This list of colossal squid specimens and sightings is a listing of recorded specimens of Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, popularly known as the colossal squid.
According to Xavier et al. (1999), geographical positions for 188 Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni specimens caught by commercial and scientific fisheries were known as of 1999.
Records are listed chronologically in descending order and numbered accordingly.
Date – Date on which the specimen was first captured, found, or observed. In cases where this is unknown, the date the specimen was first reported is listed instead.
Location – Area where the specimen was found. Given as it appears in the cited references, except where additional information is provided in brackets.
Oceanic sector – The quadrant of a major ocean in which the specimen was found (see Oceanic sectors).
Method of capture – Method by which the specimen was recovered or observed. Given as it appears in the cited references, although "washed ashore" encompasses all stranded animals.
Identification – Species or genus level taxon to which the specimen was originally assigned. Given as it appears in the cited references. Listed chronologically if specimen was re-identified.
Material cited – Original specimen material that was recovered or observed.
Material saved – Material that was kept after examination and not discarded (if any).
Sex – Sex and sexual maturity of the specimen.
Size and measurements – Data relating to measurements and counts. Abbreviations used are based on standardised acronyms in teuthology (see Measurements), with the exception of several found in older references.
Repository – Institution in which the specimen material is kept. The acronyms used are those defined by Leviton et al. (1985) and Leviton & Gibbs (1988) (see Repositories). Where the acronym is unknown, the full repository name is listed.
Cited references – Sources that provide specific data on a particular specimen.
Additional references – Sources which merely refer to the specimen.
Notes – Miscellaneous information.
Note: Names of anatomical features are retained from original sources (e.g. jaws may be given instead of the preferred beak).
The following abbreviations are used in the List of colossal squid table.
M. hamiltoni has a circumpolar Antarctic distribution.
SWA, Southwest Atlantic Ocean
SEA, Southeast Atlantic Ocean
SWP, Southwest Pacific Ocean
SEP, Southeast Pacific Ocean
SIO, Southern Indian Ocean
Abbreviations used for measurements and counts are based on standardised acronyms in teuthology, primarily those defined by Roper & Voss (1983), with the exception of several found in older references.
ED, egg diameter
EL, "entire" length (end of tentacle(s), often stretched, to posterior tip of tail; in contrast to WL, measured from end of arms to posterior tip of tail)
EyD, eye diameter
FL, fin length
FW, fin width
HL, head length (most often base of arms to edge of mantle)
HW, head width
LD, lens diameter
LRL, lower rostral length of beak
ML, mantle length (used only where stated as such)
MW, maximum mantle width (used only where stated as such)
WL, "whole" length (end of arms, often damaged, to posterior tip of tail; in contrast to EL, measured from end of tentacles to posterior tip of tail)
WT, weight
Institutional acronyms are those defined by Leviton et al. (1985) and Leviton & Gibbs (1988). Where the acronym is unknown, the full repository name is listed.
NMNH, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
The number directly below each image corresponds to the specimen or sighting, in the List of colossal squid, that the image depicts. The date on which the specimen was first captured, found, or observed is also given.
