The squid of the species Muusoctopus robustus thrives in the cold and deep waters of the Pacific Ocean. But when it’s time to mate and lay eggs, the females head to hot springs on the bottom of the sea.
Warm water protects the eggs
Deep-sea ecologist James Barry at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute has, together with a large group of researchers, done underwater observations of the huge octopus colony “Octopus Garden” which is located at a depth of 3200 meters off the coast of California. They have estimated that 20,000 squid have congregated there along the hot springs.
– Our conclusion is that the octopuses get an enormous reproductive advantage from the heated water. The heat accelerates the development of the embryos so that the females can incubate the eggs for a significantly shorter time than otherwise, he says.
Vulnerable to predators and infections
The expedition’s measurements show that the water temperature in the crevasses along the hot springs is around five degrees. Squid eggs that are incubated there are fully developed after 1.8 years, which is a short time for animals in the ocean depths. Beyond the hot springs, the water temperature is several degrees lower, and there it takes five to ten years for squid eggs to develop, according to James Barry,
That is a very long time for the eggs, which are vulnerable to both predators and infections.
Discovered just five years ago
The very first squid colony near deep-sea hot springs was discovered ten years ago off the coast of Costa Rica. The Octopus Garden was discovered in 2018 and James Barry believes there are many more to discover.
– The deep seas play a big role for life on our planet and we need to know more about them. We need to know where these very special habitats are so we can protect them, he says.