The Story of Deep-Sea Squid Sputum

ABSTRACT: The inking behavior of deep-sea squids was studied. Dive footage from Remotely Operated Vehicles was reviewed and information on squid species, depth, ink-type, and behavior was recorded. All species continued to ink throughout their depth range. Each species had a type of ink most commonly released, however, they were not limited to it. Similarly, the type of ink released usually, but not necessarily, coincided with an individuals ’ behavior. Individuals of some species were also collected and videotaped in the laboratory using low-light video equipment. Attempts to provoke ink release were unsuccessful, however, probably due to animal stress. Two hypotheses are presented, the first that ink release in squids living at depths without sun-light penetration relies not on color vision, but on the use of shadows produced by bioluminescence and low-levels of down-welling light. Secondly, I suggest a chemical component to ink in order to explain its continued use at depth. Cephalopods may attract predators because they are…goodies to be seized-M Moynihan Cephalopods are a group of invertebrates that have lost an external means o