Giant Squid - Species

Species

The taxonomy of the giant squid, as with many cephalopod genera, has not been resolved. Lumpers and splitters may propose as many as eight species or as few as one. The broadest list is:

  • Architeuthis dux, Atlantic giant squid
  • Architeuthis hartingii
  • Architeuthis japonica
  • Architeuthis kirkii
  • Architeuthis martensi, North Pacific giant squid
  • Architeuthis physeteris
  • Architeuthis sanctipauli, southern giant squid
  • Architeuthis stockii

These are probably not distinct species. No genetic or physical basis for distinguishing between them has been proposed, as evidenced by the place names – of location of specimen capture – used to describe several of them. The rarity of observations of specimens and the extreme difficulty of observing them alive, tracking their movements, or studying their mating habits militates against a complete understanding.

In the 1984 FAO Species Catalogue of the Cephalopods of the World, Roper, et al. wrote:

"Many species have been named in the sole genus of the family Architeuthidae, but they are so inadequately described and poorly understood that the systematics of the group is thoroughly confused."

Nesis (1982) considered only three species were likely to be valid.

In 1991, Frederick Aldrich of the Memorial University of Newfoundland wrote:

"I reject the concept of 20 separate species, and until that issue is resolved, I choose to place them all in synonymy with Architeuthis dux Steenstrup."

In a letter to Richard Ellis dated 18 June 18 1996, Martina Roeleveld of the South African Museum wrote:

"So far, I have seen nothing to suggest that there might be more than one species of Architeuthis."

In Cephalopods: A World Guide (2000), Norman writes:

"The number of species of giant squid is not known, although the general consensus amongst researchers is that there are at least three species, one in the Atlantic Ocean (Architeuthis dux), one in the Southern Ocean (A. sanctipauli) and at least one in the northern Pacific Ocean (A. martensi)."

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