Scientists from the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have discovered a new species of deep-sea squid from the Arabian Sea.

This marks 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, a CMFRI statement said here on Friday.

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, it said.

The research was led by Dr Geetha Sasikumar, Principal Scientist and Dr Sajikumar K K, T

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