kubodera, T. & K. Mori (2005). First-ever observations of a live giant squid in the wild. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 272(1581): 2583–2586. doi:10.1098/rspb.2005.3158
- ↑ Illusions – Kona, Hawaii Sportfishing, Deep Sea Marlin Fishing
- ↑ Mystery squid 2. Tonmo.com. March 18, 2005.
- ↑ Japanese researchers film live giant squid, say numbers may be plentiful. Associated Press. December 22, 2006.
- ↑ pelagic.org archive pics - June 24, 2008 - Giant Squid. Pelagic.org.
References
- General references
- Bolstad, K.S.R. (2008). Systematics of the Onychoteuthidae Gray, 1847 (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida). Ph.D. thesis, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland.
- Bolstad, K.S.R. (2010). Systematics of the Onychoteuthidae Gray, 1847 (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida). Zootaxa 2696: 1–186. Preview
- Leviton, A.E., R.H. Gibbs, Jr., E. Heal & C.E. Dawson (1985). Standards in herpetology and ichthyology: Part I. Standard symbolic codes for institutional resource collections in herpetology and ichthyology. Copeia 1985(3): 802–832. JSTOR 1444781
- Leviton, A.E. & R.H. Gibbs, Jr. (1988). Standards in herpetology and ichthyology standard symbolic codes for institution resource collections in herpetology and ichthyology. Supplement No. 1: Additions and corrections. Copeia 1988(1): 280–282. JSTOR 1445961
- Roper, C.F.E. & G.L. Voss (1983). Guidelines for taxonomic descriptions of cephalopod species. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria 44: 48–63.
- Giant squid literature