A terrifying "vampire" predator that prowled the oceans of Earth for over 160 million years most likely did consume its prey.
Vampyronassa rhodanica, a small cephalopod- a mollusk, that is connected to modern vampire squids but is neither a vampire nor a squid, has fossils that have been preserved exceedingly well, and a recent analysis of these fossils has demonstrated the existence of muscular suckers, which the creature probably used to trap and manipulate prey.
Vampire Squid
Will Turner/Unsplash
The animal's modern relatives, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, on the other hand, have suckers that appear to be largely ineffective and use sticky cells on a pair of thread-like tentacles to accumulate drifting flakes of organic material, as per Science Alert.
According to Alison Rowe, French paleontologist of Sorbonne University and the leader of the group of researchers, the distinction in trophic niches between the two taxa is consistent with the idea that these forms divided up in coastal water conditions preceding the looks of adaptive responses in the Oligocene, resulting to their modern deep-sea mode of life.
Cephalopods, which are mushy animals, are relatively rare in the geologic record.
Fossil evidence, especially good ones, is extremely uncommon because soft tissues don't decompose naturally as quickly or effectively as bones do.
Rowe and her associates were able to examine three V. rhodanica fossil evidence from a sedimentary deposit in La Voulte-sur-Rhône, France, that dates back more than 160 million years, proving that rarely doesn't necessarily mean nonexistent.
Soft tissue fossil evidence in particular is remarkably well preserved in this single category with a very fine sedimentary fossil bed.
Even soft tissue that has been preserved in that way is not simple to understand.
Rowe and her group transported the fossil evidence to the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France for non-invasive 3D imaging to comprehend the anatomy of V. rhodanica.
The scan results among V. rhodanica and V. infernalis, the only remaining member of a Vampyromorph order, showed some intriguing distinctions.
Both have oval bodies surrounded by two tiny fins, and the former is only 10 cm in length or 4 inches long.
Both also have cirri, or small fleshy protrusions, coming from their arms.
However, none of the fossils of V. rhodanica showed evidence of a thread-like food trap; instead, they all showed an elongated set of arms with an unusual configuration of suckers.
According to Rowe, they think that V. rhodanica had enhanced suction and sensory possibility over the modern form due to the morphology and placing of its suckers, as well as cirri in the distinguishable arm crown, which assisted it to modify and retain prey.
With more responsive sensory organs and the capacity to catch prey, V. rhodanica thus possesses the tools necessary to become an active predator in the oceanic seas.
The vampire squid does have an intimidating appearance despite its small size, which gave it its unusual name.
Although the term "vampire squid" alone will make you shiver, the animal's scientific term is far more intriguing, as per American oceans.
The name of the squid, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, translates literally to "the vampire squid from hell."
Particularly, the vampire squid's skin is recognizable. The squid is in a dark color, generally ranging from light red to black, like the dark shades frequently associated with vampires.
Vampire squid has a distinctive webbing among their arms in addition to their color. On the base part of the squid, the excess skin forms a shape resembling a vampire cloak.
This cloak serves to both protect the squid and link them to their name. For instance, when attacked, vampire squid often encloses themselves in their arms.
The cloak's dual functions of protection and concealment are applicable here. The vampire squid can merge in with the murky water because the inside of its cloak is black.
The webbing also enlarges the squid once it is turned inside out and reveals harmless-looking but dangerous spines.
Despite their frighteningly vampire-like appearance, squid is not actual predators.
As was already mentioned, the squid can defend itself and flee from predators thanks to these physical features.
Deep-sea fishes, and marine mammals like whales and sea lions, recognized vampire squid predators.
Vampire squid feeds themselves on remnants and dead organisms.
With the help of tiny hairs on their eating filaments, squid can detect their food. Once caught, the detritus is blended with mucus that will help them to create balls of food.
