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Well-armed for Life

Researchers found this six-inch squid, called Histioteuthis sp., at about 1,000 meters (3,000 feet), where almost no sunlight penetrates. Adapted to midwater life, it has spots that let it change color (chromatophores), light-producing organs, and two different-sized eyes. WHOI scientists took part in a voyage in April 2006 to sample animal plankton such as this and sequence their genes at sea to “barcode” them for future identification. (Photo by Laurence Madin, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)