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Vampire Squid

Mollusks

The vampire squid is a small cephalopod found throughout temperate and tropical oceans in extreme deep-sea conditions, using bioluminescent organs and a unique oxygen metabolism to thrive in waters with the lowest oxygen concentrations. It carries two long retractile filaments between the first two pairs of arms on its dorsal side that distinguish it from both octopuses and squids, though its closest living relatives are octopuses, and as a phylogenetic relict it is the only known surviving member of the order Vampyromorphida.

Facts
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Dark reddish-brown body that provides camouflage in twilight, deep-sea waters where red light does not reach. 1
Classification
System (Realm)
Marine 2
Scientific Name
Vampyroteuthis infernalis 1
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Vampyroteuthidae, Taxa
Source Wikidata: Vampire Squid

In Ecosystem

Deep Sea, Ecosystems
Source World Wildlife Fund
In the Other Atlases
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Australia, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Brazil, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Chile, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Mexico, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: New Zealand, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Norway, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: South Africa, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: United States, found in there.
Sources
1. MBARI: Vampire Squid
  • Species name (page title)
    Vampyroteuthis infernalis
  • Description
    That dark, reddish-brown color keeps Vampyroteuthis camouflaged in twilight waters where red light cannot reach.
View the Source
2. Wikipedia: Vampire squid
system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
Quote, system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
'vampire squid from hell') is a small cephalopod found throughout temperate and tropical oceans in extreme deep sea conditions.
View the Source
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
International Union for Conservation of NatureView the Source
Wikidata: Vampire Squid
  • Wikidata Q2509902, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
  • Child Taxon Of: Vampyroteuthidae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source
World Wildlife Fund
World Wildlife FundIn Ecosystem: Deep SeaView the Source
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