In brief
For the first time, scientists have recorded live footage of the Antarctic gonate squid, a rare deep-sea creature found only in remote polar waters.
In a remarkable discovery, researchers aboard the R/V Falkor (Too) spotted the Antarctic gonate squid, known scientifically as Gonatus antarcticus, during a recent National Geographic expedition on Christmas Day 2024. Prior to this sighting, the squid had only been identified in fishing nets and in the stomachs of seabirds. While exploring the remote Powell Basin, scientists maneuvered around chunks of floating ice and deployed their underwater robot, SuBastian. As they descended 7,000 feet, a shadow appeared on their live feed—a three-foot squid releasing a cloud of green ink!Deep-sea researcher Andrew Thurber described it as “a beautiful squid,” showcasing the stunning beauty of the deep ocean. This footage is vital not just for documenting the squid itself, but also for enhancing our understanding of how creatures thrive in extreme depths. Linsey Sala, a museum scientist, highlighted that this kind of discovery can shed light on previously unidentified species and contribute to scientific collections worldwide. The excitement continues as researchers explore the mysteries of our ocean depths!
