Rare and Interesting Squids in Japan X : Recent Occurrences of Big Squids from Okinawa

Abstract

Big specimens of Asperoteuthis acanthoderma and Megalocranchia sp. that were all landed at Okinawa area were investigated. Three specimens of A. acanthoderma (all females) were measured 450-780 mm ML. Various characters exhibit those of a full grown stages than the type specimens which were 144.5 and 188 mm. Two specimens (also females) of Megalocranchia sp. were 1420+ and 1838 mm, respectively. This may be the largest record of the Cranchiidae except for the Antarctic Mesonychoteuthis.