Mystery Of The Giant Squid Solved With DNA: Copenhagen Scientists Determine All Giant Squid Belong To Same Species

A new study into the giant squid mystery shows a low level of genetic diversity among the creature once believed to be a myth.

The research into the mystery of the giant squid comes from the University of Copenhagen scientists. They have taken DNA samples from various squids found in the stomach of sperm whales and from dead squid found washed up on beaches.

The scientists have discovered that the giant squid are all members of the same species. The giant squid does not have a structured population, as do other species of squid. They dwell in the deepest parts of the ocean and live all over the globe, except the poles.

Animals are categorized into specific classifications. For example, dolphins are part of the order cetacea, members of the family delphinidae and are composed over 32 different species.

The DNA evidence from the giant squid suggests the giant squid roams the Earth's oceans but does not mingle with any other squid species except it's own.

Tom Gilbert is one of the researchers from the University of Copenhagen. Gilbert told Live Science, "The results are extremely surprising." Gilbert also called the results of the DNA tests "amazing" because the giant squid can vary in form and lives in a wide variety of locations.

The giant squid can grow up to 60 feet long and prey on fish and other squid. Their most common predator is the sperm whale.

Until 2004, when the first footage of the giant squid was captured, the animal was thought of mainly as a myth. The giant squid was considered a deep dwelling monster that wanted nothing more than to sink ships.

The most famous giant squid myth is The Kraken. The Kraken was thought to stalk sailors out at sea. It would come up from the depths and use its large tentacles to drag its helpless victims to the bottom of the ocean.

The writer Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote a sonnet about the giant squid in 1830.

"Below the thunders of the upper deep;
Far, far beneath in the abysmal sea,
His ancient, dreamless, uninvaded sleep
The Kraken sleepeth: faintest sunlights flee
About his shadowy sides: above him swell
Huge sponges of millennial growth and height;
And far away into the sickly light,
From many a wondrous grot and secret cell
Unnumbered and enormous polypi
Winnow with giant arms the slumbering green.
There hath he lain for ages and will lie
Battening upon huge sea-worms in his sleep,
Until the latter fire shall heat the deep;
Then once by man and angels to be seen,
In roaring he shall rise and on the surface die."