On regeneration of the tentacular arm of the giant squid Architeuthis dux Steenstrup (Decapoda, Architeuthidae)

Abstract

The first specimen of giant squid studied from Newfoundland waters in 29 years, here identified as Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, was found to demonstrate regeneration of the terminal or club portion of the left tentacular arm. The regenerated club differed in length and width, and in the size and pattern of suckers, when compared with the normal tentacular arm. The process, as interpreted, is compared with the few references to regeneration in other species of decapod cephalopods found in the literature. It is stressed that this regeneration does not comply with Mathilda Lange's (1920) concept of regeneration in decapods by compensatory regulation.