List of giant squid specimens and sightings (20th century)

This list of giant squid specimens and sightings from the 20th century is a comprehensive timeline of human encounters with members of the genus Architeuthis, popularly known as giant squid. It includes animals that were caught by fishermen, found washed ashore, recovered (in whole or in part) from sperm whales and other predatory species, as well as those reliably sighted at sea. The list also covers specimens incorrectly assigned to the genus Architeuthis in original descriptions or later publications.

This much-reproduced photograph shows a giant squid found at Ranheim in Trondheimsfjord, Norway, on 2 October 1954 (#137 on this list), being examined by Professors Erling Sivertsen and Svein Haftorn. The unusually complete specimen measured 9.24 m in total length and had a mantle length of 1.79 m. Specimens such as this, if properly preserved, can provide important scientific data long after they are collected; the animal pictured had its beak morphometrics and tentacle morphology studied by Roeleveld (2000) and Roeleveld (2002), respectively.

Background

The frequency of documented giant squid encounters greatly increased throughout the 20th century, providing much insight into the species's biology and life history. It was found that giant squid are preyed upon not only by sperm whales but by a wide range of other animals including albacore (#192), lancetfish (#151 and 165; see #48 for 19th century record), swordfish (#232), blue sharks (#215 and 366), Portuguese dogfish (#202), shortfin mako sharks (#204 and 416), sleeper sharks (#385, 394, 415, 417, and 418), and northern elephant seals (#277 and 328). One specimen taken alive by troll was reportedly attacked by a false killer whale during retrieval (#247).

Observations of live and freshly dead animals also revealed new aspects of giant squid behaviour, including rapid colour change (#379) and high-speed swimming at the surface (#107), though the veracity of the latter observation has been questioned (Ellis, 1998a:201). Additionally, examinations of dead specimens and partial remains provided data on diet (#226 and 401), longevity and habitat (#360, 362, and 365), depth of occurrence and buoyancy (#246 and 265), metabolism and locomotory ability (#400), as well as tentacle regeneration and internal parasites (#170). New preservation methods, including plastination (#414), were also trialled.

The large-scale commercial exploitation of sperm whales, particularly from the end of World War II to the 1970s, provided a rich source of giant squid remains for scientific study. The vast majority of these consisted of disarticulated beaks (with up to 47 found in a single sperm whale stomach; #327), though more substantial remains were occasionally recovered, including even whole adult specimens (#85, 129, 138, 153, 208, 225, and 234), with one reportedly showing signs of life after being vomited (#129). The most important figure in the study of ingested giant squid remains was marine biologist Malcolm Clarke, who authored around a dozen relevant papers (Herring, 2014:118; Rodhouse et al., 2015; Gomes-Pereira et al., 2017).

Following the flurry of new giant squid species descriptions that characterised the latter half of the 19th century, the 20th century saw only three newly erected species: Architeuthis japonica by Pfeffer (1912:27), based on a specimen caught in Tokyo Bay in 1895 (#66); Architeuthis clarkei by Robson (1933), based on a carcass that washed ashore in Scarborough, England, earlier that year (#108); and Architeuthis nawaji by Cadenat (1935), based on a specimen caught in the Bay of Biscay the same year (#110). The consensus today is that there exists only a single, globally distributed species of giant squid: Architeuthis dux (Winkelmann et al., 2013; Guerra et al., 2013).

The second half of the 20th century saw the first serious efforts to photograph or film a live giant squid. Beginning in the late 1980s, most of these early attempts were led by either Frederick Aldrich or Clyde Roper, the two foremost giant squid experts of their time. However, it would not be until the first years of the 21st century that this milestone was finally achieved.[nb 1]

List of giant squid

#DateLocationNature of encounterIdentificationMaterial citedMaterial savedSexSize and measurementsRepositoryMain referencesAdditional referencesNotes
731902north of Faroe Islands, Atlantic Ocean
{NEA}
Found floating at surface, dead?Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire, very bad conditionEntireBL+HL: 76 cm; ML: 63 cm; MW: 15 cm; FL: 26.7 cm; FW: 8 cm; TL: 214 cm; ASD: 8 mm; TSD: 11 mmBergen Museum [=ZMUB?]Murray & Hjort (1912); Grieg (1933:20)Broch (1954:151)Young specimen taken by Michael Sars.
7415 August 1903Mjofjord, Iceland
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Tentacle (partial), armTentacle (from mouth of whale)TD: 17 cm; ?AL: 6 mBergen Museum [=ZMUB?]Murray & Hjort (1912); Grieg (1933:21)Length of arm given by whalers.
75July 1906?, Norway
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Collett (1912:635)
761907?, Norway
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Collett (1912:635)
77March 1909off Highland Light, Truro, Massachusetts
{NWA}
Not stated; floating at surface?Architeuthis sp.EntireNoneAL: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m); ?WL: ~16–17 ft (4.9–5.2 m); AD: 4 in (10 cm)NoneBlake (1909:43)Found by schooner Annie Perry; attempted to be hoisted aboard but cut in half by rope; tentacle [arm] saved but later discarded.
78July 1909?, Norway
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Collett (1912:635)
79September 1910off coast of Mayo, Ireland
{NEA}
From two sperm whale stomachsArchiteuthis sp.Two upper beaks and eye lens(es)Entire?NoneNMI; catalog no. 1912.75.1 (possibly also 1995.16.484)Massy (1913:2); Sigwart & Leonard (2009:96)Collected by Captain Bruun from two sperm whale stomachs per Massy (1913), but specimen label indicates a single sperm whale and gives donor name as E.W.L. Holt (Sigwart & Leonard, 2009). A second Architeuthis accession (NMI 1995.16.484), which lacks an acquisition date but is labelled "Beak and eye of Cuttlefish from stomach of sperm whale. Blacksod Bay [in County Mayo]. Given by H.C. Hartnell.", may represent the remains from the second sperm whale stomach reported by Massy (1913); based on its label this specimen appears to date from the late 19th to early 20th century (Sigwart & Leonard, 2009).
801910/1911? (autumn)Lundenes, Grytøya, Senjen, Norway
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireNoneWL: 1.2 mBrinkmann (1916:178); Grieg (1933:20)Nordgård (1928:71); Sivertsen (1955:11)
81June 1911Monterey Bay, California, United States
{NEP}
Floating at surface, deadUnidentified; Architeuthis?Entire; "in very bad condition, there was no color left, and the epidermis had all sloughed off"NoneEL: >30 ft (9.1 m)Berry (1912:117)
82
(📷)
February 1912Veiholmen, Smøla, Norway
{NEA}
Found in shallow waterArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireEntireBL: 1.9 m; TL: 6.7 mKristiansund MuseumBrinkmann (1916:180, fig. 3); Grieg (1933:20)Nordgård (1928:71); Sivertsen (1955:11)
831912Japan
{NWP}
UnknownPfeffer (1912)Ellis (1998a:260)
8412 October 1912Monterey Bay, California, United States
{NEP}
Not indicatedUnidentified; Architeuthis?EntireNoneWT: ~500 lb (230 kg)Berry (1914:22)Observed by Mr. K. Hovden (Manager, Booth Canning Company, Monterey). Eaten raw by Italian fishermen who "captured" it. [Highly doubtful considering ammonium chloride present in giant squid tissues.]
85June–September 1913Belmullet whaling station, Ireland
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis harveyi (Kent, 1874)Entire, plus other partsTip of tentacle; beak and radula; other dry beaks plus portion of gladiusML: 6 ft (1.8 m); BC: 4 ft (1.2 m); AL: 6 ft (1.8 m); TL: 21 ft (6.4 m); FL: 1 ft 7 in (0.48 m); FW: 1 ft 9.5 in (0.546 m)Undetermined; University of Liverpool?Hamilton (1915:137); Hardy (1956:286); Collins (1998:489)Rees (1950:40)From 57 ft 3 in (17.45 m) male sperm whale (no. 22) examined by J.E. Hamilton.
86
(📷)
22 November 1915 [21 November fide Roeleveld (2002:727)]Lerøya, Austrheim, north of Bergen, Norway
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireInitially entire [head and viscera fide Roeleveld (2000:185); Roeleveld (2002:727)]Male [immature female fide Roeleveld (2000:185); Roeleveld (2002:727)]ML+HL: 1550 mm; ML: 1310 mm; BD: 440 mm; HW: 310 mm; FL: 430 mm; FW: 105; AL(I): 1780 mm; AL(IV): 1640 mm; TL: 5600 mm [TL: 4925 mm [right] fide Roeleveld (2002:729)]; CL: 745 mm [right]; CSC: 262 [right]; TSC: 287 [right]; LRL: 15.8 mm; URL: 15.9 mm; additional beak measurements, indices, and countsZMUB; ZMUB 43689 [specimen NA-12 of Roeleveld (2000) and Roeleveld (2002)]Brinkmann (1916:175, fig. 1); Grieg (1933:17); Roeleveld (2000:185); Roeleveld (2002:727)Nordgård (1928:71); Sivertsen (1955:11); Toll & Hess (1981b:754)Plaster cast made of specimen also in Bergen Museum. Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
8717 March 1916Hellandsjo, west of Hevnefjord, Norway
{NEA}
Found washed ashore, aliveArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireA little of the front part, tentacles and arms; remainder used for baitTL: 6.2 mVSMBrinkmann (1916:180); Grieg (1933:20)Nordgård (1923:11); Nordgård (1928:71); Sivertsen (1955:11)With sucker response when found by J.F. Vaagan.
88November 1916Oyvag, Djonna, Helgoland, Atlantic Ocean
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire?NoneNoneGrieg (1933:20)
8929 October 1917Skateraw, Berwickshire, Scotland (55°58.5′N 02°25′W)
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis harveyi (Kent, 1874); Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireClub and gladius fragmentBL+HL: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m); FW: 19 in (48 cm); AL: 4 ft (1.2 m); AC: 9.5 in (24 cm); TL: 13 ft 10 in (4.22 m); CL: 2 ft 6 in (0.76 m); other measurements and descriptionNMSZ catalog no. 1917.54.1–2Ritchie (1918:133); Ritchie (1922:423); Robson (1933:692); Heppell & Smith (1983:35)Stephen (1944:264); Rees (1950:40); Stephen (1962:154); Collins (1998:489)Observations by J. Ritchie after earlier mutilation of specimen by local boys. Colour drawing by Ritchie in NMSZ.
90
(📷)
10 January 1918reportedly caught in Awa Province; Tokyo fishmarket, Japan
{NWP}
Not statedArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912EntireUndeterminedMale (mature)ML: 1100 mm; BC: 800 mm; FL: 400 mm; FW: 320 mm; GL: 1040 mmSasaki (1929:224, pl. 20 figs. 1–11); Heuvelmans (1968)Toll & Hess (1981b:753)
911918Kilkel, County Clare, Ireland
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.Not specifiedUndeterminedNoneHardy (1956:286)Collins (1998:489)
92November 1919Oyvag of Dønna, off coast of Nordland, Norway
{NEA}
Not statedArchiteuthis duxEntire?UndeterminedNoneNordgård (1923:11)Nordgård (1928:71); Sivertsen (1955:11, fig. 4)
93February 1920Vallay, North Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis or Sthenoteuthis [fide Ritchie]; Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 [fide Stephen]EntireNone"Length of squid": 3.5–4 ft (1.1–1.2 m); AL: ~1 ft (0.30 m)Ritchie (1920:57)Stephen (1944:264); Rees (1950:40); Stephen (1962:154); Collins (1998:489)Information from Mr. G. Beveridge.
941921Wick, Moray Firth, Scotland
{NEA}
Not statedArchiteuthis duxBeak and sucker ring, drySucker ring; beak lost, photograph only extantNoneNMSZHeppell & Smith (1983:33)Collins (1998:489)
95
(📷)
1922Caithness, North of Scotland
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis harveyi (Kent, 1874); Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 [fide Stephen (1962:154)]Not specifiedUndeterminedNoneNMSZRitchie (1922:423); Robson (1933:692)Stephen (1944:264); Rees (1950:40); Hardy (1956:287); Stephen (1962:154)
961924Margate, Natal
{SIO}
UnknownHeuvelmans (1968)Ellis (1998a:260)
979 ?October 1924Bluff, New Zealand
{SWP}
Not statedUndeterminedBL: 7 ft (2.1 m); "spread of tentacles": 18 ft (5.5 m)Dell (1952:98)The New Zealand Herald 9 October 1924
98Unknown (prior to spring 1926)Urago Bay, Oki Islands, Japan
{NWP}
Not stated?Architeuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedNoneHamabe (1957); Nishimura (1968:75)Capture date prior to spring 1926.
991926 (early spring)off Kuniga, Oki Islands, Japan
{NWP}
Not stated?Architeuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedNoneHamabe (1957); Nishimura (1968:75)
1001926Wingan Inlet, Victoria, Australia
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedNoneMacPherson & Gabriel (1962:413)
10113 December 1927Kalveidøy, Fitjar, Norway
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireNoneBL: 1 m; TL: 6.5 mGrieg (1933:19)Sivertsen (1955:11)
102
(📷)
4 March 1928Ranheim (about 8 km east of Trondheim), Norway
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireEntireMale?EL: ~7.9 m; ML: 1.37 m; AL: 1.4–1.5 m; TL: 6.4 m; LRL: 15.0 mm; URL: 13.7 mm; additional beak measurementsVSM; VSM 108a [specimen NA-19 of Roeleveld (2000)]Nordgård (1928:70, text-fig.); Grieg (1933:20); Roeleveld (2000:185)Sivertsen (1955:5); Aldrich (1991:476)Spermatophores present. Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000).
1031928off Greenland
{NEA/NWA}
Jaws onlyMuus (1962)Ellis (1998a:260)Seen by members of the Godthaab Expedition.
10424 January 1930Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland (56°02.5′N 02°51′W)
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireUndeterminedBL+HL: 1803 mm; HL: 381 mm; HC: 711 mm; ML: 1422 mm; BC: 1143 mm [at mantle edge]; additional measurementsNSMZ; catalog no. 1930.174. Stephen specimen No. 1Stephen (1962:151); Heppell & Smith (1983:34)Collins (1998:489)Data from unpublished Ritchie manuscript; see Heppell & Smith (1983) concerning locality data.
1051930?Goose Bay, Kaikoura, New Zealand
{SWP}
Not statedEntireUndeterminedBL: 11 ft (3.4 m); AL[TL?]: ~30 ft (9.1 m)Dell (1952:98)Paxton (2016a:83)W.R.B. Oliver (observer?). Considered by Paxton (2016a:83) as the "longest measured" mantle length of any giant squid specimen (though "more reliably" that of #48).
1061930Miura Peninsula, Japan
{NWP}
?EL: 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)Tomilin (1967)Ellis (1998a:260)
107
(📷)
1930–1933Pacific between Hawaii and Samoa
{SWP}
Observed swimming alongside ship at high speed before "attacking" itArchiteuthisEntireNoneSize not estimatedNoneGrønningsæter (1946:379, fig. 1a); Ellis (1998a:123, 201)Aldrich (1991:477); Ellis (1998a:261)Seen swimming at 20–25 kn (37–46 km/h) (based on three observations) alongside freighter M/V Brunswick (15,000 tons) before turning towards ship and "hitting the hull approximately 150 ft (46 m) from the stern at a depth of 12–15 ft (3.7–4.6 m)", then "skidd[ing] along until it ended up in the propeller, where it was ground to pieces", as recounted by shipmaster Arne Grønningsæter. Veracity of account has been questioned (Ellis, 1998a:201), though taken seriously by Aldrich (1991:477) who described it as "[t]he classical report on the speed of architeuthid swimming" and cited it as evidence that giant squid are sufficiently fast to evade sperm whales (the latter capable of only around 10–12 kn (19–22 km/h)).
108
(📷)
14 January 1933South Bay Beach, Scarborough, Yorkshire, England
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis clarkei Robson, 1933EntireEntireML: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m); MW: 1 ft 10 in (0.56 m); FL: 2 ft 1.5 in (0.648 m); FW: 1 ft 7 in (0.48 m) [total]; EL: 17 ft 5 in (5.31 m) [ends of tentacles missing]; WT: 16 st 11 lb (107 kg); numerous additional measurementsBMNH 1933.1.30.5 + 1926.3.31.24 (radula and beak [cast lost?]; also entire specimen minus tentacular clubs) and Scarborough Museums Trust (several sucker rings, including SCARB 2000.952.397); holotype of Architeuthis clarkei Robson, 1933Clarke (1933:157, fig.); Robson (1933:681, text-figs. 1–7, pl. 1); Eyden (2020, figs. 1–2, 4, 6)Yorkshire Evening Post, 14 January 1933; Leeds Mercury, 16, 19 & 21 January 1933; The Yorkshire Post, 17 January 1933; The Illustrated London News, 21 January 1933 (cover story); Hull Daily Mail, 20 June 1933; [Anonymous] (1934:57); Stevenson (1935:114); Stephen (1944:264); Rees (1950:40); Hardy (1956:286); Spaul (1956:63); Collins (1998:489)Specimen obtained by W.J. Clarke. Featured in magic lantern slides of the time (Lidster, 2018; Wilkinson, 2020).
109
(📷)
December 1933Dildo, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Not statedMaleML: 1560 mmFrost (1934:100, figs. 1–5, pls. 1–3)Knudsen (1957:189); Toll & Hess (1981b:754); Aldrich (1991:476)A replica of this giant squid is now on display in Dildo.
110
(📷)
26 June 1935Gulf of Gascogne [Bay of Biscay (46°50'N) at 200 m depth
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis nawaji [fide Cadenat (1935)]; Architeuthis harveyi [fide Cadenat (1936)]EntireFemaleEL: 818 cm; ML: 138 cm; FL: 60 cm; TL: 645 cm; AL(IV): 112 cm; AL(I): 110 cm?MHNLRCadenat (1935:513); Cadenat (1936:277, figs. 1–3)Caught by the Palombe.
111
(📷)
12 November 1935Holyrood, Harbour Main, Conception Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.EntireNone; destroyed in fireFemaleML: 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m); BC: 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m); FL: 2 ft 9 in (0.84 m); FW: 2 ft 1 in (0.64 m); TL: 17 ft 3 in (5.26 m); HL: 1 ft 7 in (0.48 m)NoneFrost (1936, figs. 1–10); Stephen (1962:155); Dyson (1982:107); Peterman (2002); see discussionCaught by Harbour Main fisherman Joe Ezekiel, who sold specimen to a scientist for $10.00. Stored in local Fisheries Department's fish freezer, which caught fire, destroying specimen. At least three photographs of the specimen exist.
1127 January 1937off Bell Rock, Angus, Arbroath, Scotland (56°26′N 02°23′W)
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis harveyi (Kent, 1874); Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 [fide Stephen (1962:154)]EntireTentacles and one armBL: ~7 ft (2.1 m); AL: 92 cm; TL: 368 + 421 cmNMSZ; catalog no. 1977107.1Stephen (1937:131); Heppell & Smith (1983:34)Stephen (1944:264); Rees (1950:40); Stephen (1962:154); Collins (1998:489)Captured alive in trawl, tentacles and one arm cut off and remainder discarded. Date of capture incorrect in Heppell & Smith (1983).
11322 July 1937Petone, Wellington, New Zealand
{SWP}
Not statedNot specifiedUndeterminedTL: 22 ft (6.7 m)Dell (1952:98)Press Association message 22 July 1937
114
(📷)
October 1938~0.5 miles (0.80 km) north of Ravenscar, England
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.?Entire?Beak?EL: 16 ft (4.9 m); "tentacles [arms?] as thick as a man's arm"BMNHClarke (1939:136, fig.); Eyden (2020, fig. 7)Spaul (1956:63)Found on rocky coast by local man named Shippey, who removed beak and took it home; portion of remaining body cut up as fishermen's bait. Beak obtained by W.J. Clarke (through E.A. Wallis) and passed onto the Natural History Museum, London, where G. J. Crawford of the Mollusca Department identified it as Architeuthis without suggesting a species.
1939Norway
{NEA}
Not statedMap location onlySivertsen (1955:11, fig. 4)Possibly the same as #115.
11510 October 1939near Tromsø, Norway
{NEA}
"killed by fishermen"EL: >13 m; TL: 8.7 m; BC: 3 m [maximum]; AL: 3.1 m [longest]; WT: >1000 kg [estimate]Wood (1982:191)Ellis (1998a:261)Gerald L. Wood called it "the largest known Architeuthis" from Norway. Not weighed; mass estimate attributed to "Karl Basilier, pers. comm.". Possibly the same as #114.
116February 1941Susa Bay, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Not statedArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedML: ~1.5 m; WT: ~180 kgTanaka (1950); Nishimura (1968:75)
1171941–1978Sea of Japan; various locations
{NWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis martensi (Hilgendorf, 1880)20 specimens; entireUndeterminedNoneOkiyama (1993:408, fig. 6)Summary of Sea of Japan strandings.
1181945Pahau River Mouth, Wellington East Coast, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreEntireUndeterminedWT: >1 tonDell (1952:98)
1191946Vikebukt, Norway
{NEA}
UndeterminedArchiteuthis sp.Map location onlyUndeterminedSivertsen (1955:11, fig. 4)
120
(📷)
September 1946Romsdalsfjord, Romsdal, Norway
{NEA}
Seen swimming around fjord; later found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedEL: 9.35 m; other measurementsMyklebust (1946:377, fig. 1)Sivertsen (1955:11, map); Ellis (1998a:20)It has been suggested that a "sea serpent" reported from the same fjord by [Anonymous] (1849:264) (based on 28 July 1845 sighting; description attributed to Reverend Mr. Deinboll, archdeacon of Molde) may have been a giant squid (Myklebust, 1946; Ellis, 1998a:20).
18 November and 5 December 1947South Atlantic (56°45′00″S 03°49′59″E)
{SEA}
From sperm whale stomachsArchiteuthis duxNot stated, but from two whalesNone givenNaturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, Netherlands; catalog no. RMNH.MOL.92235 & 111017[Naturalis] (2015a); [Naturalis] (2017)From whale nos. 17 and 61; collected by W. Vervoort. Preserved in 70% alcohol.
121mid-September 1948Wingan Inlet, Victoria, Australia
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887Entire, tentacles largely missing, arms "mutilated and torn off"; poor conditionHead with arms and tail with finsEL: 14 ft (4.3 m) [partial, on arrival at museum], ~20 ft (6.1 m) [when found]; BL: 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m); HL: 1 ft 6 in (0.46 m); TL: 4 ft (1.2 m) [partial]; TC: 4 in (10 cm) [stalk]; AL: 4 ft (1.2 m) [partial]; AC: 8–10.5 in (20–27 cm); ASD: ≤1 in (2.5 cm); EyD: 7 in (18 cm); other measurementsAMS?Allan (1948:306)Zeidler (1996:7); Zeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85)CSIR Fisheries Division at Cronulla notified about specimen by Mr. W. Warn. Shipment of specimen from Eden to Australian Museum arranged by Lucy M. Willings of CSIR. Gladius and internal organs removed prior to reposit.
1227 September 1949Hirtshals, Denmark
{NEA}
Not statedArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireUndetermined?WL: 1.75 m ["totallaengde uden fangarme"; "total length without tentacles"]Muus (1959:170)
1232 October 1949Whalefirth Voe, Shetland, Scotland (60°35′N 01°10′W)
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.EntireJaws and sucker rings; remainder cut up for baitBL: ~4 ft (1.2 m); AL: ~6 ft (1.8 m); TL: ~20 ft (6.1 m)NMSZ; catalog nos. 1950.2 + 1950.3Stephen (1950:52); Heppell & Smith (1983:33)Collins (1998:489)Jaw, description, and sketch sent by Dr. Petersen and two suckers sent by Mr. J. Inkster to NMSZ.
124
(📷)
30 November 1949Bay of Nigg, Aberdeen, Scotland
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp. [fide Rae (1950)]; Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 [fide Stephen (1962)]EntireUndetermined; entire?FemaleML: 117 cm; HL: 28 cm; FL: 44.5 cm; FW: 37.5 cm; extensive additional measurements and description?Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, Scotland. Stephen (1962) specimen No. 2Rae (1950:163, pls. 20–21)Aberdeen Bon-Accord and Northern Pictorial; Hardy (1956:pl. 22); Stephen (1962:148); Boyle (1986:82); Collins (1998:489)
12622 August 1951270 miles (430 km) W of Shpanberg Id., at surface
{NWP}
Observed alive onlyArchiteuthis japonicusTwo squidObservation onlyTL: 10–12 m [estimate]NoneSleptsov (1955:75)Thought to be avoiding sperm whales by staying at surface.
12714 December 1951Angus, East Haven, Scotland
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis harveyiEntireJaws, radula, and piece of arm with suckersML: 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m)UndeterminedStephen (1953:121)Collins (1998:489)Mutilated prior to examination.
128January 1952Carnoustie, Scotland
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.Not specifiedUndeterminedNoneHardy (1956:287)
12912 June 1952off Sao Lourenco, Madeira Island
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomach, vomited upArchiteuthis sp.Entire"Fragments"EL: 10,600 mm; ML: 1,860 mm; TL: 8,500 mm; AL: 2,800 mm; BC: 1,360 mm; TC: 330 mm; WT: 150 kgMMFRees & Maul (1956:266)Clarke (1962:173)Still exhibited some signs of life after being vomited.
1301952Florida Keys, Florida, United States (Straits of Florida) (25°35.4′N 80°05.8′W)
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis dux"large, mutilated"ML: 36 in (91 cm)RSMAS; catalog no. UMML 31.189 [specimen No. 1 of Roper et al. (2015)]Voss (1996); Roper et al. (2015:80)Ellis (1998a:261)
[4]1952 (summer)near Bonin Islands, western Pacific
{NWP}
From "digestive canal" of sperm whaleArchiteuthis japonica? Pfeffer, 1912; Psychroteuthidae? [fide Roper & Young (1972:220)]Entire; two specimensUndeterminedML: 92 mm + 104 mm; extensive additional measurements and description?Laboratory of Fisheries Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of TokyoIwai (1956:139, pls. 1–5); Roper & Young (1972:220)Ellis (1998a:121)Non-architeuthid. Based on the original illustrations and written description, Roper & Young (1972:220) wrote: "the specimens appear to be members of the Psychroteuthidae". Ellis (1998a:121) gives erroneous total length of "8 feet [2.4 m]" for the larger specimen (though correctly given as "8 inches [20 cm]" by Ellis, 1994a:145); mistake repeated by Glaubrecht & Salcedo-Vargas (2004:67), giving rise to the claim of an implausibly large psychroteuthid "with about three meter total length".
1311953Norway
{NEA}
Not statedMap location onlySivertsen (1955:11, fig. 4)
132
(📷)
1954off Mississippi Delta, Gulf of Mexico
{NWA}
Found floating at surface, deadArchiteuthis physeteris (Joubin, 1899); Architeuthis duxEntire, in poor conditionBeak and spermatophoreMale (mature)ML: 61.2 cm; extensive descriptionRSMAS; catalog no. UMML 31.99 [specimen No. 2 of Roper et al. (2015)]Voss (1956:136, fig. 10); Roper et al. (2015:80)Roper & Young (1972:220); Toll & Hess (1981b:753); Aldrich (1991:476); Melvin (2009)Mature male with spermatophores.
1331954Skagerrak, Denmark
{NEA}
ArchiteuthisEntire?Entire?, both tentacles looseMale (mature?)ML: 1035 mm; TL: 4480/3800 mm; CL: 620/695 mm; CSC: 248/248; TSC: 276/271; additional indices and countsZMUC [specimen NA-3 of Roeleveld (2002)]Roeleveld (2002:727)Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
134January 1954Kie Kie Bay, Kaikoura, New Zealand
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.Photographs held by NIWAFörch (1998:105)
13522 June 19541 mile (1.6 km) north of Skaw (Skagerack), Denmark
{NEA}
Found alive on surfaceArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntire?, left tentacle looseMale (mature)ML: 1010 mm [970 mm fide Roeleveld (2002:727)]; VML: 940 mm; HL: 275 mm; TL: 4900 mm [4585/4785 mm fide Roeleveld (2002:729)]; CL: 605/780 mm; AL(I): 800 mm; AL(IV): 1470/1530 mm; LAL: 1530 mm; HeL: 90/130 mm [IV pair]; PL: 780 mm; SSL: 155 mm; SoA: no obs.; SL: 110–180 mm; CSC: 255/265; TSC: 286/280; additional indices and countsZMUC [specimen NA-6 of Roeleveld (2002)]Knudsen (1957:189, figs. 1–5); Roeleveld (2002:727); Guerra et al. (2004:8)Kjennerud (1958:1); Muus (1959:170); Stephen (1962:155); Roper & Young (1972:220); Toll & Hess (1981b:753); Aldrich (1991:476)Discovered by fishermen. Mature male with spermatophores and both ventral arms hectocotylised; colour notes. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
13630 July 1954Ranheim, Trondheim Fjord, Norway
{NEA}
Not statedArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireUndeterminedEL: 7.5 m; BL: 1.3 m; AL: 1.9 m [shorter]; TL: 6.2 mSivertsen (1955:5)
137
(📷)
2 October 1954Ranheim, Trondheim Fjord, Norway
{NEA}
StrandedArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireEntire, left tentacle looseFemale?EL: 9.24 m; BL: 2.14 m; AL: 1.9 m [shorter]; TL: 7.1 m [left]; ML: 1.79 m; MW: 0.57 m; FL: 0.52 m; FW: 0.18 m [each]; TSD: 2.6 cm; ASD: 1.5 cm; CL: 820 mm [left]; CSC: 254 [left]; TSC: >275 [left]; LRL: 15.6 mm; URL: n/a; additional beak measurements, indices, and countsVSM; VSM 156 [specimen NA-17 of Roeleveld (2000) and Roeleveld (2002)]Broch (1954:145, fig.); Sivertsen (1955:5, fig. 1); Roeleveld (2000:185); Roeleveld (2002:727)Clarke (1966:103, fig. 4)Much-reproduced photograph shows specimen being measured by Professors Erling Sivertsen and Svein Haftorn. Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002). According to Broch (1954) it was stranded on 3 October and found on 4 October, and was 16th specimen recorded from Norway.
138
(📷)
4 July 1955off Porto Pim, Faial Island, Azores Islands (38°21′N 29°08′W)
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndesignated anatomical materialML: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m); BD: 1 ft 11 in (0.58 m); EL: 34 ft 5 in (10.49 m); WL: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m); TL: 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m); LAL: 9 ft (2.7 m); EyD: 7 25 in (0.19 m) [left]; WT: 405 lb (184 kg)National Institute of OceanographyClarke (1955:589, 5 figs.); Clarke (1956a:645)van Bruggen (1956:641) [NB: gives erroneous metric conversions]; Clarke (1956b:257, pl. 2 fig. 2); Budker (1959); see discussionSquid swallowed whole by 47 ft (14 m) sperm whale (no. F346). Examined at Porto Pim whaling station. Budker (1959) states: "This is probably the only complete specimen of such an animal to be collected under these conditions." Considered by Paxton (2016a:83) as specimen with the longest "definitely measured" mantle length (less reliably #153), standard length, and total length (though see discredited size of #208) of any giant squid recovered from a sperm whale.
139
(📷)
Unknown (reported 1956)off Fowey Rocks, Florida, United States
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis princeps or Architeuthis harveyiEntire, mutilatedUndetermined?EL: 47 ft (14 m) [fide Rathjen (1973:24)]RSMAS [fide Rathjen (1973:24)]; no longer extant [fide Voss (1956:138)]Voss (1956:138)Rathjen (1973:24, fig. 7)Taken by the vessel Silver Bay.
14012 May 1956about a mile north of Mākara Stream, Wellington west coast, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis kirki Robson, 1887Entire, missing tentaclesEntire?ML: 1829 mm; WT: 127.9 kg; extensive additional measurements and descriptionDominion Museum [NMNZ]Dell (1970:27, figs. 1–8)Roper & Young (1972:216)Arm suckers had no sucker rings (fide Dell, 1970); likely dissolved after preservation in formalin per Roper & Young (1972:216).
[5]1956/1957South Orkney Islands (59°41′S 44°14′W)
{SWA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.; Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson, 1925Head and mantleUndeterminedHL: 30 cm; HW: 20 cm; EyD: 16–17 cm; ?EL: ~12 mKorabelnikov (1959:103); Yukhov (1974:62)Non-architeuthid. Initial identification by I.I. Akimushkin. From 15.8 m long male sperm whale.
[6]1956/1957South Shetland Islands (61°56′S 52°39′W)
{SWA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.; Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson, 1925Fin onlyUndeterminedFL: 41 cm; FW: 48 cm; ?EL: ~10 mKorabelnikov (1959:103); Yukhov (1974:62)Non-architeuthid. Initial identification by I.I. Akimushkin. From 15 m long male sperm whale.
1411 February 1957six miles (10 km) north by east from Rattray Head, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireEntireEL: 23 ft 11 in (7.29 m); ML: 940 mm; BD: 343 mm; TL: 4750 mm [right]; CL: 559 mm [right]; HL: 279 mm; FL: 305 mm; FW: 305 mmNMSZ; catalog no. 1957.20. Stephen specimen No. 3Stephen et al. (1957:181); Stephen (1962:152, text-fig. 6, pl. 1 fig. 2); Heppell & Smith (1983:33)Collins (1998:489)Received from trawler Viking Prestige almost complete, but poorly preserved.
14214 December 1957Misaki, Oki Islands, Japan
{NWP}
Not stated?Architeuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedNoneHamabe (1957); Nishimura (1968:75)
1434 February 1958Ashiya, Hamasaka-machi, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndetermined?EL: 4.1 m; WT: ~150 kgKamita (1962); Nishimura (1968:75)
1447 February 1958off Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Not statedArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndetermined?EL: ~6 m; WT: 170 kgKamita (1962); Nishimura (1968:75)
1453 March 1958Sandane, Nordfjord, Norway
{NEA}
Not statedArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireMale (mature)ML: 100 cm; WT: 48 kg;
more
VML: 87 cm; BC: 80 cm; FL: 28–32 cm; FW: 26/33 cm; HL: 30–32 cm; HW: 25 cm; AL(I): 126+ cm; AL(II): 143+ cm; AL(III): 126+ cm; AL(IV): 164 cm; LAL: 164 cm; AC(I): 16 cm; AC(II): 20 cm; AC(III): 22 cm; AC(IV): 22 cm; HeL: 5–6 cm [IV pair]; AF: 4.3.2.1; TaL: 10 cm; FuL: 14 cm; FuD: 7 cm; FuCL: 12 cm; FuCW: 2.5 cm; PL: 92 cm; SoA: yes; LRL: 1.2 cm; URL: 1.5 cm
ZMUBKjennerud (1958:1, figs. 1–9); Guerra et al. (2004b:8)van Bruggen (1959:857); Toll & Hess (1981b:753)Spermatophore and colour notes. Fins appeared to be slightly asymmetrical.
1461958northeast sector, Bahamas
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis duxEntire, "nearly intact whole specimen"Arm partsFemaleEL: 1433.5 cmRSMAS; catalog no. UMML 31.2938 [specimen No. 3 of Roper et al. (2015)]Voss (1967); Roper et al. (2015:80)Ellis (1998a:261)
147August 1959off Madeira Island
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndetermined?EL: 2.5 mClarke (1962:173, fig. 1A)Toll & Hess (1981b:754)From male sperm whale.
148January?, 1960Lonja de Aviles, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Not specifiedArchiteuthis duxNot specifiedReturned to the seaWT: 100 kgGuerra et al. (2006:258)
1496 February 1960Arahama, Kashiwazaki-shi, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedML: 1.3 m; ?EL: 3.5 m; WT: 112 kgNishimura (1960:214); Nishimura (1968:75)
15023 January 1961Oi, Hirata-shi, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndetermined?EL: 2.6 m; WT: 41.2 kgKamita (1962); Nishimura (1968:75)
151
(📷)
18 February 1961Câmara de Lobos, Madeira Island
{NEA}
From fish stomach, Alepisaurus cf. feroxArchiteuthis sp. AEntireEntireFemale (juvenile)ML: 57 mm [56 mm fide Roeleveld (2002:727)]; VML: 54 mm; MW: 12 mm; FL: 20 mm; FW: 15 mm; HL: 17 mm; HW: 11 mm; GiL: 16 mm; AL(I): 47 mm; AL(II): 59 mm; AL(III): 58 mm; AL(IV): 58 mm; TL: 90 mm [TL: 80 mm [left] fide Roeleveld (2002:729)]; CL: 25 mm; ASD(I): 0.96 mm; ASD(II): 1.04 mm; ASD(III): 0.96 mm; ASD(IV): 0.64 mm; CSD: 0.96 mm/0.40 mm (medial/marginal); LRL: 1.0 mm; URL: 1.2 mm; extensive description and additional counts, indices, and beak measurementsNMNH cat. no. 727508 [specimen NA-34 of Roeleveld (2002)]Roper & Young (1972:206, figs. 1a–c, 2–4, 5a); Roper (1992:99, figs. 160a–c); Roeleveld (2002:727)Nesis et al. (1985:526); Roper & Shea (2013:116)From stomach of lancetfish No. 18123, captured on tuna long-line at 50–150 m depth and supplied by G. E. Maul. Squid's greatly distended stomach contained largely unidentifiable material with some small fragments of fish bones. Sucker rings missing; likely degraded by digestive juices or formalin fixative. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
152April–July 1961near Commander Islands and western Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea
{NWP}
From sperm whale stomachsArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912Combined beak samplesUndeterminedPercentage of whale dietKodolov (1970:[158])From sperm whales sampled in several different whaling regions of Soviet whaling flotilla Aleut during the 1961 season.
153August 1961Sao Miguel, Azores Islands
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedML: 2.4 m; [?]AL: 4.4 m; WL: 6.8 mKeil (1963:320, figs. 3–5)From 16 m sperm whale. Considered by Paxton (2016a:83) as possibly greatest measured mantle length of any giant squid recovered from a sperm whale (more reliably #138), though he wrote: "the account is confused and the 2.4 m figure probably refers to the head and ML combined".
15416 September 1961off central California, United States
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksOne upper beakNoneNMML 110Fiscus (1993:92)From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-535).
155December 1961King's Cove, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Not statedArchiteuthis sp.Entire?None"small"UndeterminedAldrich (1968); Aldrich (1991:459)
156April–July 1962near Commander Islands and western Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea
{NWP}
From sperm whale stomachsArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912Combined beak samplesUndeterminedPercentage of whale dietKodolov (1970:[158])From sperm whales sampled in several different whaling regions of Soviet whaling flotilla Aleut during the 1962 season.
15723 June 1962Durban Whaling Station, South Africa
{SIO}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Body onlyUndeterminedMaleFL: 40 cm; FW: 28 cmNone?; Clarke specimen No. 6Clarke (1980:67)From sperm whale number A956.
1581962Donkergat Whaling Station, South Africa
{SEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Head onlyUndeterminedTL: 176 cmUndetermined; Clarke specimen No. 1Clarke (1980:67, text-fig. 37A)
1591962Las Tiberas, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Not specifiedArchiteuthis duxNot specifiedNot specifiedTL: 6 mGuerra et al. (2006:258)
12 November 1962off east coast of Florida, United States (Straits of Florida) (25°45′N 80°00′W; given as "25°45'N 80°W")
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis sp.; Architeuthis duxEntireGladiusMale (mature)ML: 66.4 cm; EL 7.0 mRSMAS; catalog no. UMML 31.1762 [specimen No. 4 of Roper et al. (2015)]Toll & Hess (1981b:753); Roper et al. (2015:80)Roper & Young (1972:220)
16013 June 1963Durban Whaling Station, South Africa
{SIO}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Head onlyUndeterminedHL: 19 cm; HW: 15 cm; WT: 19 kgNone?; Clarke specimen No. 2Clarke (1980:67)From sperm whale number D1500.
16115 June 1963off central California, United States
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksOne upper beakNoneNMML; catalog no. 111Fiscus (1993:92)From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-813).
1621963Donkergat Whaling Station, South Africa
{SEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Body onlyUndeterminedFemaleML: 66.5 cm; MW: 24 cm; FL: 29 cm; FW: 16 cmUndetermined; Clarke specimen No. 3Clarke (1980:67, text-fig. 37B)From sperm whale no. 2271.
16313 August 1963Durban Whaling Station, South Africa
{SIO}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedML: ~70 cm; HL: ~23 cm; FL: ~30 cm; FW: ~22 cmNone?; Clarke specimen No. 5Clarke (1980:67, text-fig. 37A)From sperm whale number 2258.
164August?, 1963Cook Strait, New Zealand
{SWP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.One beakUndeterminedNoneGaskin & Cawthorn (1967:170)From New Zealand whaling station; specimen No. 63

of 1963–1964 season.

165
(📷)
17 December 1963off Chile, South America (19°51′S 95°09′W)
{SEP}
From fish stomach, "very probably Alepisaurus"Architeuthis sp. BEntire, sucker rings degraded and missingEntireMale (juvenile)ML: 45 mm; VML: 43 mm; MW: 8 mm; FL: 14 mm; FW: 11 mm; HL: 11 mm; HW: 9 mm; GiL: 14 mm; AL(I): 20 mm; AL(II): 27 mm; AL(III): 27 mm; AL(IV): 28 mm; TL: 33 mm; CL: 14 mm; ASD(I): 0.72 mm; ASD(II): 0.88 mm; ASD(III): 0.80 mm; ASD(IV): 0.56 mm; CSD: 0.56 mm/0.24 mm (medial/marginal); extensive description and additional counts and indicesNMNH; catalog no. 727509Roper & Young (1972:206, figs. 1d–e, 5b); Roper (1992:99, figs. 160d–e)Nesis et al. (1985:526); Roper & Shea (2013:116)From lancetfish captured on long-line at 80–150 m depth by R/V Shoyo Maru (Cruise 13, Fish Station 17). Squid specimen and capture information supplied by Witek L. Klawe. Stomach found to be empty. Sucker rings missing; likely degraded by digestive juices or formalin fixative.
16623 April 1964Durban Whaling Station, South Africa
{SIO}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Body onlyUndeterminedML: 58 cm; MW: 19 cm; FL: 23 cm; FW: 11.5 cmNone?; Clarke specimen No. 4Clarke (1980:67)From sperm whale number 2418.
1671964Southeastern Atlantic Ocean
{SEA}
From sperm whale stomachsArchiteuthis sp.Map locations onlyYukhov (1974:61, fig.)Multiple records from sperm whales with generalised data on distribution, depth, and sex.
1681964Southwestern Pacific Ocean
{SWP}
From sperm whale stomachsArchiteuthis sp.Map locations onlyUndeterminedYukhov (1974:61, fig.)Multiple records from sperm whales with generalised data on distribution, depth, and sex.
1691964Southwestern Indian Ocean
{SIO}
From sperm whale stomachsArchiteuthis sp.Map locations onlyYukhov (1974:61, fig.)Multiple records from sperm whales with generalised data on distribution, depth, and sex.
170
(📷)
23 October 1964Conche, White Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireBeaks, gladius, arms, and tentaclesFemaleML: 185 cm; additional measurements and descriptionMUDB; Aldrich specimen No. 1Aldrich (1991:461, figs. 3–4)Aldrich & Brown (1967:4, figs.); Aldrich (1968:395); Aldrich & Aldrich (1968:845, figs. 1–3); Pippy & Aldrich (1969); Oreskes (2003:717, fig. 3)Cestode found in caecum by Pippy & Aldrich (1969). Tentacular regeneration documented by Aldrich & Aldrich (1968); one of two published records of limb regeneration in architeuthids (as identified by Imperadore & Fiorito, 2018), the other being a case of arm and sucker regeneration in #54. Frederick Aldrich included a photo of this specimen in a 1965 letter to Paul Fye, director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, proposing to use DSV Alvin to study the giant squid in its natural habitat (Oreskes, 2003:717).
1715 December 1964Chapel Arm, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Found dead on bottomArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireNone; discardedFemaleML: 126 cm; additional measurements and descriptionNone; Aldrich specimen No. 2Aldrich (1991:466, fig. 5)Aldrich (1968:395)Possibly seen alive in September on several occasions.
1960sBahamas (Straits of Florida) (25°45′N 79°15′W)
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis dux"head, beaks, eye lens""large"RSMAS; catalog no. UMML 31.642 [specimen No. 7 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:80)Yoshikawa (2014) writes: "A 14-meter-long giant squid caught off the Bahamas in the Atlantic in 1966 is the largest ever confirmed."
17225 March 1965Skagen, Denmark
{NEA}
ArchiteuthisFemale (immature)ML: 1190 mm; TL: 5495/5307 mm; CL: 745/722 mm; CSC: 272; [left] TSC: 300 [left]; additional indices and countsZMUC [specimen NA-1 of Roeleveld (2002)]Roeleveld (2002:727)Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
17329 September 1965Newman's Cove, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Not statedArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Portion of mantle, tail, and visceraNone; discardedFemaleML: 1.37 m [estimate]None; Aldrich specimen No. 3Aldrich (1991:467)Aldrich (1968:395)
1748 October 1965Lance Cove, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireParts (unspecified)FemaleML: 127 cm; additional measurementsMUDB; Aldrich specimen No. 4Aldrich (1991:469, fig. 6)Voss (1967:407, fig.); Aldrich & Brown (1967:6, fig.); Aldrich (1968:395, fig. 2); [MIT] (2006)Used in Francis O. Schmitt's animal nerve cell research in 1965 ([MIT], 2006).
17524 November 1965Springdale Beach, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireNone; discardedML: 161 cm; BL(+HL?): 2.13 m; TL: 3.66 m; GL: 147 cm; additional measurementsNone; Aldrich specimen No. 5Aldrich (1991:469, fig. 7)Aldrich (1968:395)
17622 June 1966off "Vigo, Spain" (41°32′N 9°48′W)
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Lower beakUndeterminedDescription onlyClarke & MacLeod (1974:962, fig. 4)
177around 10 October 1966Skagerrak, north of Skagen, Denmark
{NEA}
ArchiteuthisFemale (immature)ML: 1115 mm; TL: 4605 mm [right]; CL: 660 mm [right]; CSC: 250 [right]; TSC: 284 [right]; additional indices and countsZMUC [specimen NA-2 of Roeleveld (2002)]Roeleveld (2002:727)Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
178
(📷)
9 November 1966Sweet Bay, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Not statedArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire; tentacles missing and arms incompleteEntireFemaleML: 142 cm; additional measurements and descriptionMUDB; Aldrich specimen No. 6Aldrich (1991:470)Aldrich & Brown (1967:8, fig.); Aldrich (1968:395)Aldrich (1968:395) gives date as 11 November.
17924 November 1966Wild Cove, Fogo Island, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire, badly mutilatedNone; discardedFemaleML: 107 cm; additional measurementsNone; Aldrich specimen No. 7Aldrich (1991:471)Aldrich (1968:395)
18025 November 1966off central California, United States
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksOne upper beakNoneNMML; catalog no. 112Fiscus (1993:92)From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1966-165).
18128 November 1966Eddie's Cove East, Strait of Belle Isle, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Not statedArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire, putrefiedNone; discardedNoneNone; Aldrich specimen No. 8Aldrich (1991:471)Aldrich (1968:395)
1821 December 1966off central California, United States
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksOne lower beak fragmentNoneNMML; catalog no. 113Fiscus (1993:92)From female sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1966-177).
1839 December 1966off central California, United States
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksOne upper beakNoneNMML; catalog no. 114Fiscus (1993:92)From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1966-185).
18412 May 1967off central California, United States
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksOne pair of beaksNoneNMML; catalog no. 115Fiscus & Rice (1974:92, fig. 1); Fiscus et al. (1989:6); Fiscus (1993:93)From female sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1967-128).
1856 June 1967off Iceland (64E50'N, 29E30'W)
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Seven beaksUndeterminedSpecimen weights estimatedClarke & MacLeod (1976:742)From 53 ft (16 m) male sperm whale (no. 121).
186July–August 1967in Denmark Strait
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Beaks (as percentage of diet)Martin & Clarke (1986:785)Roe (1969:93) as unidentified beaksFrom 57 male sperm whales processed at Hvalur H.F. whaling station on west coast of Iceland.
18722 July – 23 August 1967off Iceland
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachsArchiteuthis sp.Two beaksUndeterminedSpecimen weights estimatedClarke & MacLeod (1976:742)Mixed samples from stomachs of five male sperm whales 47–53 ft (14–16 m) long.
18823 April 1968off central California, United States
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksOne upper beakNoneNMML; catalog no. 116Fiscus (1993:93)From female sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1968-108).
18923 April 1968off central California, United States
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksOne upper beak fragmentNoneNMML; catalog no. 117Fiscus (1993:93)From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1968-109).
19014 May 1968Tokyo Bay, off Miura Peninsula, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found stranded on beachArchiteuthisEntire?Single tentacle?EL: 6 m; WT: 35 kg; TL: 3200 mm [length of single extant tentacle]Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine ParkSuyehiro (1968); Kubodera & Yamada (2001:238)[Anonymous] (2014b)Stranded on Miura beach two days before Tokachi earthquake of 16 May 1968. Single tentacle deposited at Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine Park may belong to this specimen; see Kubodera & Yamada (2001:238).
19115 May 1968South Shore, Bermuda
{NWA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis duxEntire?Entire?ML: ~70 cm; EyD: 20 cmBAMZ 2007 254 015 [specimen No. 5 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:80)"Suckers in 2 rows only" (Roper et al., 2015:80).
1968Puerto de Vega, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Caught by shipArchiteuthis duxEntire?Beak?EL: 7 mGuerra et al. (2006:258)Caught by the ship Matías Bengoechea.
192July–November 1968off central California, United States ("Region II"; 34°34'–36°N 121°–123°W)
{NEP}
From fish stomach, Thunnus alalunga (albacore)Architeuthidae, Unidentified sp.One specimen; beaks?NoneIverson (1971:14, 34)Roper & Young (1972:221)Single architeuthid specimen from 905 examined albacore stomachs (of which 286 from "Region II").
1939 June 1969east of Lake Worth, Florida, United States (Straits of Florida) (coordinates given as "26°70'N 80°W" [sic])
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis dux"head, base of arms only""large"RSMAS; catalog no. UMML 31.675 [specimen No. 6 of Roper et al. (2015)]Voss (1996); Roper et al. (2015:80)Ellis (1998a:262)
19413 June 1969off central California, United States
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksOne upper beakNoneNMML; catalog no. 118Fiscus (1993:93)From female sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1969-143).
1951969Las Tiberas, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Caught by shipArchiteuthis duxTentacleTL: 6 mGuerra et al. (2006:258)Caught by the ship Saturno Juan.
19610 July 1969Luanco (Gozón), Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Caught by sport fishermenArchiteuthis duxEntire?WT: 250 kgGuerra et al. (2006:258)Caught by sport fishermen from Oviedo. Heaviest recorded giant squid from Asturias.
1971969Puerto de Figueras, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Recovered deadArchiteuthis duxEntire??EL: 7.90 m; WT: 120 kgGuerra et al. (2006:258)Recovered dead by José Manuel Méndez and Bote Carducha.
19819 November 1969off central California, United States
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksOne lower beak fragmentNoneNMML; catalog no. 119Fiscus (1993:93)From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1969-201).
19924 February 1970off central California, United States
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksOne lower beak fragmentNoneNMML; catalog no. 120Fiscus (1993:94)From male sperm whale (specimen no. Rice-1970-001).
20011 October 1970San Juan, Puerto Rico (Caribbean Sea) (18°32′N 66°05′W)
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis duxEntire?Beaks?ML: 85.1 cmRSMAS; catalog no. UMML 31.851 [specimen No. 8 of Roper et al. (2015)]Voss (1996); Roper et al. (2015:80)Ellis (1998a:262)
20118 September 1970off Saint-Pierre Island, Grand Banks, Atlantic Ocean
{NWA}
By trawlArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireEntireNoneFOSJ; Aldrich specimen No. 9Aldrich (1991:471)Presented by Government of France in October 1970.
20231 October 1970near Azores Islands (38°34′N 28°11′W)
{NEA}
From shark stomach, Centroscymnus coelolepisArchiteuthis sp."Flesh"UndeterminedNoneClarke & Merrett (1972:601)
203November 1970Tasman Sea
{SWP}
From sperm whale stomachsArchiteuthis sp.One entire; 54 lower beaksUndeterminedFemaleML: 41.5 cm; BC: 26 cm; AL: 32–49.5 cm; TL: 140 cm; FL: 20 cm; FW: 8 cm; plus estimates of other specimen weights from beaksClarke & MacLeod (1982:34)Combined data from stomachs of 66 sperm whales taken at various locations in the Tasman Sea.
20430 December 1970off Botany Bay, New South Wales, eastern Australia
{SWP}
From shortfin mako shark stomach, Isurus oxyrinchusArchiteuthis sp.BeakUndeterminedML: 567 mm [estimate]Dunning et al. (1993:129)
205November–April 1970 – 1973southeastern Atlantic Ocean (30°–43°S)
{SEA}
From sperm whale stomachsArchiteuthis sp.Stomach contentsUndeterminedNoneVovk et al. (1975[1978:131])Specimens from sperm whales taken on 3 cruises (14 stations) of Antarctic whaling factory ship Yury Dolgoruky during November to April 1970 – 1973.
206November–April 1970 – 1973Atlantic sector of Southern Ocean
{SEA}
From sperm whale stomachsArchiteuthis sp.Stomach contentsUndeterminedNoneVovk et al. (1975[1978:131])Specimens from sperm whales taken on 3 cruises (42 stations) of Antarctic whaling factory ship Yury Dolgoruky during November to April 1970 – 1973.
207March 1971Carrandi, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Not specifiedArchiteuthis duxEntire?WT: 80 kgGuerra et al. (2006:258)Collected by the boat Divino San Antonio.
208Unknown (reported 1971)Indian Ocean
{SIO}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedEL: 9 m [erroneously given as 19 m in Berzin (1971); see Romanov et al. (2017)]Berzin (1971:[199, fig. 98])Paxton (2016a:83); Romanov et al. (2017)Taken from sperm whale stomach by whaling flotilla Sovetskaya Ukraina. Considered by Paxton (2016a:83) as possibly "longest measured" total length of any giant squid specimen (though more reliably that of #46 and 62), but this was based on the erroneous total length given in Berzin (1971).[nb 2]
20918 November 1971Sunnyside, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Not statedArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireArms and tentacles onlyFemaleML: 177 cm; additional measurementsMUDB; Aldrich specimen No. 10Aldrich (1991:471, fig. 8A-B)
211February 1972Puerto de El Musel, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Found floating at surface in visible state of decompositionArchiteuthis dux?EL: ~3 mGuerra et al. (2006:258)Observed[?] by Martino Andres.
212July 1972near Rakautura, Kaikoura, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis sp.EntireClub suckersTL: ~8 mLostFörch (1998:106)Dangerfield (2013)Found by fishermen Gus and Ken Garbes. Could not be towed in due to bad weather; pieces cut off for use as bait.
2131972off Durban, South Africa
{SIO}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireFemaleML: 1450 mm; extensive additional measurements, illustrations, and descriptionSAM; catalog no. S1867Roeleveld & Lipiński (1991:432, pls.)
2141972off Newfoundland
{NWA}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireEL: 8.2 m; WT: 207 kgAquário Vasco da Gama, LisbonMarques (2002)On public display. Exhibited at Aquário Vasco da Gama in Lisbon (see information document).
2158 December 1972eastern equatorial Atlantic (6°34′S 5°00′W)
{SEA}
Found in stomach contents of blue shark (Prionace glauca)Architeuthis sp.Jaws plus pieces of mantle, arms, tentacleUndetermined; beaks?TL: 2 m [piece]; TSD: ~2 cm; ML: 70–75 cm [estimate]Nigmatullin (1976:29, fig. 1)From stomach of 2 m long blue shark.
21614 May 1974off Green Point light house, Table Bay, South Africa
{SEA}
Found floating at surface, aliveArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireFemale (maturing–mature?)ML: 1700 mm; LRL: 16.7 mm; URL: 17.0 mm; extensive measurements, illustrations, and descriptionSAM; catalog no. S1868 [specimen SA-2 of Roeleveld (2000)]Roeleveld & Lipiński (1991:433, pls.); Roeleveld (2000:185)Found barely alive by Capt. Hennie Smith. Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000).
217October 1974South African waters (28°S 14°11'E)
{SEA}
By trawl; taken by fisheries vesselArchiteuthis sp.EntirePiece of arm and tentacleWT: 220 kgSAMPérez-Gándaras & Guerra (1989:114)
21818 February 1975Verdalsøra, Trondheimsfjorden, Norway
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedTL: 7.96 m; WT: 68.9 kgHolthe (1975:174)
21928 October 1975Bonavista, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireNone; discardedMale (mature)ML: 132 cm; additional measurementsNone; Aldrich specimen No. 11Aldrich (1991:472, fig. 9A–D)Aldrich (1980:57, fig. 3)Mature male with hectocotylus and spermatophores.
22026 January 1976off Joban District, Japan (36°39′N 141°51′E)
{NWP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912Tentacle onlyUndeterminedNoneOkutani et al. (1976:85)Ohsumi & Satake (1976)From 10.6 m long male sperm whale (no. 56).
22126 January 1976off Joban District, Japan (36°40′N 141°53′E)
{NWP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912Tentacle onlyUndeterminedNoneOkutani et al. (1976:85)Ohsumi & Satake (1976)From 11.7 m long male sperm whale (no. 58).
2223 February 1976off Joban District, Japan (36°44′N 141°33′E)
{NWP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912EntireUndeterminedML: 58.5 cmOkutani et al. (1976:85, pl. 7)Ohsumi & Satake (1976)From 13.0 m long male sperm whale (no. 75).
2234 February 1976off Joban District, Japan (36°46′N 141°58′E)
{NWP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912Mantle onlyUndeterminedNoneOkutani et al. (1976:85)Ohsumi & Satake (1976)From 9.5 m long female sperm whale (no. 79).
224March 1976Wellington south coast, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.EntireNMNZ; photographs onlyFörch (1998:106)
225August 1976off Vancouver, Oregon, United States
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Entire?UndeterminedML: ~2 mNesis et al. (1985:523)
226September 1976off South Africa (27°42′S 14°13′E)
{SEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedWL: 4.5 m; WT: 200 kg; TL: ~6 m; ML: 195 cm; radulaPérez-Gándaras & Guerra (1978:401, figs. 1–4)Nesis et al. (1985:518)Stomach contents analysed.
22719 November 1977Firth of Forth, North Berwick, Scotland (56°03.5′N 02°43′W)
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis duxEntireEntire; dissected, parts preserved separatelyFemaleML: 161 cm; HL: 43 cm; AL: 230 cm; TL: 440 cm; FL: 67 cm; FW: 55 cmNMSZ; catalog no. 1978090.1Heppell (1977:63); Heppell (1978:89); Heppell & Smith (1983:34)Collins (1998:489)
22821 November 1977Lance Cove, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857EntireNoneUnknown sizeNone; Aldrich specimen No. 12Aldrich (1991:472)Report only; specimen not observed.
229April 1978Jiaonon, Shandong Province, China
{NWP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.BeaksUndeterminedNoneDong (1984:328, fig. 2.1)From stranded sperm whale.
2309 June 1978Miura Peninsula, Japan
{NWP}
Not statedArchiteuthis cf. japonica Pfeffer, 1912EntireEntire, missing fins, tentacles, and arm tipsFemaleML: 540 mm; AL(IV): 830 mm [longest arm IV, missing tip]Keikyu Aburatsubo Marine ParkKubodera & Yamada (2001:238, pl. 2A)Specimen donated to aquarium by Kurihama Thermoelectric Power Plant. Tentatively assigned to A. japonica based on relative lengths of mantle and longest arm IV.
231~15 June 1978near Mack Arch, Oregon, North Pacific Ocean
{NEP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireSucker ringsWT: 225 lb (102 kg)SBMNH; catalog no. 60119[Anonymous] (1978a); [Anonymous] (1978b)Caught by commercial fisherman G. Steffensmier.
23221 June 1978off Fort Lauderdale, United States (Straits of Florida) (26°10′N 80°00′W; given as "26°10'N 80°W")
{NWA}
From fish stomach, Xiphias gladius (swordfish)Architeuthis sp.Entire, "mutilated specimen"EntireMale (mature)ML: 167+ mm; GL: 179 mm; additional extensive descriptionRSMAS; catalog no. UMML 31.1761 [specimen No. 9 of Roper et al. (2015)]Toll & Hess (1981b:754, fig. 1); Roper et al. (2015:80)Toll & Hess (1981a:768); Hess & Toll (1981:162, fig. 4); Roper (1992:99); Roeleveld (2002:736); Roper & Shea (2013:116)From stomach of female swordfish (205 cm fork length). Very small mature specimen with spermatophores (subadult according to Roper & Shea, 2013). Toll & Hess (1981b) suggested it might be an undescribed dwarf species and Roeleveld (2002:736) wrote of this specimen: "It probably represents a distinct species and perhaps even a separate genus."
233July 1978Gisborne, New Zealand
{SWP}
Trawl captureArchiteuthis sp.EntireFörch (1998:106)The Gisborne Herald (photographs)
234late 1978Cheynes Beach, Albany, Western Australia
{SWP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Two specimensUndeterminedWT: 280 kg [larger specimen]Wallaroo Heritage and Nautical Museum, South Australia (smaller specimen)[Anonymous] (1980:27); Zeidler (1996:7)Zeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85); Sea FrontiersCaught by Cheynes Beach Whaling Co., Albany, Western Australia. Larger specimen used in promotional displays.
235Unknown (reported 1979)Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
In floating blanket netArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedTL: 5.5 m; WT: 97 kgSatomi (1979)Kitaguni Newspaper (photograph) [fide Sweeney & Roper (2001:[75]); "T. Kubodera (pers. comm.)"]
2361979Newfoundland
{NWA}
By trawlEL: 31 ft (9.4 m)Ellis (1998a:263) ["Stephen, pers. comm. (1997)"]Captured by Spanish trawler.
23720 August 1979Cortez Bank, California, United States, at 550 fathoms (1,010 m) depth
{NEP}
Sablefish trapArchiteuthis japonica?Tentacle only; recovered from trapTentacleSBMNH; catalog no. 60117Hochberg (in prep.) [fide Sweeney & Roper (2001:[81])]
23819 November 1979Saint Brendan's, Cottel's Island, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire, in several piecesNone; discardedFemaleML: 154 cm; additional measurementsNone; Aldrich specimen No. 13Aldrich (1991:473)
239Unknown (reported 1980)Oregon, United States
{NEP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912Entire?UndeterminedNoneHochberg & Fields (1980:434)Nesis et al. (1985:523)
240
(📷)
early February 1980Plum Island, Massachusetts, United States; see map
{NWA}
Found stranded on beachArchiteuthis sp.Entire, missing eyes, long feeding tentacles, most arm tips, and skin; lost when the squid washed ashoreEntireFemaleWL: 2.7 m; ML: ~2 m; EL: ~9/~10 m [estimate]; WT: 200 kgNMNH; catalog no. 814000 [specimen No. 10 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper & Boss (1982:96); Clark (1983); Conley-Early (1995:48); Feldman (1996); Whalen (2009); Roper et al. (2015:80)Wu (2018)On public display. Originally displayed at the New England Aquarium. Given as gift to NMNH in 1982. Featured in the Smithsonian Institution's monthly newspaper, The Torch, in February 1983 (Clark, 1983). From 2009, displayed in the Cold Water Quest Gallery of Georgia Aquarium on loan from NMNH.
241March–April 1980about 250 miles (400 km) off California (34°39'–35°39'N 126°25'–127°28'W), North Pacific Ocean, at 25–40 to 90 m depth
{NEP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.18 entire specimensUndeterminedML: 50–77 cm (ML: 62.5 cm [average]); additional measurements, indices, and descriptionsNesis et al. (1985:519, figs. 1–3)Eighteen specimens taken in 9 trawls.
*No date givenNorth Pacific (35°20′N 126°43′W)
{NEP}
ArchiteuthisTentacles onlyML: ~500 mm [estimate]; TL: 1030/1570 mm; CL: 311/357 mm; CSC: 247/246; TSC: >273/>274; additional indices and countsP. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology [specimen NP-33 of Roeleveld (2002)]Nesis et al. (1985:519); Roeleveld (2002:727)One of the 18 specimens from record #226. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
2422 July 19801,500 miles (2,400 km) off Oregon, Northeast Pacific (42°35′N 148°35′W) at 15 m depth
{NEP}
By pelagic trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntire, minus arms and tentaclesML: 164 cm [fresh]; FL: 75 cm [fresh]; FW: 43 cm [fresh]; description of thawed plus preserved specimenZMMGUNesis et al. (1985:518)Taken by R/V Novoul'yanovsk with 133 m pelagic trawl.
2431980off New South Wales coast, Eastern Australia
{SWP}
From smooth hammerhead stomach, Sphyrna zygaenaArchiteuthis sp.BeakUndeterminedML: 706 mm [estimate]Dunning et al. (1993:124)
2441980Vertical de Cudillero, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Not specifiedArchiteuthis duxAt least a tentacleWT: 100 kg [tentacle only?]Guerra et al. (2006:258)Attempt made to haul aboard a tentacle weighing 100 kg [?], but material was discarded upon observation of its poor state. Seen from the ship Oñaegea.
24520 August 1980South African waters
{SEA}
By trawl; taken by fisheries vesselArchiteuthis sp.EntireNoneML: 0.81 mPérez-Gándaras & Guerra (1989:114)
24621 October 1980Patton Escarpment, California, United States (32°28′30″N 120°15′48″W) at 500–600 m depth
{NEP}
By RMT-8 midwater trawlArchiteuthis sp.Tentacle club and stalkTentacle club and stalkCL: 41.5 cmSBMNH; catalog no. 60120Robison (1989:39, figs. 1–2)
247February 1981Kāne'ohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands
{NEP}
By hook and lineArchiteuthis sp.EntireBeak plus piece of flesh?WL: 20 ft (6.1 m)UndeterminedHiga (1981:9)Taken alive while trolling by M. Yoshida and D. Maeda; attacked by false killer whale during retrieval.
24810 February 1981~10 miles (16 km) offshore from Kahana Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
{NEP}
Caught by fisherman"likely to be of the genus Architeuthis"At least head and arms; skin and eye(s) intact(adult)EyD: at least 270 mm [estimate]; pupil diameter: 90 mm [estimate]Nilsson et al. (2012:683)Caught by fisherman Henry Olsen. Photograph of freshly caught specimen taken by Ernie Choy at pier shows head with undamaged eye; used by Nilsson et al. (2012) to estimate eye and pupil diameter on basis of standard fuel hose visible in frame (findings of paper summarised by Partridge, 2012; challenged by Schmitz, 2013; Schmitz et al., 2013a; Schmitz et al., 2013b; defended by Nilsson et al., 2013).
24920 May 1981Vavilov Ridge, Southeast Atlantic (7°56′S 0°57′E) at 400–470 m depth
{SEA}
By 110 m cable-trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireTentacles plus part of viscera; remainder lostTL: 420 + 400 cm [fresh]; TL: 287 + 269 cm [fixed]; additional counts, measurements, and descriptionUndeterminedNesis et al. (1985:522)Taken by R/V Novoukrainka.
2501981Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Not specifiedArchiteuthis duxEntire??EL: 10 mGuerra et al. (2006:258)Displayed in a Gijón fish shop before being sold at a market in Avilés.
2513 August 1981Orange River mouth, Southeast Atlantic (27°45′S 10°45′E) at 18–95 m depth
{SEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireML: 81 cm; TL: 364 cm; WT: 11.8 kgUndeterminedNesis et al. (1985:522)Taken by R/V Novoukrainka.
2527 September 1981Azores Islands
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Lower beakUndeterminedLRL: 14.1 mmClarke (1986:fig. 22b)
25311 October 1981Tasman Sea (33°19.4′S 155°00.3′E) at 20 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireLarvaML: 10.3 mmNMVLu (1986:9, fig.); Roper (1992:99, fig. 161)Zeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85); Roper & Shea (2013:116)Captured by FRV Soela at 1450 hours.
254
(📷)
10 November 1981Hare Bay, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire, in remarkably good condition; skin, tentacles and eye(s) intactEntireFemaleML: 159 cm; EL: 32 or 42 ft (9.8 or 12.8 m) [when found]; EL: 29 ft (8.8 m) [as of 2009]; WT: 250–300 lb (110–140 kg); additional measurementsThe Rooms; catalog no. MO-1692. Aldrich specimen No. 14Aldrich (1991:473); Bourque (2009); [Anonymous] (c. 2014)On public display. Found in 30 cm of water adjacent to the property of David Lush, who found it while walking with his young daughter Kelly. Lush and Ray Collins brought it to the attention of Frederick Aldrich. Viewed on beach by staff and students of Jane Collins Academy, one of whom photographed specimen in situ (see [Anonymous], c. 2014). Transported to the Memorial University of Newfoundland and dissected there on 12 November. Donated by Aldrich to the Natural History Branch of the old Newfoundland Museum in 1987. Originally preserved in 300-litre tank. On 18 November 2007, following minor repairs (arms sewn up and loose skin removed), specimen was transferred to an 800-gallon (3,600 l) tank filled with propylene glycol at The Rooms, where it could be exhibited with tentacles fully extended.
255Christmas 1981Playa de Luarca, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Found washed ashore on beachArchiteuthis duxEntire?; poor conditionGuerra et al. (2006:258)Found by Secundino González and Manuel Pico.
2561981–1984Azores
{NEA}
From sperm whale stomachsArchiteuthis ?dux Steenstrup, 1860BeaksUndeterminedWT: 23 kg [estimated average]; ML: 1 m [estimated average]Clarke et al. (1993:71)Found in stomach contents of 76.5% of 17 sperm whales sampled during 1981–1984.
25730 January 1982off New South Wales, Australia (33°44′S 153°00′E) from surface to 600 m depth
{SWP}
By oblique pelagic trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedFemale (juvenile)ML: 42.2 cmJackson et al. (1991:331)Zeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85); Roper & Shea (2013:116)
258July 1982North Canterbury, New Zealand
{SWP}
Trawl captureArchiteuthis sp.EntirePartial clubNMNZ; NMNZ M77446Förch (1998:106)
25923 August 1982off shore, Radøy (near Bergen), Norway
{NEA}
By hook and line, caught aliveArchiteuthis monachus (Steenstrup in Harting, 1860)EntireUndeterminedEL: ~10 m; TL: ~7.3 m; WT: ~220 kgZMUB?Brix (1983:422, fig. 1)Brix et al. (1989:34); Hoving et al. (2006:158)Caught in 5 m deep bay; dying at time of capture. Blood study by Brix et al. (1989).
260
(📷)
September 1982Fladen Ground, northern North Sea, c. 100 miles (160 km) northeast of Aberdeen, Scotland (c. 59°N 0.5°E / 59; 0.5 (Giant squid specimen)), depth unknown but 100–150 m in area [north of Dogger Bank, North Sea (55°30′N 3°00′E; given as "55°30'N 3°E") fide [Naturalis] (2015b), [Naturalis] (2016)]
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis spec.; Architeuthis duxEntire; most of viscera missing, posterior tail and fins cut off, small piece of testis present, fragments of reddish membrane (which normally covers viscera) present, spermatangia deeply implanted in left arm IV (180–350 mm from base)EntireMale (mature?)ML: 900 mm; MT: 22 mm [maximum]; WT: ≥18 kg [much lower than fresh mass]; AL(I): 700+/750+ mm; AL(II): 610+/870+ mm; AL(III): 980+/790+ mm; AL(IV): 830+/940+ mm; TL: 810+/1040+ mm; EyD: 80 mm; GiL: 250 mm; FuD: 55 mm; FuCL: 115 mm; ASD: 15 mm [largest]; [measurements taken after almost 25 years of preservation in formalin]Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, Netherlands; catalog no. RMNH.MOL.92511 & 111016Hoving et al. (2006:153); [Naturalis] (c. 2012); [Naturalis] (2015b); [Naturalis] (2016)On public display. Caught by beam trawler Urk 56, operating from IJmuiden harbour; purchased from F. Sievertsen. First giant squid caught by Dutch fishermen. Probably mature, having spermatangia (inverted spermatophores) implanted in ventral arm. Exhibited at Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden in formalin or 70% alcohol (see [Naturalis], 2015b, 2016).
26130 October 1982Sandy Cove, Fogo Island, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland
{NWA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire, in poor conditionEntire?FemaleML: 169 cm; additional measurementsNMSJ; catalog no. MO-1693. Aldrich specimen No. 15Aldrich (1991:474, fig. 10)"Had engaged in battle with what apparently was another cephalopod".
26230 December 1982Kuzuareyama coast of Noh-machi, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912EntireUndetermined?WL: 3.98 m; WT: 120 kgHonma et al. (1983:23, fig. 1)
2631983Las Tiberas, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Not specifiedArchiteuthis duxWT: 150 kg [dead]Guerra et al. (2006:258)Collected by "El Dioni" of Avilés.
26419 August 1983west coast of North Island, New Zealand (39°03′S 174°04′E)
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireNoneFemale (immature)ML: 2035 mm; HL: ~0.5 m; WT: >200 kg; ASD: 23 mmNMNZ; NMNZ M79971. Gauldie et al. specimen No. 1Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1983:6, fig.); Förch (1998:specimen 1)Judd (1996)Found stuck in filtering screens of cooling water intake of New Plymouth power station. Specimen "appeared to be a different species" from next New Zealand carcass (#266), per Judd (1996).
2658–9 January 1984Cove Bay (near Aberdeen), Scotland
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis cf. duxEntireUndeterminedFemaleWL: ~4.23 m; ML: ~1.75 m; GL: 1.57 m; BC: 1.40 m; HC: 0.88 m; WT: ~168 kg; ED: <1.0-<0.5 mmNixon (1984:4); Boyle (1986:81)Boyle (1984:12); Collins (1998:489)Tested for buoyancy. Egg count estimated at >10×106.
2668 March 1984Auckland Islands (51°16′S 166°52′E) at 533 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedFemaleML: 1930 mm; no other measurementsNone?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 2Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 2)Judd (1996); O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Shinkai Maru. Specimen "appeared to be a different species" from previous New Zealand carcass (#264), per Judd (1996).
26712 April 1984southeast coast of North Island, New Zealand (41°11′S 176°44′E) at 870–1100 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedFemaleML: 930 mm; no other measurementsNone?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 3Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 5)O'Shea (2007)
268April 19843 miles (4.8 km) from Tazones, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis duxEntire?WL: 3–4 mGuerra et al. (2006:258)Captured by Antonio Coro.
2693 May 1984near Castlepoint lighthouse, west coast of North Island, New Zealand (40°54′S 176°14′E)
{SWP}
Found floatingArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedFemaleML: 1770 mm; no other measurementsNone?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 4Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 3)Judd (1996)Specimen "brought to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Wellington on the back of a ute by a rock lobster fisherman", who initially thought it was "a large floating plastic bag" but noticed it was being attacked by gulls. Many features said to be intermediate between those of #264 and 266 (Judd, 1996).
2709 May 1984Cape Palliser, Wellington, New Zealand
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.Entire?UndeterminedNoneStevens (1988:150)
27112 May 1984south coast of North Island, New Zealand (41°17′S 174°47′E)
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedFemaleML: 1825 mm; no other measurementsNone?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 5Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 4)Stevens (1988:150, fig. 3)
272May 1984Namibia, South African waters
{SEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedML: 1250 mm[?]; WT: 38 kg; MW: 390 mm; HW: 250 mm; FL: 570 mm; FW: 280 mm[?]; TL: 4750 mmPérez-Gándaras & Guerra (1989:115)Taken by fisheries vessel.
June 1984Chub Cay, Bahamas (25°24.25′N 77°55′W)
{NWA}
Found dying at surface; not collectedArchiteuthis duxEntire; tentacles missingNoneWL: 400 cm; WT: 114 lb (52 kg)None [specimen No. 11 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:80)Identified based on photo.
273June 1984west coast hoki grounds, South Island, New Zealand
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireFörch (1998:106)Caught by F/V Arrow.
2741984Cal. Sierra d Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
From shark stomachArchiteuthis duxSevered tentacleTC: >10 cmGuerra et al. (2006:258)
27525 July 1984northwest coast of South Island, New Zealand (41°05′S 170°52′E) at 475 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireEntireFemaleML: 1560 mm; TL: 7500 mm [right]; CSC: 250 [right]; additional indices and countsNMNZ; NMNZ M.86826; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 6 [specimen NZ-6 of Roeleveld (2002)]Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 6); Roeleveld (2002:727)O'Shea (2007)Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
27624 September 1984southwest coast of South Island, New Zealand (46°18′S 166°30′E) at 365 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireEntireFemaleML: 2020 mm; TL: 6325/7250 mm; CL: 925/925 mm; CSC: 287/287; TSC: 310/310; additional indices and countsNMNZ; NMNZ M.79976; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 7 [specimen NZ-7 of Roeleveld (2002)]Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 7); Roeleveld (2002:727)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Tengawai. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
277Unknown (sampled during 1984–1990)San Miguel Island, California, United States
{NEP}
From northern elephant seal stomach, Mirounga angustirostrisArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksUndeterminedNoneAntonelis et al. (1994:214)From three northern elephant seals, sampled during 1984–1990.
2786 June 1985New Zealand (47°04′S 169°32′E) at 310 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireFemaleML: ~2000 mmFörch (1998:106)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Daishin Maru 23.
27923 July 1985off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
28031 July 1985off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
28126 August 1985off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
28228 August 1985off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
28329 August 1985off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
2841 September 1985off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
285Unknown (reported 1986)Unknown
{?}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Buccal mass and beakBeakLRL: 18.8 mmUndeterminedClarke (1986:fig. 22a)From sperm whale stomach (G17A65).
286Unknown (reported 1986)South Africa
{SEA}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Lower beakBeakLRL: 17.2 mmUndeterminedClarke (1986:fig. 23)
287Unknown (reported 1986)Azores Islands
{NEA}
Not statedArchiteuthis sp.Lower beakLower beakML: 1980 mm; LRL: 19.4 mmUndeterminedClarke (1986:fig. 24a)
28829 January 1986off Aberdeen, Scotland
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis cf. duxEntireNone; sold commerciallyWL: 2.98 m; ML: 1.45 m; BC: 1.10 m; AC: 0.22 m; WT: ~90 kgBoyle (1986:82)Collins (1998:489)Caught by fishing vessel; measurements by Mr. G. Howard.
289March 1986near mouth of Orange River, South Africa (27°52′S 14°40′E) at 510–550 m depth
{SEA}
By bottom trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireFemale (maturing)ML: 1680 mm; LRL: 17.4 mm; URL: 17.1 mm; extensive measurements, illustrations, and descriptionSAM; catalog no. S1681 [specimen SA-3 of Roeleveld (2000)]Roeleveld & Lipiński (1991:433, pls.); Roeleveld (2000:185)Taken by MT Pardelhas. Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000).
29031 March 1986Auckland Islands (50°50′S 166°51′E) at 296 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedFemaleML: 1720 mm; no other measurementsNone?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 8Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 11)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Akebono Maru 73.
29111 April 1986northeast coast of North Island, New Zealand (35°43′S 174°20′E)
{SWP}
Found floatingArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedMaleML: 1260 mm; no other measurementsNone?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 9Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 9)
29217 April 1986east coast of South Island, New Zealand (43°38′S 174°43′E) at 470 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireEntireFemaleML: 1815 mm; TL: 3150/3110 mm; CSC: 257/248; TSC: 279 [right]; additional indices and countsNMNZ; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 10 [specimen NZ-12 of Roeleveld (2002)]Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 12); Roeleveld (2002:727)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Banshu Maru 8. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
29327 May 1986southwest coast of South Island, New Zealand (46°32′S 166°11′E) at 604 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireEntireFemaleML: 1830 mm; CL: 840 mm; additional indices and countsNMNZ; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 11 [specimen NZ-13 of Roeleveld (2002)]Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 13); Roeleveld (2002:727)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Daishin Maru 28. O'Shea (2007) gives date as 27 April. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
third week of July 1986Newfoundland
{NWA}
Not statedArchiteuthis?Entire?; "rotting"NoneAldrich (1991:460)Reported by T. Matthews of the Department of the Environment at Bristol's Hope, Conception Bay. "No information on the specimen has been obtained, save that it was in "rotting" condition" (Aldrich, 1991:460).
29418 July 1986west coast of South Island, New Zealand (42°03′S 170°26′E) at 450/500 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedML: 1380 mm; WT: 43.5 kg; see Förch (1998:110)None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 12Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:107)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Dolomit.
29519 July 1986east coast of Tasmania, Australia
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis[Anonymous] (2007a)Trivedi (2002)
2968 September 1986east coast of South Island, New Zealand (43°43′S 174°56′E) at 480 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedFemaleML: 2140 mm; no other measurementsNone?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 13Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch 1998:specimen 14)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Banshu Maru 8.
29726 February 1987east coast of South Island, New Zealand (44°09′S 173°44′E) at 350 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireEntireMale [female? fide Roeleveld (2002:727)]ML: 1900 mm; CL: 755 mm; CSC: 222; additional indices and countsNMNZ; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 14 [specimen NZ-8 of Roeleveld (2002)]Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 8); Roeleveld (2002:727)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Daishin Maru 22. Roeleveld (2002) and O'Shea (2007) give coordinates of 44°09′S 173°35′E and O'Shea (2007) gives depth of 312–356 m. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
2985 March 1987off Shetland Islands
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.UndeterminedML: 1100 mmCollins (1998:489)
299April–July 1987approximately 40°S 120°W, South Pacific
{SEP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.Eight juvenilesUndetermined(juveniles)NoneAlexeyev (1994:156, map)Taken in subantarctic waters by R/V Vozrozhdeniye, cruise XI.
3003 May 1987southeast coast of North Island, New Zealand (41°31′S 176°43′E) at 360 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedFemaleML: 1610 mm; no other measurementsNone?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 15Gauldie et al. (1994:94)Förch (1998:107); O'Shea (2007)Listed in table as 3 April. Used for statolith study.
3019 May 1987east coast of South Island, New Zealand (43°38′S 174°14′E) at 506 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedFemaleML: 2135 mm; no other measurementsNone?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 16Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:specimen 15)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Daishin Maru 28.
3021987near Sydney, Australia
{SWP}
By trawl?Architeuthis sp.Entire?UndeterminedWT: 150 kgGannon (1996)"150 kg monster landed near Sydney in 1987"
30319 July 1987off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
30420 July 1987off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
30526 July 1987west coast of South Island, New Zealand (42°35′S 170°23′E) at 503 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedML: 1300 mm; see Förch (1998:110)None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 17Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:107)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Zuiyo 3.
30626 July 1987off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
30728 July 1987off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
30816 August 1987west coast of South Island, New Zealand (41°21′S 170°30′E) at 464 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedML: 1370 mm; WT: 70 kg; no other measurementsNone?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 18Gauldie et al. (1994:94)Förch (1998:108); O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Zuiyo 3.
30925 August 1987west coast of South Island, New Zealand (41°31′S 170°34′E) at 410–608 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedFemaleML: 1230 mm; see Förch (1998:110)None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 19Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:108)O'Shea (2007)
3102 September 1987east of Auckland Islands (51°18′S 170°23′E)
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedML: 1780 mm; see Förch (1998:110)None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 20Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:108)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Mys Kronotsky.
31113 October 1987south coast of South Island, New Zealand (46°24′S 166°23′E) at 487 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedML: 1770 mm; see Förch (1998:110)None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 21Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:108)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Chiyo Maru 2.
312October 1987South African waters (29°46′S 14°43′E)
{SEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedML: 1790 mm[?]; WT: 130 kg; MW: 485 mm; HW: 240 mm; FL: 720 mm; FW: 360 mmPérez-Gándaras & Guerra (1989:115)Taken by fisheries vessel.
3134 November 1987south coast of South Island, New Zealand (47°32′S 169°10′E)
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedML: 2010 mm; see Förch (1998:110)None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 22Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:108)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Chiyo Maru.
3145 November 1987southwest coast of South Island, New Zealand (46°31′S 166°30′E) at 550 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedML: 1770 mm; no other measurementsNone?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 23Gauldie et al. (1994:94)Förch (1998:108); O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Chiyo Maru 2.
31526 November 1987off New Zealand (47°29′S 169°35′E) at 540 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
3165 December 1987New Zealand (47°28′S 169°35′E) at 540 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireWT: ~80 kgFörch (1998:108)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Chiyo Maru 2.
3176 December 1987New Zealand (47°30′S 169°19′E) at 550 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireWT: ~20 kgFörch (1998:108)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Chiyo Maru 2.
318late 1987hoki grounds, South Island, New Zealand
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedFemaleML: 1830 mm; no other measurementsNone?; Förch specimen No. 10Förch (1998:107)
31925 January 1988Auckland Islands (51°00′S 166°42′E) at 495 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887EntireUndeterminedML: 1880 mm; WT: ~150 kg; see Förch (1998:110)None?; Gauldie et al. specimen No. 24Gauldie et al. (1994:94); Förch (1998:108)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Nikolaevskiy Korabel. O'Shea (2007) gives date as 25 December.
320
(📷)
16 April 1988Uradome coast, Shirohara, Iwami-cho, Tottori Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found stranded in shallow water, aliveArchiteuthis duxEntire, good condition; red skin and tentacles intact, most arm tips missingEntireProbably female (maturity unknown)EL: 6959 mm; DML: 1309 mm; MW: 383 mm; Mantle perimeter: 878 mm; FL: 540 mm; FW: 325 mm; HL: 350 mm; HW: 193 mm; TL: 5218/5300 mm; TCL: 703/773 mm; TSD: 20 mm [maximum]; AL(I): 1211/1492 mm; AL(II): 1781/1096 mm; AL(III): 1549/1458 mm; AL(IV): 1343/1507 mm; WT: ~80 kg; extensive additional measurements and countsTottori Prefectural Museum; TRPM-A-595-0201-01Nomura (1988:26); Tamura (1995:481); [Anonymous] (2006); Wada et al. (2014:67, figs. 1–4); Shimada et al. (2017:9)On public display. Specimen photographed in shallow water by Yasuke Yamane. Exhibited at Tottori Prefectural Museum since 21 June 1988, preserved in formalin; oldest specimen on public display in Japan (Shimada et al., 2017:9). Formed part of ground floor exhibit at Misawa Airport between 15 and 30 July 2006 ([Anonymous], 2006). Removed from old tank and examined in detail on 19 March 2013 (see Wada et al., 2014).
32128 July 1988off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
32229 July 1988off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
32331 July 1988off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
32412 March 1989Namibia (26°07′S 13°41′E)
{SEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireOnly tentacle clubs, hectocotylus, genitalia, beaks, and statolithMale (mature)ML: 1220 mm [fresh]; FL: 540 mm [thawed]; FW: 460 mm [thawed]; MW: 460 mm [thawed]; TL: 5060 + 4510 mm [thawed]; WT: 41,350 g [thawed]; other measurementsICM?Villanueva & Sánchez (1993:33)
August 1989South Shore, Bermuda (~32°12′N 64°53′W)
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis duxEntire?, "relatively good condition"ML: 95 cm[specimen No. 12 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:80)
325September 1989Santa Catarina State, Brazil (27°24′S 45°37′W)
{SWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis sp.FemaleML: 151 cmInstituto de Pesca, Santos, BrazilArfelli et al. (1991:83, figs. 2–3)et al. (1998:109)
3267 February 1990Poipu, Kauai, Hawaiian Islands
{NEP}
From sperm whale stomachArchiteuthis sp.Lower beaksUndeterminedClarke & Young (1998:625)From stranded 7250 kg male sperm whale.
32710 February 1990Long Rock, Penzance, Cornwall, England
{NEA}
From stomach of stranded sperm whaleArchiteuthis spp.47 beaksBeaks?UndeterminedClarke & Pascoe (1997:1256)Roper & Shea (2013:112)From 46 ft (14 m) male sperm whale. Giant squid accounted for 43% by number and estimated 80% by weight of total stomach contents. Possibly largest number of giant squid beaks found in a single whale stomach; see Roper & Shea (2013:112).
32819 July 1990West Cove, San Miguel Island, California, United States
{NEP}
From northern elephant seal stomach, Mirounga angustirostrisArchiteuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912BeaksOne lower beakNoneNMML; catalog no. 486Fiscus (1993:94)From male northern elephant seal (specimen no. Y1991/1992).
32914 March 1991Soetwater, Kommetjie (Cape Peninsula), South Africa
{SEA}
UndeterminedArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireFemale (mature)ML: 1850 mm; statolith; LRL: 16.2 mm [estimate]; URL: 16.5 mm; additional beak measurementsSAM; catalog no. S2486 [specimen SA-4 of Roeleveld (2000)]Lipiński (1997:299); Roeleveld (2000:185)The Natal Mercury, 1996; Roeleveld (1998:8)Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000).
33015 June 1991South Africa (34°47′S 18°14′E)
{SEA}
UndeterminedArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireFemale (maturing)ML: 1400 mm; statolith; LRL: 18.1 mm; URL: 17.6 mm; additional beak measurementsSAM; catalog no. S2546 [specimen SA-5 of Roeleveld (2000)]Roeleveld (1996); Lipiński (1997:299); Roeleveld (2000:185)Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000).
33120 July 1991east coast of Tasmania, Australia
{SWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis[Anonymous] (2007a)Trivedi (2002)
332?, 1992Playa de Xagó, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Not specified; found floating at surface?Architeuthis duxMantle and head at leastGuerra et al. (2006:258)Rest of mantle and head wrapped in a cloth of "volanta". Found by Guardia Civil.
3331992El Musel, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Not specifiedArchiteuthis duxEntire??EL: 5 mGuerra et al. (2006:258)
April 1992playa de Los Positos, Mazo, La Palma, Canary Islands
{NEA}
Found on beachArchiteuthis?"remains""small samples""large specimen"González & Heylen (2002:71)Samples taken by biologists and analysed without reaching definitive conclusion.
3347 May 1992Kommetjie (Cape Peninsula), South Africa
{SEA}
UndeterminedArchiteuthis sp.Head onlyHeadFemaleML: 1600 mm [estimate]; statolith; LRL: 17.1 mm; URL: 17.3 mm; additional beak measurementsSAM; catalog no. S2556 [specimen SA-6 of Roeleveld (2000)]Roeleveld (1996); Lipiński (1997:299); Roeleveld (2000:185)Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000).
33510 June 1992west of Cape Columbine (32°53'S), South Africa
{SEA}
UndeterminedArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireFemale (?maturing–mature)ML: 1770 mm; statolith; LRL: 17.5 mm; URL: 18.8 mm; additional beak measurementsSAM; catalog no. S2562 [specimen SA-7 of Roeleveld (2000)]Roeleveld (1996); Lipiński (1997:299); Roeleveld (2000:185)Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000).
33615–16 July 1992northwest of Chatham Islands; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
[7]
(📷)
Unknown (reported 1993)southern Japan
{NWP}
Sick/dying animal photographed and filmed in shallow waterArchiteuthis dux; Moroteuthis robusta [fide Ellis (1998a:210); Norman (2000:174); Glaubrecht & Salcedo-Vargas (2004:66)] (now known as Onykia robusta; see Bolstad, 2008:106, 2010)Entire; aliveNoneNonePoppe & Goto (1993:pl. 28 fig. 1); Ellis (1998a:210)Japanese made-for-television film; Norman (2000:174)Non-architeuthid. Photograph of sick/dying Onykia robusta taken by H. Kubota in shallow water. Squid is shown with diver, although wide-angle photography exaggerates animal's size. A video of the same squid appears in a Japanese made-for-television film (Ellis, 1998a:211). If correctly identified as an architeuthid it would have been the first photo/recording of a live giant squid (Ellis, 1998a:211).
33714 May 1993Morne Brabant, Mauritius
{SIO}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndetermined?ML: 4.5 m; WT: 240 kgStaub (1993:141, pl. 1a,b)Paxton (2016a:83)Discussing maximum mantle length in giant squid, Paxton (2016a:83) wrote: "A 4.5 m specimen from Mauritius is often mistakenly cited but consultation of the primary paper (Staub, 1993) reveals an ill-defined length which is clearly not ML."
33823 December 1993at edge of mangroves, east side of Hungry Bay, Paget, Bermuda
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis duxEntire?ML: 7–8 ft (2.1–2.4 m)[specimen No. 13 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:80)Collected by Thad Martin; T. Murdoch and C. Bosch-de-Noya also mentioned. Not found in BAMZ collection.
February 1994La Palma, Canary Islands
{NEA}
Found on beach?Architeuthis?"remains""small samples"None givenGonzález & Heylen (2002:71)Samples taken by biologists and analysed without reaching definitive conclusion.
March 1994 [9 November fide González & Heylen (2002:70)]3 miles (4.8 km) off Los Cristianos, southern Tenerife, Canary Islands
{NEA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis duxEntireEntireFemale (adult)EL: >10 m; WT: 350/600 kgMuseo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre, Santa Cruz de TenerifeGonzález & Heylen (2002:69, fig.); [OAMC] (2008); [Anonymous] (2014a); [MNH] (2014)[Anonymous] (2004); Alcalá (2004)Found by tourist boat Batros I. Thought to have been attacked by sperm whale 2–3 days earlier; several cetacean teeth found among remains. Replica exhibited in Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre in Santa Cruz de Tenerife; specimen itself was long stored frozen and briefly put on public display as part of temporary exhibition "El Museo Fabulado" between 18 March and 31 May 2011.
33921 April 1994Izu-Ogasawara Islands, off central Honshū, Japan (35°20.1′N 143°00.1′E) from surface to 140 m depth
{NWP}
By trawl (obliquely-towed plankton net)Architeuthis sp.Entire; "not in good condition"Entire(juvenile)ML: 19.8 mm; FL: 4.5 mm; HL: 6.4 mm, additional measurementsNot statedTsuchiya & Mori (1998:225)Roper & Shea (2013:116)
340May 1994New Zealand (43°55′S 176°50′E) at 515 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireIn piecesML: 1850 mm; FL: 760 mmNMNZ; NMNZ M18019Förch (1998:109)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Dalmor.
341May 1994New Zealand (43°48′S 177°35′E) at 514 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireIncompleteML: 1110 mm; FL: 490 mmNMNZ; NMNZ M18020Förch (1998:109)O'Shea (2007)Caught by F/V Dalmor.
342
(📷)
August 1994off Ishikawa-shi (now part of Uruma-shi), Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Not statedgiant squid ("ダイオウイカ")Entire; tentacles intactEntireEL: 6.37 m; WT: 63 kgOkinawa Churaumi AquariumShimada et al. (2017:9)On public display. Exhibited at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, preserved in formalin.
January 1995off King Island, Bass Strait
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis"slightly larger" than specimen of 9 March 1995Zeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85)
343January 1995500 km off South Island, New Zealand
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis"even larger" than January 1995 specimen from King IslandZeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85)
3449 March 1995~3.2 nm SSE of Cape Banks, Australia (37°56.32′S 140°20.79′E)
{SWP}
Found floating at surface, recently deadArchiteuthis sp.Entire, tail damaged, all arms damaged (with most tips missing), tentacles damaged (left missing club, right with detached club portion), eyes missing, head detachedEntireFemaleML: 1530 mm; VML: 1400 mm; MW: 440 mm; MT: 40 mm [maximum]; HL: 320 mm; HW: 270 mm; WT: 48 kg (mantle) + 38 kg (head with limbs);
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FL: 430 mm; FW: 175 mm; FuL: 250 mm; FuD: 110 mm; FuCL: 190 mm; FuCW: 50 mm [maximum]; GL: 1440 mm; GW: 190 mm [maximum]; RL: 340 mm; RW: 130 mm [maximum]; EyOD: 170 mm; distance between eye orbits (dorsally): 90 mm; RL: 70 mm [curled]; RW: 10 mm [between teeth, maximum]; AL(I): 810/610 mm; AL(II): 1450/1120 mm; AL(III): 1330/1290 mm; AL(IV): 1140/1750 mm; ASD: 7–14 mm [left arm I]; TL: 4260/2970 mm (7390 mm total incl. detached club portion); DC: 195 mm; MaL: 410 mm; CaL: 130 mm; CW: 50 mm [maximum]; CSD: 25 mm [maximum]; LRL: 18 mm; URL: 18 mm; additional beak measurements
SAMA; SAMA D18936 (main specimen) + B80 (frozen sample) + XD0040 (alcohol-fixed sample)Zeidler & Gowlett-Holmes (1996:85)Ellis (1998a:6)Caught by Martin Von Stanke on F/V Ocean Lady over ~25 m bottom depth. Stored on ice and transported to museum (with assistance of Thierry Laperousaz) after 1 day without prior freezing. Tissue samples from digestive gland and arm (SAMA B80) saved at −80 °C, muscle samples from mantle and tentacle (SAMA XD0040) preserved in 100% alcohol.
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Beak, radula and fragmented gladius removed and preserved separately. Stomach contained only 9 undetermined squid suckers (13–16 mm diameter) and remains of others. Two large gashes (~20 cm) on left side of mantle may indicate predator attack (but no whales sighted in area at the time).
3452 April 1995Golfo San Jorge, Argentina (46°30′S 66°00′W) at 70 m depth
{SWA}
By trawlArchiteuthisFemale (mature)ML: 1625 mmMuseo de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia, Buenos AiresBrunetti et al. (1998:xxx)et al. (1998:109); [Anonymous] (1999a); Brunetti et al. (1999:16)
34626 April 1995west of Aran Islands, Ireland (53°00′N 12°20′W) at 287 m depth
{NEA}
By 80 mm mesh benthic trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedMale (mature)ML: 1028 mm; MW: 379 mm; TL: 4555 mm; EL: 5970 mm; WT: 26.9 kg;
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HL: 275 mm; HW: 135 mm; AL(I): 870 mm; AL(II): not measured; AL(III): 1054 mm; AL(IV): 1512/1465 mm; LAL: 1512 mm; TCL: 504 mm; DC: 158 mm; MaL: 252 mm; CaL: 94 mm; HeL: no obs.; FL: 390 mm; FW: 298 mm (one fin: 149 mm); EyD: 80 mm; PL: 555 mm; SoA: no obs.; SL: 125–150 mm; LRL: 10.9 mm; URL: 12.5 mm; SInc: 294; G(W): 4.25%
NMI; catalog no. 14-1995Collins et al. (1997:562); Guerra et al. (2004:8)Lordan et al. (1998:905); Collins (1998:489); O'Sullivan (2017)Taken by trawler Sionnainn, skippered by Michael Flannery. Flannery's son caught two giant squid in the same area in 2017.
34724 June 1995Porcupine Bank, Ireland (52°25′N 13°45′W) at 300 m depth
{NEA}
By 80 mm mesh benthic trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndetermindedMale (mature)ML: 975 mm; MW: 335 mm; EL: 5950 mm; WT: 22.45 kg;
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HL: 270 mm; HW: 137 mm; TL: 4823 mm; TCL: 500 mm; DC: 172 mm; MaL: 252/236 mm; CaL: 77/92 mm; FL: 356 mm; FW: 266 mm; EyD: 95 mm; PL: 574 mm; SoA: no obs.; SL: 120–140 mm; HeL: no obs.; LRL: 12.7 mm; URL: 12 mm; SInc: 375; G(W): 3.29%
NMI; catalog no. 44-1995Collins et al. (1997:562); Guerra et al. (2004:8)Lordan et al. (1998:905); Collins (1998:489); O'Sullivan (2017)Taken by trawler Sionnainn, skippered by Michael Flannery. Flannery's son caught two giant squid in the same area in 2017.
34825 June 1995southwest Aran Islands, Ireland (52°50′N 10°20′W) at 110 m depth
{NEA}
By 80 mm mesh benthic trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireUndeterminedMale (mature)ML: 1084 mm; MW: 335 mm; WT: 26.5 kg;
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HL: 288 mm; HW: 144 mm; AL(IV): 1111 mm; LAL: 1111 mm; FL: 368 mm; FW: 264 mm; EyD: 96 mm; HeL: no obs.; PL: 702 mm; SoA: no obs.; SL: 135–155 mm; LRL: 13.3 mm; URL: 10 mm; SInc: 422; G(W): 2.96%
NMI; catalog no. 43-1995Collins et al. (1997:562); Guerra et al. (2004:8)Lordan et al. (1998:905); Collins (1998:489)Taken by trawler Galway.
26 June 1995off Fowey Rocks Light, Florida, United States (Straits of Florida) (24°45′N 81°00′W; given as "24°45'N 81°W")
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis duxEntire?, "mutilated remains"EL: 15–18 ft (4.6–5.5 m); WT: 60 lb (27 kg)[specimen No. 14 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:80)Identified based on photo.
34910 July 1995South Africa (32°50′S 16°40′E)
{SEA}
UndeterminedArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireMale (mature)ML: 1180 mm; statolith; LRL: 14.1 mm; URL: 15.4 mm; additional beak measurementsSAM; catalog no. S3353 [specimen SA-10 of Roeleveld (2000)]Lipiński (1997:299); Roeleveld (2000:185)Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000).
35015 July 1995Golfo San Jorge, Bahía Bustamante, Argentina (45°12′S 66°30′W)
{SWA}
Found washed ashore on mat of seaweedFemale (immature)ML: 1300 mmRuiz & Fondacaro (1996)et al. (1998:109); Brunetti et al. (1999:16)
35127 September 1995Playa de los Pozos, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
By seine fishingArchiteuthis duxEntire?WT: 160 kgGuerra et al. (2006:258)Caught by the boats Nuevo Juanito and Hermanos of Avilés using a seine.
3521 December 1995off South Island, New Zealand (43°24'–43°31'S 169°20'–169°10'E) at 305 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireNIWAPuente (1996); O'Shea (2007)Collected by T. Devlin on F/V J. Elaine. O'Shea (2007) gives coordinates as 43°24.31′S 169°20.10′E.
353December 1995off New Zealand (43°26′S 176°23′E)
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisEntire?Entire?, left tentacle looseMale (mature)ML: 1200 mm; TL: 2757+ mm [left]; CL: 552 mm [left]; CSC: 247 [left]; TSC: 278 [left]; additional indices and countsNMNZ; NMNZ Z.8900 [specimen NZ-36 of Roeleveld (2002)]Roeleveld (2002:727)Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
35431 December 1995off South Island, New Zealand (43°12.3′S 178°19.9′W) at 425 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntire, both tentacles looseFemale (maturing?)ML: 2000 mm; WT: ~600 lb (270 kg); TL: 7300 mm [TL: 5702/4813 mm fide Roeleveld (2002:729)]; CL: 850 mm [812/753 mm fide Roeleveld (2002:735)]; CSC: 243/242; TSC: 273/268; additional indices and countsNMNZ; NMNZ Z.8436 [specimen NZ-16 of Roeleveld (2002)]Ellis (1997a:1); Förch (1998:specimen 16); Roeleveld (2002:727, figs. 2–3)Puente (1996); [Anonymous] (1996a); O'Shea (2007)Collected by FRV Tangaroa. Originally deposited at NIWA. Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
35531 December 1995off New Zealand (43°12′S 178°20′W) at 425 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)Listed as separate record by O'Shea (2007).
356Unknown (reported 1996)near Mt Gambier, off Cape Banks, South Australia
{SWP}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireFemaleWT: 86 kg; BL+HL: 1.85 m; AL: 1.75 m (longest); TL: 7.39 m (longest); EyOD: 17 cm; EL: >9 mSAMAZeidler (1996:7, fig.)Female with fully formed ovaries and small white eggs.
357"very early" January 1996 [16 January fide O'Shea (2007)]off South Island, New Zealand (43°26.47′S 176°23.17′E) at 310 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireMaleTL: 21 ft (6.4 m)NIWAEllis (1997a:9)Förch (1998:109); Puente (1996); [Anonymous] (1996a); O'Shea (2007)Caught by FRV Tangaroa.
358February 1996off New Zealand (43°26′S 176°23′E) at 310 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
359February 1996Perlora, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Not specifiedArchiteuthis duxMantle severed in its first third, missing arms and tentaclesGuerra et al. (2006:258)
36014 March 1996off west coast of Tasmania, Australia (42°15′S 144°41′E42°00′S 144°35′E) at 840–1000 m depth
{SWP}
Captured live by commercial trawl fishing for orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus), but likely died under weight of fish during haul to surfaceArchiteuthis sanctipauli Velain, 1877Entire, missing majority of skinEntireFemale (subadult)ML: 191 cm; EL: 12 m [estimate]NMV 74479Norman & Lu (1997:683); Norman (2000:152, fig.); Landman et al. (2004:685)Ellis (1998a:6)Isotopic analysis of statolith carried out by Landman et al. (2004) to determine age and habitat. Photographed by David Paul.
36121 March 1996off New Zealand (50°50′S 166°55′E) at 420 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
36222 March 1996off west coast of Tasmania, Australia (42°54′S 145°0′E) at 460 m depth
{SWP}
Captured live in commercial fishing trawlArchiteuthis sanctipauli Velain, 1877Entire, skin largely intactEntireFemale (submature)ML: 2.4 m; EL: 15 m [intact estimate]; WT: 220 kg; ovary: ~3 kg ("small")NMV F74482Norman & Lu (1997:683); Norman (2000:154, 4 figs.); Landman et al. (2004:685)Ellis (1998a:6); [Anonymous] (2003, fig.); Roper & Shea (2013:116)Mated female with spermatophores embedded in epidermis of both ventral arms, around 1 m from mouth. Ovary occupying <20% of mantle cavity contained "hundreds of thousands of undeveloped eggs". Adult specimen according to Landman et al. (2004:686). Isotopic analysis of statolith carried out by Landman et al. (2004) to determine age and habitat. Photographed by David Paul.
36324 May 1996Golfo San Jorge, Bahía Bustamante, Argentina (45°08′S 66°31′W)
{SWA}
Found washed ashore, deadArchiteuthis sp.EntireFemale (immature)ML: 1940 mm; ?TL: 4.2 m; WT: 180 kg; see et al. (1998)MCNOPMet al. (1996:161, fig. 1); et al. (1998:109)Brunetti et al. (1999:16, fig. 7A)Exhibited at the museum of Puerto Madryn. Photographed with two children.
36410 June 1996off King Island, Tasmania, Australia, at 1000 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireWT: >200 kg; ?TL: 8 mNMVGannon (1996); [Anonymous] (1996b)Ellis (1998a:6)Captured by D. McNamara and R. Bradshaw on trawler Empress Pearl.
3651 October 1996off King Island, northwest of Tasmania, Australia (40°S 143°9′E–40°15′S 143°15′E) at 980–1000 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis sanctipauli Velain, 1877Entire?EntireFemale (subadult)ML: 159 cm (without fins)NMV 78297Landman et al. (2004:685)Carlini (1998); Carlini & Graves (1999:60)Tissue sample used for COI sequence analysis by Carlini (1998) and Carlini & Graves (1999) (GenBank accession: AF000027). Isotopic analysis of statolith carried out by Landman et al. (2004) to determine age and habitat.
36619 November 1996off Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
{NEP}
Found in stomach contents of blue shark (Prionace glauca)Architeuthis sp.Pair of beaks (from a single specimen)EntireLRL: 13.44 mm; ML: 741.5 mm [estimate]; WT: 24365.0 g [estimate]Markaida & Sosa-Nishizaki (2010)Live weight constituted an estimated 7.27% of total prey weight from 893 blue sharks sampled. First giant squid record from Mexican waters and southernmost record in the California Current.
3671996Chatham Rise, New Zealand
{SWP}
Architeuthis?EL: 26 ft (7.9 m)O'Shea (1997)Ellis (1998a:264)
3681996Chatham Rise, New Zealand
{SWP}
Architeuthis?EL: 13 ft (4.0 m)O'Shea (1997)Ellis (1998a:264)
3691996New Zealand
{SWP}
Architeuthis?EL: 22–26 ft (6.7–7.9 m)O'Shea (1997)Ellis (1998a:264)
370
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24 December 1996Hawai, Tōhaku District, Tottori Prefecture, Japan
{NWP}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis japonicaEntire, tentacles missingEntireML: 171 cm; WL: ~450 cm [14.4 ft (4.4 m) fide Ellis, 1998a:264]; EL: ~10 m [estimate; 7–8 m fide Shimada et al., 2017:9]; WT: 120–150 kgNational Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo)[NSMT] (2012)The Japan Times, 1996; Ellis (1998a:264); [Anonymous] (2005); Shimada et al. (2017:9)On public display. Exhibited at the National Museum of Nature and Science (preserved in formalin), where it formed the backdrop for a press event with Tsunemi Kubodera on the first images of a live giant squid in the wild (#466; [Anonymous], 2005).
1997off Sergipe, Brazil
{SWA}
"found"ArchiteuthisMartins & Perez (2009)Unreported prior to Martins & Perez (2009).
371
(📷)
16 July 1997North Sea at 100 m depth
{NEA}
Caught in netArchiteuthisEntire; tentacles intactEntire?EL: 5 mSMNHSMNH (2015); SMNH (N.d.)On public display. Caught by Danish fishermen. Exhibited in tank at the Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm.
28 October 199710 miles (16 km) offshore, Bahamas (Straits of Florida)
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis duxEntire?, "completely intact body"None given[specimen No. 15 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:80)Found over bottom depth of 2000 m.
372December 1997 – April 1998Chatham Rise, New Zealand
{SWP}
"Captured"ArchiteuthisSeven specimens5 males (mature), 2 females (mature)Landman et al. (1999:72)
37327 December 1997Merneo Bank, Chatham Rise, New Zealand (44°20.4–23.5'S 173°54.3–37.0'E) at 671–674 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthis kirkii Robson, 1887Entire; tentacles broken off, minor damage to fins and one armEntireMale (mature)ML: 1.24 m; ?WL: 25.25 ft (7.70 m) ["without ten[t]acles"; see [AMNH], 2013]; WT: ~200 lb (91 kg) [220 kg per specimen label; see [AMNH], 2013]; EyD: 6 in (15 cm); beak crest length: 47.5 mmAMNH; AMNH 291938[AMNH] (1998a); [AMNH] (1998b); Landman & Ellis (1998:150, fig.); Cordeiro & Hussaini (1999:25); Landman et al. (1999:72); Dussling & Johnson (1999); [AMNH] (1999); Pollak (1999); [AMNH] (2013)Tanabe (2012:12); Tanabe et al. (2015:35)Collected by commercial fishermen of F/V Aquila. Offered as gift to AMNH by Steve O'Shea of NIWA, who contacted Neil Landman in March 1998. Transported from Wellington to New York City by combination of refrigerated trucks and air cargo (with unscheduled delay in Los Angeles). Received by AMNH still frozen on 10 June 1998, as first specimen in its history. Photographed by Portia Rollings of AMNH upon arrival. Examined and preserved by Landman and Paula Mikkelsen.
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Tissue samples taken and beak and radula removed and placed in 95% ethanol. Specimen injected with and fixed in 10% saline formalin solution. Kept this way for 2 weeks and buffered in first 4 days (ultimately with sodium bicarbonate) to preserve sucker rings. Next subjected to 5 days of freshwater washes and finally transferred to 70/75% ethanol. Mature spermatophore found in mantle cavity. Put on display in Hall of Biodiversity from 12 October 1999, in 1500-litre stainless steel and fibreglass tank (built under direction of David Harvey) with tentacles taken from different New Zealand specimen. Covered in 1999 children's book Giant Squid: Mystery of the Deep (Dussling & Johnson, 1999).
37418 January 1998Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
{NEA}
Found washed ashoreArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireFemaleML: 1230 mm; see Collins (1998:491)NMSZCollins (1998:491)Boyle & Rodhouse (2005:196, fig. 12.1.1)
37513 March 1998off New Zealand (42°50.9–49.8'S 177°16.6'–176°55.3'E) at 489–475 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
3769 April 1998South Patagonian shelf, off Argentina (50°39.0′S 66°35.3′W) at 105 m depth (bottom depth also 105 m)
{SWA}
By bottom trawlArchiteuthis sp.FemaleML: 1.4 mInstituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero (INIDEP)Brunetti et al. (2002)[Anonymous] (1999a); Brunetti et al. (1999:16)Taken by the vessel Kasuga Maru of the Pespasa fishing company. Collected by fishery inspector. Surface water temperature recorded as 9.1 °C and air temperature as 14 °C.
3779 April 1998off New Zealand (44°00′S 177°35′W) at 500 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
37810 April 1998off New Zealand (43°56.8'–44°03.8'S 175°51.6–30.1'E) at 519–523 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
37918 April 1998about ten miles (16 km) from Saint Paul, La Réunion Island (21°00′S 55°45′E)
{SIO}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis dux"big chunk of flesh ... including the base of the arms, head and the upper part of the mantle"Buccal mass, beak; tip of rostrum of lower beak brokenLRL: 17.0–17.5 mm [estimate]; ML: 174–193 cm [estimate]Cherel (2003:1295)Fishermen reported rapid skin colour change, suggesting chromatophores were still active and specimen was freshly dead. Other remains of large squid were observed. Sperm whales said to have occurred in the area at the time.
380
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mid-1998beach near Fuengirola, Andalusia, Spain
{MED}
Found washed ashore dead but relatively freshArchiteuthisEntireEntireFemale (immature)ML: ~125 cmMuseo Alborania, Aula del Mar de CREMA, Málaga, SpainGuerra et al. (2006:89)On public display. First known giant squid specimen from the Mediterranean Sea. Preserved in formaldehyde. Found in 1997 according to museum guide.
38128 July 1998off New Zealand (42°32.2′S 170°24.1′E) at 500–575 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
38229 July 1998off New Zealand (41°59'–42°10'S 170°32–33'E) at 405 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
38331 July 1998off New Zealand (41°05′S 170°50′E) at 452–526 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
38420 August 1998off New Zealand (42°00′S 170°30′E)
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
38513 November 1998Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (47°14′S 69°23′E) at 630–710 m depth
{SIO}
Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.)Architeuthis duxLower and upper beakEntireLRL: 15.51 mm; ML: 128 cm [estimate]Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25)Rincon (2004)Mantle length estimated using allometric equation from Roeleveld (2000).
38619 December 1998off New Zealand (43°18.5–32.6'S 174°10.5–17.7'E) at 567 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
387between 26 December 1998 and 9 February 1999off New Zealand (44°11.2′S 178°15.7′W) at 500 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
[8]1999 (reported)New Zealand
{SWP}
Architeuthis; Asperoteuthis lui Salcedo-Vargas, 1999Salcedo-Vargas (1999)Non-architeuthid.
3887 January 1999off New Zealand (43°51.34'S 173°20'–174°37'E)
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
38922 January 1999off New Zealand (43°33′S 174°18′E)
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
39022 January 1999off New Zealand (44°08.2'–43°58.5'S 175°20.3'–174°45.5'E)
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
39127 January 1999off New Zealand (44°20.5′S 177°08.8′W) at 504 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
39212 February 1999off New Zealand (44°16.0′S 179°16.7′W) at 545 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
39315 February 1999South Patagonian shelf, <30 miles (48 km) off Isla de los Estados, Argentina (53°54.6′S 63°45.9′W) at 316–360 m depth (bottom depth 450 m)
{SWA}
By midwater trawlArchiteuthis sp.EntireEntireFemaleML: 1.7 m; ?WL: >3 m; WT: 150 kgInstituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero (INIDEP)[Anonymous] (1999a); Brunetti et al. (2002)Brunetti et al. (1999:16)Taken by the vessel Rikuzen of the Pesantar SA fishing company in 105 m long drag net. Collected by scientific observer. Frozen onboard with arms reconstructed after being crushed by weigh of fish catch. Landed in Ushuaia on 18 March 1999 and thawed on 22 March for sample collection. Examined by Silvana Pineda and others from Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero (INIDEP), who travelled especially from Mar del Plata.
39416 February 1999Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (48°11′S 71°15′E) at 550–870 m depth
{SIO}
Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.)Architeuthis duxLower and upper beakEntireLRL: 16.33 mm; ML: 152 cm [estimate]Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25)Rincon (2004)Mantle length estimated using allometric equation from Roeleveld (2000).
3959 March 1999off New Zealand (48°50.2′S 167°12.3′E)
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
396
(📷)
15 March 1999off New Zealand (48º36.1–54.2'S 166º15.2–24.4'E) at 798 m depth
{SWP}
By trawlArchiteuthisEntire; tentacles intactEntireEL: 27 ft (8.2 m)Mote Aquarium, Mote Marine LaboratoryO'Shea (2007); [Mote] (2015); Ginsberg (2018)[Anonymous] (2007b)On public display. Nicknamed "Molly the Mollusk". Transferred to Mote Marine Laboratory in 1999 and exhibited at Mote Aquarium since 2001. Spent two years as part of travelling exhibit "Sea Monsters" before returning to Mote in September 2015; displayed at "Exploration Gallery" (formerly "Shark Attack Theater").
39716 March 1999off New Zealand (48º49.55'S 166º53'–167º16'E)
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
3985 April 1999Goulding Cay, Northeast Providence Channel, Bahamas (25°01′38.7″N 77°34′27.3″W; given as "25°1'387"N 77°34'273"W")
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis sp.; Architeuthis duxEntire, "whole specimen"; distal half of tentacles missingEntire, in two piecesMale (mature)EL: 11 ft (3.4 m) [missing tentacle ends]RSMAS; "Ex UMML 31.3125" [specimen No. 16 of Roper et al. (2015)][Anonymous] (1999b:1); Roper et al. (2015:80)Found over bottom depth of 2300 m.
39914 May 1999off New Zealand (43°28.35′S 174°14′E) at 515 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
4003 June 19996 miles (9.7 km) east of Fowey Rocks Light, Florida, United States (Straits of Florida) (25°35′N 80°07′W)
{NWA}
Found floating at surface, deadArchiteuthis sp.; Architeuthis duxEntire in "fresh" condition but heavily mutilated; missing distal third of mantle (incl. fins), tentacles, and ends of all arms but arm I(R)EntireML: 700 mm; ML: 1000 mm [intact estimate]; WT: ~20 kg [intact estimate]; Roper et al. (2015:80) give unspecified measurement (total length of remains?) of "110 cm 3.6 ft"RSMAS; catalog no. UMML 31.312b / 31.3126 [specimen No. 17 of Roper et al. (2015)]Seibel et al. (2000:286); Roper et al. (2015:80)Collected by charter-boat Top Dog (Capt. Phil Slaga and Mate Bo Spieler). Found over bottom depth of >300 m. Taken to RSMAS where kept on ice or in refrigerated cold room for ~3 days prior to dissection. Wet weight estimated using mass–length relationship of O'Dor (1988) for ommastrephid squids. Mantle tissue used in study of enzymatic activity by Seibel et al. (2000), providing first estimates of giant squid metabolism and locomotory ability.
40114 June 1999off west coast of Tasmania, Australia, at 500–700 m depth
{SWP}
Caught by trawler fishing for blue grenadierArchiteuthis sp.Entire?Entire?MaleWT: 190 kgDeagle et al. (2005:417); Deagle (2006:27)Specimen was kept frozen in storage until dissection in September 2002. Gut contents underwent genetic screening for prey.
40213 July 1999off New Zealand (41°03.1′S 170°42.4′E) at 530 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
40315 July 1999off New Zealand (42°33′S 170°31′E) at 460 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
40417 July 1999off New Zealand (42°31.32′S 170°21.09′E) at 535 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)Temperature (BT) recorded as 11.5 °C.
40521 July 1999off New Zealand (42°27.32′S 170°28.10′E) at 442 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
4065 August 1999off New Zealand (41°56′S 170°26′E) at 500 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
40729 August 1999nearly 175 miles (282 km) off Santa Catarina, Brazil (28°05′S 45°35′W) over 2,400 m deep waters
{SWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthisEntire; arm pairs I, II, III half-missing, arm pair IV complete, tentacles missing, reproductive system virtually missingEntireFemale (mature)ML: 1160 mm; WT: 50 kg; WL: 2480 mm; MW: 460 mm; HL: 270 mm; HW: 360 mm; FL: 460 mm; FW: 380 mm; FuL: 450 mm [ventral]; FuCL: 125 mm; FuCW: 61 mm; AL(I): 520/510 mm; AL(II): 620/560 mm; AL(III): 750/550 mm; AL(IV): 960/800 mm; ASD: 18 mm [maximum]; GiL: 280 mm; LRL: 15 mm; URL: 20 mm; other measurementsMuseu Nacional-RJ (MNRJ 10761)Martins & Perez (2009, figs. 1–14)Spotted by crew of Brazilian long-liner Macedo V. Spermatophores embedded in left ventral arm, around 60 cm from mouth. Small number of eggs present (~2.0 mm wide). Authors found "a few peculiarities [...] [i]n the shape of the fins, head and the cross-section and length of ventral arms".
408November 1999Carrandi, Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
By trawlArchiteuthis duxWT: 107 kg [dead]Guerra et al. (2006:258)Collected by the trawler Minchos VI.
23 November 1999Bloody Bay Wall, Cayman Islands (Caribbean Sea) (19°44′N 79°48′W)
{NWA}
Not statedArchiteuthis duxNot statedNone given[specimen No. 18 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:81)
4099 December 1999approximately 34 miles (55 km) from Gijón, off coast of Asturias, Spain (43°52.54′N 05°18.74′W) at 300–600 m depth
{NEA}
By trawl; caught aliveArchiteuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857Entire; missing tentacles and arms I, II, III; arm IV(R) not intactEntireFemale (immature)ML: 1800 mm; MW: 560 mm; WT: 148 kg;
more
VML: 1650 mm; MT: 30 mm; HW: 415 mm; AL(IV): 2160/178 mm (second not intact); LRL: 20.5 mm; URL: 21.0 mm; GL: 1670 mm; GW: 200 mm; FL: 690 mm; FW: 515 mm; EyD: 130 mm [estimate]; FuL: 260 mm; FuCL: 175 mm; FuCW: 41 mm; GiL: 500 mm; NGL: 340 mm
CEPESMAGonzález et al. (2002); Guerra et al. (2004:4); Guerra et al. (2006:258)First record of a living specimen collected in Spanish Atlantic waters. Caught by Spanish pair trawlers Minchos V and Minchos VI based in Cillero, Lugo.
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Auctioned off in the market of Avilés and acquired by Pescaderias Jiménez (Jiménez Fishmarkets) of Avilés. Specimen was frozen immediately after measurements were taken. It was later defrosted, dissected, and reconstructed. It was placed in a transparent glass case and fixed for 48 hours in 4% formalin. It is now preserved in 70% alcohol.
410Unknown (between 1954 and 2000)off New Zealand (42°35.41′S 170°15.03′E) at 400 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)Date not recorded.
411Unknown (between 1954 and 2000)off New Zealand (42°31.9′S 170°16.6′E)
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)MFish SOP Trip 1247/7.
412Unknown (reported 2000)North Atlantic (otherwise "no data")
{NEA/NWA}
ArchiteuthisFemale (maturing)ML: 1180 mm; TL: 4395/4320 mm; CL: 785/680 mm; CSC: 260/243; TSC: 286/272; LRL: 15.7 mm; URL: 14.9 mm; additional beak measurements, indices, and countsVSM [specimen NA-22 of Roeleveld (2000) and Roeleveld (2002)]Roeleveld (2000:185); Roeleveld (2002:727)Beak morphometrics studied by Roeleveld (2000). Tentacle morphology examined by Roeleveld (2002).
41325 January 2000off New Zealand (43°48.47′S 174°47.46′E) at 476 m depth
{SWP}
ArchiteuthisO'Shea (2007)
414
(📷)
27 January 2000off New Zealand (44°21.19'S 175°05'–174°34'E) at 615 m depth
{SWP}
"Hauled up" by fishermenArchiteuthis sanctipauliEntireEntireEL: 6.5 m ["lost 2.5 metres (seven feet) of its length through drying out"]; WT: 80 kg [after preservation]MNHN[Anonymous] (2008a); [Anonymous] (2008b); [MNHN] (N.d.); [Anonymous] (2019a); [Anonymous] (2019b)O'Shea (2007)On public display. Named "Wheke" after a sea monster of Māori mythology. Donated by NIWA of New Zealand to the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris. Became the first giant squid specimen to be plastinated; consolidated using structures inserted into tentacles, arms and funnel; 300 suckers reconstituted, original beak replaced, glass eyes inserted, and coloured to approximate natural appearance. Since 2008 on display on ground floor of the Gallery of Evolution (grande galerie de l'Évolution), MNHN. Restored in March 2019 by head MNHN taxidermist Christophe Gottini and assistant Vincent Cuisset over period of at least 30 hours ahead of exhibition "Ocean, an unusual dive", held from 3 April 2019 to 5 January 2020; old paint replaced. Specimen had originally been exposed to dust while still sticky, altering its appearance significantly.
41522 March 2000Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (47°10′S 69°23′E) at 490–620 m depth
{SIO}
Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.)Architeuthis duxLower and upper beakLRL: 11.78 mm; ML: 60 cm [estimate]Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25)Rincon (2004)Mantle length estimated using allometric equation from Roeleveld (2000).
4162 April 2000Asturias, Spain
{NEA}
Found in stomach contents of shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)ArchiteuthisTentacleTL: 2 mGuerra et al. (2006:258)Caught by Spanish vessel Teresa José from Luarca.
41724 April 2000Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (48°26′S 70°58′E) at 680–755 m depth
{SIO}
Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.)Architeuthis duxLower beak onlyLRL: 11.33 mm; ML: 54 cm [estimate]Cherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25)Rincon (2004)Mantle length estimated using allometric equation from Roeleveld (2000).
41810 May 2000Kerguelen waters in southern Polar Frontal Zone (47°25′S 69°14′E) at 420 m depth
{SIO}
Found in stomach contents of sleeper shark (Somniosus sp.)Architeuthis duxLower and upper beak; brokenCherel (2003:1296); Cherel & Duhamel (2004:25)Rincon (2004)
4199 August 2000off New Zealand; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
42028 September 2000south of Wellington, North Island; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
20 October 2000Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States (Straits of Florida) (26°10′N 80°00′W; given as "26°10'N 80°W")
{NWA}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis duxEntire, "completely intact body"; tentacles and arm tips missingMale (mature)WL: 14 ft (4.3 m)[specimen No. 19 of Roper et al. (2015)]Roper et al. (2015:81)Found over bottom depth of c. 2000 m. Sample used as part of mitogenomic study of Winkelmann et al. (2013).
42115 December 2000in the vicinity of Amsterdam Island (37°50′S 77°33′E)
{SIO}
Found floating at surfaceArchiteuthis dux"large mantle"; head and gladius missingTwo funnel locking cartilages and one nuchal cartilageFunnel locking cartilages: 146/148 mm; Nuchal cartilage: "large"Cherel (2003:1295)Collected by French trawler Austral. Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross (Diomedea chlororhynchos) observed feeding on corpse. Fishermen reported two other specimens of large squid observed in previous weeks.
422Unknowneast of Palmerston North, North Island; see map
{SWP}
SightingArchiteuthis sp.Larva(e)Larva(e)O'Shea (N.d.)
423Unknown (reported 2001 or slightly earlier)Hawaii
{NEP}
Found floating at surface after having "had a tangle with a shark"ArchiteuthisEntire, bearing bite marksNot specifiedWT: 175 lb (79 kg) [estimate][Anonymous] (c. 2001); O'Shea (2005)Found by crew of the Illusions charter boat "while filming a TV show with Capt. Norm Issacs for ESPN". Photographed reconstructed on jetty, with head, limbs and anterior portion of mantle shown ventrally, but (detached) finned posterior end of mantle arranged dorsally (O'Shea, 2005).

Specimen images

The following images relate to 20th century giant squid specimens and sightings. The number below each image corresponds to that given in the List of giant squid table and is linked to the relevant record therein. The date on which the specimen was first documented is also given (the little-endian day/month/year date format is used throughout).

Originating from New Zealand, this giant squid specimen (#396) measures 27 feet (8.2 m) in total length and is preserved at Mote Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida. Nicknamed "Molly the Mollusk", it is one of only a handful of giant squid specimens on public display in the United States.

Notes and references

Explanatory footnotes

  1. Though see specimen #320 from Tottori Prefecture, Japan, which was reportedly still alive when found stranded in shallow water on 16 April 1988, where it was photographed in situ (Wada et al., 2014:67, fig. 1).
  2. Though he considered the Berzin specimen a candidate for the "longest measured" giant squid total length, Paxton (2016a:86) thought the record "suspect because of the roundness of the figure, the lack of detailed measurements and because in an associated photo, the mantle (whose length was not given) does not look very large compared to the men in the image. Consequently the measurement, if accurate, would represent another animal with very long tentacles." The supposed 19 m (62 ft) total length of the Berzin specimen was later confirmed to be erroneous; according to Valentin Yukhov, who was involved in the specimen's discovery, it should have read 9 m (30 ft) (Romanov et al., 2017). The misprint was reproduced in the English translation of Berzin's work, published the following year, and was later propagated in a number of papers on giant squid (Romanov et al., 2017).

Full citations

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  • Berry, S.S. (1912). Note on the occurrence of a giant squid off the California coast. The Nautilus 25(10): 117–118.
  • Berry, S.S. (1914). Another giant squid in Monterey Bay. The Nautilus 28(2): 22–23.
  • Blake, J.H. (1909). A giant squid. The Nautilus 23(3)[Jul.]: 43–44.
  • Boyle, P.R. (1986). Report on a specimen of Architeuthis stranded near Aberdeen, Scotland. Journal of Molluscan Studies 52(1): 81–82. doi:10.1093/mollus/52.1.81
  • Brinkmann, A. (1916). Kjæmpeblækspruten (Architheutus [sic] dux Stp.) i Bergens Museum. Naturen: Illustrert Maanedsskrift for Populær Naturvidenskap 40(6)[Jun.]: 175–182, 3 figures. (in Norwegian)
  • Broch, H. (1954). Blekksprut. Fauna: Norsk Zoologisk Forenings Tidsskrift 7(4)[Dec.]: 145–154, 1 figure. (in Norwegian)
  • Budker, P. (1959). Whales and Whaling. The Macmillan Co., New York. 182 pp. OCLC 1433417

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  • Dell, R.K. (1952). The Recent Cephalopoda of New Zealand. Dominion Museum Bulletin 16: 1–157.
  • Dell, R.K. (1970). A specimen of the giant squid Architeuthis from New Zealand. Records of the Dominion Museum 7(4): 25–36.
  • Dyson, J. (1982). Mysterious monster from the deep. Reader's Digest [Nov. 1982]: 107–114.

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  • Ellis, R. (1998a). The Search for the Giant Squid. Lyons Press, New York. ix + 322 pp. ISBN 1-55821-689-8. [Includes list of giant squid: Authenticated Giant Squid Sightings and Strandings. pp. 257–265.]
  • Eyden, P. (2020). England's Architeuthis. The Octopus News Magazine Online, 23 February 2020. 7 figures.

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  • Okiyama, M. (1993). Kinds, abundance and distribution of the oceanic squids in the Sea of Japan. [pp. 403–415] In: T. Okutani, R.K. O'Dor & T. Kubodera (eds.) Recent Advances in Fisheries Biology. Tokai University Press, Tokyo. 752 pp.

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