Posted on 03/27/2002 6:42:18 PM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK
Giant Octopus Dredged Up Off New Zealand
March 27
— WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Scientists have identified what they believe is the largest octopus ever seen, a 13 foot long giant hauled from the depths near New Zealand's remote Chatham Islands.
The dead specimen, caught in a trawler's net, was badly damaged but it was clearly a massive animal, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)marine biologist Steve O'Shea.
"It would easily have been four-plus meters in total length and a weight of 70-75 kg (154-165 pounds), if not more -- it's a very big octopus, the size of a fully mature male giant squid." O'Shea had provisionally identified the specimen, caught at a depth of more than 3,000 feet, as Haliphron Atlanticus, a bright red, jelly-like species of octopus not previously found in the South Pacific.
Juveniles of the species had been found in shallow northern waters, with adults believed to live at a depth of around 250 meters so the discovery was unusual, he said.
"It's extremely deep, it's extremely large, it's the first recorded in the South Pacific, it may not even be the species we've attributed to it at this point in time -- I've got a lot more work to do on it."
People had been amazed when he relayed the details of the creature, O'Shea said.
"But down here in New Zealand, this is an area which is so poorly explored that its not surprising that we're getting all these weird and wonderful animals.
"The frightening thing is that we are getting an animal like this newly reported in New Zealand waters today...so new and large, you've got to sit down and ask yourself 'What is it we know about the deep sea environment?'," O'Shea said.
Octopuses are one of the most diverse creatures on earth, with several hundred species worldwide and more than 40 species found in New Zealand waters alone.
The Chathams are a windswept group of islands around 530 miles east of Christchurch, home to around 800 people engaged in sheep farming and fishing.
A staff member from New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research inspects a 13-foot long giant octopus in Wellington on March 27, 2002, after it was caught by fishing trawler in New Zealand waters. Scientists believe the octopus, hauled from the ocean's depths near the remote Chatham Islands, is one of the largest ever seen. (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research via Reuters)
Thank you.
Chathams find is biggest octopus ever
28.03.2002
By ANNE BESTON environment reporter
The biggest octopus ever found has been caught by New Zealand scientist Dr Steve O'Shea off the Chatham Islands.
The giant dead octopus, which was caught by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research's ship Tangaroa, is not complete, but still measured 2.6m.
Intact, it could have been a metre longer, said Dr O'Shea, a marine biologist and researcher with Niwa.
The octopus was caught as a byproduct of Tangaroa's fish stock survey late last year but was not examined closely at first because Dr O'Shea thought the brilliant red gelatinous blob was just another giant squid - the animal he specialises in.
After catching more than 70 giant squid over the past 10 years, he thought this one could wait a while before he took a closer look.
When he did, he found the giant animal was the first confirmed record in the South Pacific of the rare gelatinous octopus Haliphron atlanticus - and the largest specimen known.
Dr O'Shea said the haliphron was poorly understood though it had been recorded that the female brooded eggs in her arms.
It was once thought to be part of New Zealand fauna but has since been struck off the list because of a lack of scientific evidence.
Most of those caught had been juveniles found in depths of less than 33m, although a few larger animals had been found at depths exceeding 250m. The octopus is thought to live on or very near the sea floor.
Scientists also thought the biggest the octopus grew was 2m. Dr O'Shea said it was remarkable, given the number of juveniles caught, that large adults had not been caught more often.
This one was found on the Chatham Rise at a depth of less than 1000m, an area and depth that had been extensively trawled for decades.
"Either it has escaped trawl nets for decades or it usually resides in areas or depths that we have yet to regularly sample," he said.
Because the biology of the species has not been reported in detail, especially one as large and mature as this female, it would now be fully scientifically described.
The discovery brought the total number of octopus species known to exist in New Zealand waters to 42, Dr O'Shea said.
He had notified the find around the world.
Octopus, the other other white meat.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.