Friday Cephalopod: Pink? And a tutu?

i-3bb21c3d15fc5cd067c38cc3ff05351d-stauroteuthis_syrtensis.jpg
Stauroteuthis syrtensis

Figure from The Deep(amzn/b&n/abe/pwll), by Claire Nouvian.

More like this

Deep sea squid, unidentified species Figure from The Deep(amzn/b&n/abe/pwll), by Claire Nouvian.
Histioteuthis heteropsis Figure from The Deep(amzn/b&n/abe/pwll), by Claire Nouvian.
Helicocranchia sp. Figure from The Deep(amzn/b&n/abe/pwll), by Claire Nouvian.
Glowing sucker octopus Figure from The Deep(amzn/b&n/abe/pwll), by Claire Nouvian.

Beautiful. I can see why you're a fan of these things.

By Stranger to Himself (not verified) on 24 Aug 2007 #permalink

Looks more like an 80's bubble skirt than a tutu to me.

Awesome. But I don't think I want to run into one of those things in the ocean (wouldn't mind seeing it in real life, just not getting up close and personal).

80's bubble skirt? Those things are trying to sneak their way into fashion again! And they don't look nearly as good on humans...

Nice, but I wonder what those structures that look a bit like ribs are.

By Peter Ashby (not verified) on 24 Aug 2007 #permalink

Cheeky little devil. Almost looks like it's sticking its tongue out at the camera....

By G Barnett (not verified) on 24 Aug 2007 #permalink

Beautiful! I just made him (her?) my screensaver!!!

Forgive my ignorance. But what is that thing that looks so much like a tongue? Anybody?

By kristen in montreal (not verified) on 24 Aug 2007 #permalink

"Forgive my ignorance. But what is that thing that looks so much like a tongue? Anybody?"

It is either a tentacle on the far side of the squid or the ovipositor it uses to inject it's young into other animals bodies.

the most glamorous one yet! America's next top model, look out!

Oh my god I just had the most awesome idea for a skirt for my daughter.

Oh for goodness sake, there ain't no such animal!! Completely implausible. You're making these up, PZ. Aren't you?

By Andrew Cooper (not verified) on 24 Aug 2007 #permalink

Ain't that pretty! Actually, kristen and Bob L, the little "tongue" is the funnel poking out of its mantle. Remember that recent photo of the Grimpoteuthis that got so much web publicity and people saying it looked like Pikachu? (here) It's got the same thing visible.

Like a flower!
How big is it?

Saw that thing once in a 50s b film. Floated through the air and vampirized people. Good to see the b film actor protection program found him a new home. :)

I have a feeling that it's only a few inches long.

That's getting a mite personal....
(yes, just a gratuitous contest-entering post)

That skirt is bangin', yo!

Looks like 30cm is a not-unusual size for these critters.

Ain't that pretty! Actually, kristen and Bob L, the little "tongue" is the funnel poking out of its mantle

It could be, but since an ovipositor would cooler I am sticking with it. The creationists should not be the only people who get to pull stuff out of their backsides.