First observations of the bigfin squid Magnapinna sp. in the Colombian Southern Caribbean

Abstract

Herein, first observations are reported of Magnapinna squids in the Colombian Southern Caribbean. Two specimens were observed by Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) during exploratory drilling surveys for hydrocarbons at 1,883 and 2,294 m depth. These are the first observations of specimens of Magnapinna in the Southern Caribbean.ResumenLa primera observación del calamar Magnapinna sp. en el caribe sur colombiano. Dos especímenes de calamares de aleta grande fueron observados con submarino de operación remota (ROV) durante un proyecto de perforación exploratoria de hidrocaburos a profundidades de 1,883 y de 2,294 m, respectivamente. Estas son las primeras observaciones de especímenes de Magnapinna en el Caribe Sur.

Multiple observations of Bigfin Squid (Magnapinna sp.) in the Great Australian Bight reveal distribution patterns, morphological characteristics, and rarely seen behaviour

“…Five sightings in the Great Australian Bight is a considerable number, given previous observations of the family over 30 years total around a dozen globally [ 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Comparing the rate of Magnapinna squid sightings from previous surveys is difficult as relevant survey details are often not readily available.…”

“…It is not known whether the outcome would have differed with another observer, and to date there have been no published studies by specialised taxonomists based on imagery of deep-sea squid in Australia. The peculiarity and distinctiveness of Magnapinna squid has meant that even incidental sightings from hydrocarbon well operations have been reported, but such peculiarity does not guarantee that generalist annotators would recognise the interest in its reporting [ 21 ]. It may be that imagery of Magnapinna squid are present in already surveyed areas, both in Australia and around the world, but have not yet come to light due to lack of identification at the appropriate taxonomic scale.…”

“…A cosmopolitan distribution has been hypothesised, but to date only three sightings have been reported in the southern hemisphere [14,19,20]. Knowledge of Magnapinna remains limited, as collected specimens are damaged and/or juvenile, and only a dozen in-situ sightings have been recorded globally [14,[17][18][19][20][21].…”

Deep-sea holothurians (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea) from the Colombian Southern Caribbean Sea

“…Images obtained by ROV and towed camera surveys provide new and valuable information about benthic and bathypelagic megafauna from great depths, which are unexplored not only in the Colombian Caribbean Sea but also in other regions. In recent years, several publications on the deep-sea megafauna from the Colombian Southern Caribbean have provided new records for fishes and invertebrates, including cnidarians and mollusks, among others (Digby et al 2016;Acero et al 2018;Guerrero-Kommritz et al 2018a, 2018bCedeño-Posso et al 2019;Dueñas et al 2019). Particularly for echinoderms, studies such as in the Gulf of Mexico and around the world have provided in situ images of several species, and these images are the basis for new records of species as well as ecological information (Pawson 1982;Miller and Pawson 1990; Bluhm and Gebruk 1999;Gebruk 2008;Rogacheva et al 2013;Pawson et al 2015;Stratman et al 2018;Victorero et al 2018).…”

Role-Playing to Foster ‘Deep-Sea Exploration’ Through Active and Virtual Learning: A Class-Design for Colombian Higher Education

“…Colombia is perhaps the country with the highest marine biological diversity in South America. Nonetheless, marine science in Colombia has developed slowly for 35 years, with the first paper published by Colombian scientists in an international journal in the late 1960s (Díaz & Acero, 2003) and with an even newer research of the deep-seafloor, mostly based on opportunistic information from the oil and gas industry (Acero P, Polo-Silva, León, & Puentes, 2018;Dueñas et al, 2019;Guerrero-Kommritz, Cantera, Puentes, & Leon, 2018). Consequently, the contribution and importance of Colombian deep-sea resources to the national economy and the development of its coastal zones falls short, resulting in a low level of maritime culture among the population and failing at granting scientific information about oceanographic and biological opportunities in the deep sea that would meet societal needs in Colombian communities.…”