Gonatus antarcticus explained

Gonatus antarcticus is a squid in the family Gonatidae. The species is known with certainty only from southern Atlantic waters but it may have a circum-Antarctic distribution.^{[1] [2]}

Distribution

G. antarcticus occurs in waters of the Southern Ocean. Its range may be circumpolar with an Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic distribution.^{[3] [2]}

Ecology

This squid is eaten by several predators in the Southern Ocean, like Albatrosses, Sperm whales, Seals and Penguins.

Based on stable isotopes analysis, this squid may be a top predator on its natural habitat.^{[3] [4]}

Notes and References

1. Kubodera, T. (2006). Gonatus antarcticus Lönnberg 1898. Tree of Life Web Project.
2. Xavier, J.C. & Rodhouse, P.G. & Trathan, P.N. & Wood, A.G. 1999. A Geographical Information System (GIS) Atlas of cephalopod distribution in the Southern Ocean. Antarctic Science, Published online on May 6, 2004
3. Guerreiro, Miguel & Phillips, Richard A & Cherel, Yves & Ceia, Filipe R & Alvito, Pedro & Rosa, Rui & Xavier, José C. 2015. Habitat and trophic ecology of Southern Ocean cephalopods from stable isotope analyses. Marine Ecology Progress Series, published online on June 18, 2015.
4. Cherel, Y & Ducatez, S & Fontaine, C & Richard, P & Guinet, C. 2008. Stable isotopes reveal the trophic position and mesopelagic fish diet of female southern elephant seals breeding on the Kerguelen Islands.Marine Ecology Progress Series, published online on October 28, 2008.