Nature & Environment

Scientists sequence genome of the elusive 'vampire squid from hell'

By T.K. Randall
December 2, 2025 ·  1 comment

Image: AI-generated (Midjourney) Typically found in the darkest, deepest parts of the planet's tropical oceans, the vampire squid (also known as Vampyroteuthis infernalis) is notable for its large eyes and strange bioluminescent organs.

Despite its name, however, it doesn't actually suck blood - instead, it prefers to feed on organic detritus.

Now, in a renewed effort to learn more about how this peculiar deep-sea denizen originated, scientists have succeeded in sequencing its genome which, with over 11 billion DNA base molecules, is four times larger than the human genome and twice as large as that of any other known cephalopod.

The findings were quite intriguing - suggesting that, despite the vampire squid having 8 arms like an octopus - it also shares genomic features with squids and cuttlefish.In other words, it sits somewhere between these two different lineages.

"The vampire squid sits right at the interface between octopuses and squids," said study senior author Oleg Simakov.

"Its genome reveals deep evolutionary secrets on how two strikingly different lineages could emerge from a shared ancestor."

You can check out a video all about the vampire squid below.


Source: Independent | Comments (1)

Tags: Squid, Ocean