A rare species of mollusk found in the depths of the oceans is notable for its ability to glow in the dark and strange features such as the skin between the tentacles. The curiosity that surrounds it is also in the rarity it is found by humans.
Scientific name is vampire squid Vampyroteuthis infernalis – andMeans “vampire squid from hell” in Latin – first described in 1903. It has a red body and lives in dark, cold habitats at depths between 600 and 900 meters below sea level.
Senior scientist Bruce Robison of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in California explained to Newsweek that the animals “have eight tentacles and two long, thin filaments that they use to collect food particles.”
But despite their name and appearance, these animals are not classified as squid or octopus. In fact, they belong to their own order of cephalopods. vampiromorphexplains the publication, which is the only known surviving member of this category.
Also, according to the scientist, between the tentacles there is a similar web with an umbrella. This is why the allusion to vampires is because the skin is similar to those found on bat wings.
Another feature concerns the morphology of these animals. Existing specimens of vampire squid retain traits recorded in their ancestors who lived hundreds of millions of years ago. That’s why they’ve been called “living fossils” by scientists.
They’re also notable for their use of bioluminescence. They can secrete a luminous fluid from a porous, shiny organ located at the tip of each tentacle. Robison explains that this trait is used when vampire squid feels threatened, changing its appearance to distract and confuse potential predators.
Like many other marine species, vampire squid suffer from water pollution. The scientist says that in the analyzes plastic fibers and particles have already been detected in their stomach. In addition, the increase in ocean temperature changes the food web, that is, the natural connection of food chains.
source: Noticias
