Paralarval Lyre Cranch Squid (Bathothauma lyromma), Gulf of Mexico

The Lyre Cranch Squid (Bathothauma lyromma) can attain a mantle length up to 10cm as a paralarva – this one is ~ 3cm. Adults will attain a mantle length closer to 20cm. The long eye stalks and widely separated fins are two diagnostic characteristic of this paralarval form. The species is found around the globe in tropical and subtropical waters – typicall found, from 200—1,200m depth (656 — 3,937 feet). All of this is part of the DEEPEND-RESTORE Project (www.deependconsortium.org). All the work has been done out on the RV Point Sur with an amazing captain and crew. A big thanks to CSA and Gray Lawson for management of the MOCNESS system. My participation is by way of the Center for Conservation & Research, San Antonio Zoo.