Neuron Squid

Neuron squids are a species of squid in a family all by itself, neuroteuthidae. This species of squid is remarkable, as it has evolved to lack neurons and a nervous system.

Anatomy

Neuron squids have a soft, cylindrical body, with a pink and white spotted colouration. Adult neuron squids don't grow more than three metres in length, including their tentacles and arms. Neuron squids have eight short arms and two longer tentacles, all equipped with small suckers and hooks, both on every sucker and on the end of each tentacle.

Neuron squids have a pair of large eyes, almost the same width as their bodies. In fact, they have the largest eye-to-body ratio of any animal on the planet.

These squids lack a nervous system. This unusual evolution has no real advantage to the species, and scientists speculate on how they evolved this way.

Reproduction & Growth

Neuron squids produce one long line of eggs that they wrap around floating debris and plant matter. These eggs are self-incubating, as they are lined with cells that absorb heat from the local environment. Infertile eggs are laid on the debris, identified by their blue colouration.

Males will come along and fertilise the eggs one by one, which is a very delicate and time-consuming process. Typically, one male will only fertilise a handful of eggs from a clutch, leaving the rest for other males. This way, there is more genetic diversity in the offspring. The fertilised eggs are an orange colour, and take three weeks to hatch.

Diet

These animals are entirely carnivorous, feeding on a number of other lifeforms. They use their long tentacles to reach out at prey to bring them in, close enough so their arms can rip them to pieces. Neuron squids eat many different creatures, ones no more than around a metre long.

Neuron squids are opportunistic predators, feeding on carcasses and corpses floating in the Outer Ocean. When there are no carcasses around, they will hunt for small prey items such as fish, crustaceans and other invertebrates.

Pests & Hunting

Neuron squids, due to their lack of a nervous system, are the only animal actively hunted by davites. These animals are pests, having expanded their territories into ecosystems where they are not wanted or needed. They have a horrendous impact on life across the planet, and are slowly destroying each and every ecosystem.

Davites are huge advocates for keeping ecosystems balanced and protecting more vulnerable lifeforms. The people of Dave are encouraged to kill these creatures, and they are often eaten.

Scientific Name

Neuroteuthis davite

Lifespan

4 years

Average Length

3 metres

Geographic Distribution

• Dave
• Outer Ocean

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