Exceptionally rare octopus squid dissected by researchers at university

August 15, 2024 6:35 PM

Exceptionally rare octopus squid dissected by researchers at SA university. School-age, university students and keen members of the public have gathered to observe a rare public dissection of a 140kg Dana octopus squid (Taningia danae) found off South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (5 comments total)

300 pounds of Calamari. I hope they had a nice dinner after the dissection.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 7:44 PM on August 15 [2 favorites]

That's very cool, what a nice idea to bring students and the public in! And seriously good on the fishers who found it and decided instead of just leaving it to put in the effort to collect the specimen and contact a scientist to see if it would be of interest, that's really cool.
posted by biogeo at 8:00 PM on August 15 [3 favorites]

And although Keeley found it gross, she said she's "seen worse" - my favourite reaction from one of the school age kids.
posted by rongorongo at 10:36 PM on August 15 [1 favorite]

glad to read upon clicking through that it'd been found dead. if it'd been found alive, dissecting the poor thing wouldn't help it become less exceptionally rare
posted by are-coral-made at 12:59 AM on August 16 [1 favorite]

Although the specimen inadvertently landed in a bush during the moving process, a large group gathered to watch Dr Meyer cut open the squid and showcase its inner workings.

There's a lot going on in this sentence.
posted by fight or flight at 1:31 AM on August 16