Scientists have uncovered a new large species of squid among 70 types gathered during an exploration of the depths of the Indian Ocean, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature said.
The 70 centimetre long new species is part of the “chiroteuthid” family with light emitting organs that attract prey in the darkness thousands of metres down close to the craggy seabed, the IUCN said. The six-week “Seamounts cruise” last year trawled about 7,000 samples of lifeforms in the southern Indian Ocean from depths of up to 1,200 metres.