KOCHI, 21 November 2025: Researchers at the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have identified a new species of deep-sea squid in the Arabian Sea, marking a significant advancement in marine biodiversity studies in Indian waters. The newly described species, Taningia silasii, is only the second confirmed species in the globally rare genus Taningia.
The discovery has been published in the international journal Marine Biodiversity. The specimen was collected from a depth of around 390 metres off the Kollam coast. Measuring 45 cm in dorsal mantle length, the squid belongs to the family Octopoteuthidae, whose adult forms lack tentacles, despite being true squid.
The research was led by Dr. Geetha Sasikumar, Principal Scientist, and Dr. Sajikumar K. K., Technical Officer at CMFRI. “We have been studying cephalopods in the Arabian Sea for more than a decade, and this ‘octopus squid’ was something we had never encountered,” Dr. Sasikumar said. Until now, Taningia danae, largely reported from the Atlantic Ocean, was the only known species in the genus. DNA barcoding confirmed over 11% genetic divergence, establishing the Indian specimen as a distinct species.
Explaining the unique features of the genus, Dr. Sajikumar noted that the squid possesses only eight arms and lacks the two elongated tentacles found in most squid species. “Members of this family can reach impressive sizes—the Atlantic species grows up to 2.3 metres and weighs over 61 kg,” he said.
The species has been named Taningia silasii in honour of renowned marine biologist Dr. E. G. Silas, former Director of CMFRI and former Vice-Chancellor of Kerala Agricultural University, recognised for pioneering cephalopod research in India.
Research scholars Dr. Shijin Ameri and Toji Thomas were part of the discovery team.
Nearly 400 squid species have been documented worldwide, inhabiting ecosystems ranging from coastal shallows to deep-sea trenches. The present finding adds to India’s growing catalogue of oceanic biodiversity and highlights the scientific value of deep-sea exploration in the region.
