[Published]: Evidence for direct use of terminal organ for spermatophore transfer in giant squid, Architeuthis dux

[Octobot]

During mating, males of most cephalopods use a modified arm, known as a hectocotylus, to transfer spermatophores into the female. However, a long-standing enigma has been whether some deep-sea squids use a terminal organ (TO), similar to a penis, for direct spermatophore transfer, as suggested by anatomical observations. Here, we present evidence supporting this hypothesis in the giant squid, Architeuthis dux . Two male squids in the moribund condition were discovered in shallow water, with...

MicroPubl Biol. 2025 Apr 4;2025. doi: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001476. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

During mating, males of most cephalopods use a modified arm, known as a hectocotylus, to transfer spermatophores into the female. However, a long-standing enigma has been whether some deep-sea squids use a terminal organ (TO), similar to a penis, for direct spermatophore transfer, as suggested by anatomical observations. Here, we present evidence supporting this hypothesis in the giant squid, Architeuthis dux . Two male squids in the moribund condition were discovered in shallow water, with their TOs passing through their own funnels and being able of active movement, a behavior previously observed in Pholidoteuthis adami in deep water.

PMID:40255250 | PMC:PMC12008749 | DOI:10.17912/micropub.biology.001476

Seiji Sasai, Yoshiaki Tanaka, Noritaka Hirohashi

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