FOX News: Deep-sea monsters have surprising DNA

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Deep-sea monsters have surprising DNA Mar 20th 2013, 14:16 Footage captured by NHK and Discovery Channel in July 2012 shows a giant squid in the sea near Chichi island.NHK/NEP/Discovery Channel Footage captured by NHK and Discovery Channel in July 2012 shows a giant squid in the sea near Chichi island.Discovery Channel Footage captured by NHK and Discovery Channel in July 2012 shows a giant squid in the sea near Chichi island.Discovery Channel Next Slide Previous Slide Giant squid, which can grow to an astounding 43 feet long, have equally extraordinary DNA, a new study concludes. The long-awaited report, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, finds that there is "exceptionally low" genetic diversity among giant squid from around the world. "These observations are consistent with the hypotheses that there is only one global species of giant squid, Architeuthis dux," wrote Inger Winkelmann and colleagues, who suggested that the squid could have one of the largest known ranges of any species. NEWS: Giant Squid: Still a Deep Mystery Little is known about giant squid, which can live some 3,300 feet below the surface. Mostly we know about them from fantasy adventure books, like "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," and images of them dead, with their long tentacles dangling far beyond the picture frame. Giant squid are rarely captured alive, with most found stranded on beaches or seen floating dead on the water's surface. Unfortunately, some are also retrieved by fisheries as by-catch . Winkelmann, from the University of Copenhagen's Natural History Museum of Denmark, and colleagues studied the mitochondrial genome of tissue samples from 43 such giant squid. "Mitochondrial" refers to a type of DNA inherited only through the female line. The squid came from all over the world, including waters off of California, Florida, Spain, Japan and New Zealand. Incredibly, all had the same basic mitochondrial genomes. If there is just one giant squid species, as the researchers suspect, then adults must travel huge distances. Younger squid might disperse via drifting. BLOG: Giant Squid Filmed in Pacific Depths Giant squid might also be more plentiful than previously thought. But the lack of genetic diversity could make this species more vulnerable to human impact. Back in the day, fishermen rarely encountered the deep-dwelling squid. Now, with modern trawling equipment and huge fishing operations, the squid are more likely to become by-catch. Pollution and climate change could also hurt the squid, as could loss of their food sources. They are thought to primarily feed on deep sea fish and other, smaller types of squid. Related Stories New video of 'Kraken' in natural habitat released 'Kraken' caught on film at last Asteroid headed toward Earth? 'Pray,' NASA advises Researchers publish full Neanderthal genome

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