Researchers found evidence that the giant squid from a single species. This genetic evidence refutes the theory that the giant squid of eight species. "We took 43 samples of animal tissue by chance, from a variety of waters in the world," said Thomas Gilbert, a geneticist from the Centre for GeoGenetics Natural History Museum of Denmark. The samples were taken from waters in Spain, South Africa, Southern Pacific, and Japan.
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| A model of a giant squid versus sperm whale. Photo taken at the American Museum of Natural History. (Picture from: http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/) |
In fact, researchers found no difference. From the 20 thousand base pairs in the mitochondrial genome, the difference only was found in 181 places. "It's weird," said Gilbert. "Animals that live in different regions of the world have just a little difference."
Single species could be explained if before the population damage occurred that kills many types of giant squid and leave one from the strongest species later spread throughout the world. Then the single species populations increasing rapidly since 30 thousand years ago.
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| Scientists estimate that giant squid could grow up to 60 feet (18 meters) long, including their massive tentacles. (Picture from: http://www.livescience.com/) |
Gilbert expressed another view that mentions the species similarity occurred in recent time. Explosion whaling industry to be the cause. Giant squid is the prey of sperm whales that were killed by fishermen around the world. When the number of predators thinned out, the giant squid is growing rapidly and spreading throughout the waters freely.
Louise Allcock, a geneticist at the National University of Ireland, who participated in the study, said the two theories above is enough to explain the current situation. But there are other factors that can lead to the emergence of single species. The climate change factor is very likely create explosion of giant squid population.
The giant squid is the mysterious legendary creature among the sailors. Measured from head to tip of tentacles, this animal had an average length of 10 meters and the largest can reach 18 meters. Weighing hundreds of kilograms that consists of hood, eye diameter of 25 centimeters, a sharp snout, eight legs and two tentacles with suction gear. The first photograph of this animal obtained in 2002.
Previously the sciencetists estimate there are eight species of giant squid are scattered in three major territories in the world. The different types are obtained from the difference in the muzzle. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE | ANTON WILLIAM | KORAN TEMPO 4176]
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