Nordic squid
| Nordic squid | ||||||||||||
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Nordic squid |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Loligo forbesii | ||||||||||||
| Steenstrup , 1857 |
The Nordic squid ( Loligo forbesii ), also known as flame squid , Forbes' squid or European deep-sea squid , is a species of squid (Coleoidea) from the Loliginidae family , the largest of which it is.
features
The length of the mantle is usually around 30-50 cm, but can also reach 90 cm, with the males being larger than the females. The coat is comparatively slim and tapers towards the back. The color of the upper side is red to orange-red, the belly whitish, laterally flaming red stripes can be seen in the front part of the coat. It has paired, horizontal, large side fins which are arranged approximately over the length of the last two thirds of the mantle and together form a diamond shape. The tentacles are strong and have two rows of suction cups, the eyes are very large and white to light bluish. The total length of the animal (without the two long tentacles) can be over 1.20 meters.
distribution
The Nordic squid is found in cool to cold waters. The main distribution area is the Atlantic around the British Isles and off Norway, but the species can also be found further south off Spain and the Azores. In Norway, the species is also found in deep fjords, where it can represent the top predator. Occasional evidence is also available from the western Mediterranean .
Lifestyle and diet
The northern squid usually lives at depths of 50 to 1000 meters on the continental shelf. In contrast to its smaller relatives, it cannot be found in shallow water or in harbors. The squids live solitary or in small schools on continental slopes. During the day they tend to be closer to the ground, while at night they can be seen rising into the open water. The animals swim extremely quickly due to the recoil principle, the prey is caught aggressively and mostly through sudden attacks.
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The Nordic squid feeds on fish, octopus and crustaceans, which it catches as an active hunter. Favorite prey fish include cod , whiting , coalfish , tusk , mackerel and schooling fish such as herring and sand eels . Likewise, smaller squid species as those Zirrenkrake or common squid caught, next include lobster and other crustaceans for used prey. Due to its power, the squid is able to overwhelm even large prey.
Reproduction
Spawning takes place The clutches consist of several elongated, semi-transparent whitish eggs and are attached to stable substrates at depths of 25–40 meters .
The larvae are morphologically similar to the adult specimens , growth is rapid, combined with a high need for food.
Nordic squid and human
The Nordic squid is caught and eaten in its range. The meat is considered a delicacy and far exceeds the quality of the smaller squid species. Fishing methods are longlines, hand-fishing and trawls.
The Nordic squid has the largest nerve fibers in the animal kingdom, some main axons are giant axons up to 1.5 mm thick. These nerve cells have long been used for experiments in neuroscience. A targeted rearing of the squids failed due to the aggressiveness and the exclusive feeding of the animals by live prey.
Anglers occasionally catch the Nordic squid as bycatch in Scandinavia when pilk fishing for cod and ling . Slowly guided red baits have proven particularly catchy.
literature
- Roger Hanlon, Mike Vecchione, Louise Allcock: "Octopus & Co.". DK Edition Delius, 2018
- Philippe Bouchet (2018). "Loligo forbesii Steenstrup, 1856". World Register of Marine Species. Flanders Marine Institute.
- Guerra, A. and F. Rocha. (1994). The life history of Loligo vulgaris and Loligo forbesi (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae) in Galician waters (NW Spain).
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d Philippe Bouchet: Loligo forbesii Steenstrup, 1856. World Register of Marine Species, Flanders Marine Institute, 2018, accessed on December 22, 2019 (English).
- ↑ a b c d e f Roger Hanlon, Mike Vecchione, Louise Allcock: Octopus & Co. Delius Klasing Verlag, 2018, ISBN 3-667-11577-6 .
- ^ A b Guerra A., Rocha F .: The life history of Loligo vulgaris and Loligo forbesi (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae) in Galician waters (NW Spain) . In: Fisheries Research . tape 21 , no. 1-2 , December 1994, pp. 43-69 , doi : 10.1016 / 0165-7836 (94) 90095-7 (English).