Possible imitation of jellyfish by the squid paralarvae of the family Gonatidae (Cephalopoda, Oegopsida)

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: Arkhipin, Alexander, Bizikov, Vyacheslav
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 1996
• Subjects: Bering Sea; Polar Biology
• Online Access: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/50960/; https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/50960/1/3082.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02329074

Paralarval behaviour of eight species of the family Gonatidae (Teuthodiea, Cephalopoda) was examined in small 3-1 aquaria on board ship during planktonic surveys, which were carried out above and off the continental slope of the western part of the Bering Sea. Undisturbed paralarvae moved in aquaria with an average frequency of 15-20 mantle contractions per minute. In response to a sudden disturbance (flash of light, impact to the aquarium wall) squids exhibited a defensive body posture, relaxing the mantle and pulling the head with tentacles and arms into the mantle cavity, thereby becoming similar in appearance, size and colour to small jellyfishes Aglantha digitalis (Hydromedusae)