Squid Dissection

Teuthida (Squid) Dissection

Background Information (Jordan)

• Habitat: Typically, most squid reside in marine environments, but some are known to reside in freshwater environments. Some species prefer warmer waters, others colder waters, all at a variety of different depths. The larger the squid, the higher the depths that it resides in. Giant and Colossal squid live very close to the bottom of the ocean. Squid are most commonly found in the North Atlantic regions, as well as offshore California, Hawaii, and the Gulf of Mexico. However, squid have been known to reside in the North Pacific, the Sea of Japan, and the Bering Sea.
• Diet: Squid often prey on crabs, small fish, squid smaller than themselves, and many varieties of shrimp. Squid capture prey using the suctioning parts of their tentacles, and use their beaks and razor-sharp tongues to grind the prey down into smaller pieces while they are still alive.
• Respiratory System: The respiratory mechanisms of the squid are tied to its locomotion. Squid move by collecting water in its mantle, and pushing it out to shoot themselves through the water. Squid do not have traditional gills, and instead have gill-like leaflets called lamellae. When the squid pumps water into and out of its mantle, its lamellae become oxygenated and provide the squid with this resource.
• Fun facts: Squid exhibit sexual dimorphism, but unlike humans female squid at a mature age are larger than their male counterparts. Squid also have large brains in comparison to their body size, making them rather intelligent creatures.

Anatomy (First Picture Trejo, Second Picture Jordan)

Incision Guide (Jordan)

Resources (Jordan)

Habitat: http://www.squid-world.com/squid-habitat/

Diet: http://www.squid-world.com/squid-feeding/

Respiratory System: http://tolweb.org/treehouses/?treehouse_id=4225

Fun facts: http://www.10-facts-about.com/squids/id/1063

Dissection Procedure Video (Jason)
Pictures taken and dissection procedure performed by Trejo and Jason