Scientists of the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have discovered a new species of deep-sea squid from the Arabian Sea—only the second confirmed species of the globally rare genus Taningia. The species, scientifically named Taningia silasii (Indian octopus squid), has been formally described in the international journal Marine Biodiversity.

The specimen was collected from nearly 390 metres depth off the Kollam coast. Measuring 45 cm in length (dorsal mantle length), the squid belongs to the family Octopoteuthidae, whose adults are known for their distinctive absence of tentacles, though they are true deep-sea squids.

The research was led by Dr Geetha Sasikumar, Principal Scientist and Dr Sajikumar K K, Technical Officer.

“We have been studying cephalopods in the Arabian Sea for more than a decade, and this ‘octopus squid’ was something we had never encountered,” said Dr Geetha Sasikumar. Until now, Taningia danae—found in Atlantic waters—was the only known species in this genus. “Previously, squids of the genus Taningia were considered monotypic. DNA barcoding showed more than 11 per cent genetic divergence from the Atlantic species, confirming the specimen as a distinct species”, she added.

Explaining the unusual features of this genus, Dr Sajikumar said: “Although called the ‘octopus squid’, it is in fact a squid that possess only eight arms and lacks the two long tentacles typically seen in other squid species. Members of this family can also attain large sizes, with the Atlantic species growing up to 2.3 metres (7.5 feet) in length and weighing approximately 61.4 kg.”

The species has been named in honour of legendary marine biologist Dr E G. Silas, former Director of CMFRI and former Vice Chancellor of Kerala Agriculture University and a pioneer of cephalopod research in India.

The research scholars Dr. Shijin Ameri and Toji Thomas of CMFRI were also part of the team.

Nearly 400 different species of squids have been described worldwide, inhabiting a wide range of oceanic environments—from shallow coastal regions to deep-sea trenches.