Stubby Squid

Todd Sain Sr.

3 weeks ago

Source: http://tinyurl.com/4vctkxxf Photo: Jonathan Cowles CCL: http://tinyurl.com/2s4apsss

Stubby Squid, Rossia pacifica — Source: http://tinyurl.com/4vctkxxf Photo: Jonathan Cowles CCL: http://tinyurl.com/2s4apsss

Stubby Squid Facts

This remarkable creation of Nature and evolution most freuently goes by the somewhat amusing common name of the Stubby Squid. Yet, it has a few other general titles. These include the terms North Pacific Bobtail Squid and Pacific bob-tailed squid.
Inside of the scientific community, however, it’s perhaps better known by its technical designation. Fortunately for the layperson, that’s an extremely easy to pronounce epithet compared to most. That’s because it holds the formal tag of Rossia pacifica.
The amazing cephalopod received that official moniker due to the efforts of Samuel Stillman Berry. This respected American marine zoologist accomplished the first recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He managed that notable feat in 1911.
This marvel of evolution garners interest among researchers for a variety of reasons. Among those is the fact that scientists currently acknowledge two separate subspecies. It’s entirely possible, though, that ongoing research may discover others in the future.
For the moment, data on the population and relatively density of this for the Stubby Squid continues to be scarce. The IUCN therefore understandably currently lists the creature as Data Deficient. That status is reflected on the organization’s Red List.
Despite this uncertainty, it’s reasonable to assume that the biological wonder faces, at least, the same potential threats to its existence as all other life on this planet. Most of these stem from the actions of man, including the danger posed by climate change.

Atlantic White-Spotted Octopus

Striped Pyjama Squid

Greater blue-ringed octopus

Source: http://tinyurl.com/2ptwe77e Photo: Dan Hershman CCL: http://tinyurl.com/22y23f9m

Stubby Squid Physical Description

The remarkable Stubby Squid fully earns its respect and appreciation from those fortunate enough to encounter it. Yet, it does not do so due to any impressive physical stature. That’s because, while Nature provided it many wonderful features, size isn’t among them.

In that regard, the creature follows a pattern common to its relatives. That’s in the fact that it displays a certain degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its specific case, this trait manifests itself in terms of sheer physical dimensions.

More precisely, females of the species attain a greater overall size than their male counterparts. The total difference, however, is relatively minor. In general, the animal reaches a mantle length of only 2 in (5 cm). Arms included, it only reaches 4.3 in (11 cm).

Not fused to the head, the mantle is flattened, but rounded near the back portion. On either side of this, though, two large, semi-circular fins, with wide bases, appear. Yet, the animal conspicuously lacks the large bone here typical to most members of its Family.

It’s the head of the Stubby Squid that stands out the most, however. This body part hosts two greatly out-sized eyes. It also holds a pair of retractable tentacles. Not done there, evolution also placed eight arms here. Short in length, they serve as the source of the name.

As with most of its kindred, the coloring of the out skin varies at will. Typically, though, this primarily consists of a background of reddish-brown. But, a scattering of small spots of yellow or brown also appear. Yet, this changes to a grayish-green in times of stress.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Sepiida
Family: Sepiolidae
Genus: Rossia
Species: R. pacifica

Stubby Squid Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The intriguing Stubby Squid evolved as native to a moderately large expanse of the marine regions of the earth. Its zone of habitation consists of certain sections of the Pacific Ocean, as its scientific name suggests. More precisely, it lives in the northern areas of that range.

One end of that approximate range extends from Japan and Korea, in Asia. From there, though, it also appears in the waters of the Bering Sea. Yet, extending outward, its territory also reaches as far as California, on the west coast of the United States, in North America.

Evolution provided this marvel with a strong advantage over other, related species. That’s due to the fact that it displays a strong flexibility regarding its choice of habitat depth, at least. It’s been seen at depths ranging from only 66 ft (20 m) to as great as 4,300 ft (1,311 m).

However, in all areas it does choose to live in, it shows the same patterns. The animal typically remains near the seafloor. This often includes regions of muddy sand, often with a sloping nature closer to shore. Amazingly, it’s even been spotted in polluted bay areas.

The aptly-named Stubby Squid lives a primarily solitary life. It’s rarely seen in groups, except for mating purposes. Like its relatives, it also developed as a carnivorous species. It’s diet principally consists of shrimp. Yet, it also eats other prey, such as crabs and fish.

For breeding, the animal usually moves out to deep water. That generally occurs in late summer and autumn. Having an average lifespan of roughly two years, both male and female typically die soon after mating. Females usually lay between twenty-five and thirty eggs.