| Glacial Squid | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Subclass: | Coleoidea |
| Order: | Teuthida |
| Suborder: | Oegopsina |
| Family: | Psychroteuthidae Thiele, 1920 |
| Genus: | Psychroteuthis Thiele, 1920 |
| Species: | P. glacialis |
| Binomial name | |
| Psychroteuthis glacialis Thiele, 1920 |
|
The Glacial Squid (Psychroteuthis glacialis) is the only known species in the monotypic genus Psychroteuthis, in the family Psychroteuthidae. While only one species has been confirmed, it is possible that two undescribed species also exist. The species occurs in coastal waters near Antarctica and South America. It grows to a mantle length of 44 cm.[1]
P. glacialis is known to feed on many crustaceans, fish, lanternfish antarctic krill, antarctic silverfish, and has been known to practice cannibalism.[2] Animals known to routinely feed on Glacial Squid (excluding cannibalism) include Antarctic Petrel, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Ross Seal, Southern Elephant Seal, Weddell Seal, Patagonian Toothfish, Wandering Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross, and the Emperor Penguin.[3]