Abstract
The colossal squid ( Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni ) is the world's largest invertebrate and its large size and some unique morphological characters have fuelled speculation that it is an aggressive top predator in the circum-Antarctic Southern Ocean. Here, we present estimates on the metabolic and energetic demands of this cold-water deep-sea giant. The estimated mass-specific routine metabolic rate for the colossal squid at 1.5°C was 0.036 µmol O 2 h −1 g −1 and the projected daily energy consumption (45.1 kcal day −1 ) was almost constant as a function of depth in the nearly isothermal Antarctic waters. Our findings also indicate the squid shows a slow pace of life linked with very low prey requirements (only 0.03 kg of prey per day). We argue that the colossal squid is not a voracious predator capable of high-speed predator–prey interactions. It is, rather, an ambush or sit-and-float predator that uses the hooks on its arms and tentacles to ensnare prey that unwittingly approach.
Original language | American English |
---|---|
Journal | Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom |
Volume | 90 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- colossal squid
- Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni
- Southern Ocean
- metabolism
- energy demand
- prey requirements
Disciplines
- Life Sciences