Colossal Squid Are Everywhere. We've Been Looking Wrong
01:20 - The Mistake
03:17 - Invisible Light
04:37 - The Breakthrough
07:56 - So Many Secrets
09:53 - The Least Explored Place on Earth
13:14 - How to Find a Colossal Squid
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REFERENCES:
Rosa, R., Lopes, V.M., Guerreiro, M., Bolstad, K. & Xavier, J.C. (2017). Biology and ecology of the world's largest invertebrate, the colossal squid (*Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni*): a short review. *Polar Biology*. DOI: 10.1007/s00300-017-2104-5
Remeslo, A.V., Yakushev, M.R. & Laptikhovsky, V. (2019). Distribution and biology of the colossal squid, *Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni*: New data from depredation in toothfish fisheries and sperm whale stomach contents. *Deep-Sea Research Part I*, 147, 121–127. DOI: 10.1016/j.dsr.2019.04.002
Nesis, K.N. (1985). Oceanic Cephalopod Molluscs: Distribution, Life Forms, and Evolution. Nauka Press, Moscow. [Cited in Remeslo et al. 2019 for stock estimate of 45–60 million tons]
Kochevar, R.E. (1998). Effects of Artificial Light on Deep-Sea Organisms: Recommendations for ongoing use of artificial lights on deep sea submersibles. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Technical Report. Available: nmsmontereybay.blob.core.windows.net/montereybay-prod/media/research/techreports/Kochevar_1998.pdf
Geoffroy, M. et al. (2021). Pelagic organisms avoid white, blue, and red artificial light from scientific instruments. *Scientific Reports*, 11, 14941. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94355-6
Martini, S. & Haddock, S.H.D. (2017). Quantification of bioluminescence from the surface to the deep sea demonstrates its predominance as an ecological trait. *Scientific Reports*, 7, 45750. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01453-9
Irigoien, X. et al. (2014). Large mesopelagic fishes biomass and trophic efficiency in the open ocean. *Nature Communications*, 5:3271. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4271
Katija, K. et al. (2020). Revealing giant interior flows and disruption in larvacean houses using DeepPIV. *Nature*, 583, 78–82. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2345-2
Arostegui, M. et al. (2025). Large pelagic predators sustained by mesopelagic prey. Marine Ecology Progress Series. Via ScienceDaily, 28 December 2025.