{"product_id":"nanaimoteuthis-megapterygius","title":"Nanaimoteuthis \/ Megapterygius","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"781\" data-start=\"94\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"121\" data-start=\"94\"\u003eNanaimoteuthis haggarti\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eis a gigantic extinct cephalopod belonging to the \u003cstrong data-end=\"207\" data-start=\"188\"\u003ecirrate octopuses\u003c\/strong\u003e (order Cirrata), a lineage related to modern \"Dumbo\" deep-sea octopuses, although enormously more specialized and colossal in size. It lived during the \u003cstrong data-end=\"397\" data-start=\"375\"\u003eLate Cretaceous\u003c\/strong\u003e, approximately \u003cstrong data-end=\"455\" data-start=\"421\"\u003e86 to 72 million years ago\u003c\/strong\u003e, in North Pacific seas that covered regions of modern-day \u003cstrong data-end=\"537\" data-start=\"517\"\u003eJapan (Hokkaido)\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-end=\"570\" data-start=\"540\"\u003eCanada (Vancouver Island)\u003c\/strong\u003e. It was taxonomically redefined in 2026 after a massive revision of fossilized jaws (\"beaks\"), which reorganized old materials previously attributed to other genera. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"837\" data-start=\"783\" data-section-id=\"3w2bca\"\u003eSize: possibly the largest octopus in history\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"936\" data-start=\"839\"\u003eThe most spectacular—and controversial—aspect of \u003cem data-end=\"913\" data-start=\"888\"\u003eNanaimoteuthis haggarti\u003c\/em\u003e is its estimated size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1162\" data-start=\"938\"\u003eBiometric reconstructions performed in the study published in \u003cem data-end=\"1018\" data-start=\"1009\"\u003eScience\u003c\/em\u003e extrapolated body size from the relationship between the \u003cstrong data-end=\"1103\" data-start=\"1084\"\u003emandibular beak\u003c\/strong\u003e and the body of modern octopuses. Estimates suggest:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"1471\" data-start=\"1164\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1219\" data-start=\"1164\" data-section-id=\"142jv8w\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1185\" data-start=\"1166\"\u003eTotal length:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately \u003cstrong data-end=\"1219\" data-start=\"1202\"\u003e6.6–19 meters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1313\" data-start=\"1220\" data-section-id=\"h4os6f\"\u003eSome individuals may have rivaled or surpassed the modern giant squid (\u003cem data-end=\"1311\" data-start=\"1297\"\u003eArchiteuthis\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1471\" data-start=\"1314\" data-section-id=\"xk4vuj\"\u003eThe largest known beak is approximately \u003cstrong data-end=\"1382\" data-start=\"1358\"\u003e1.5 times larger\u003c\/strong\u003e than that of the largest modern giant squids. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1898\" data-start=\"1473\"\u003eHowever, caution is important: the upper range (~19 m) remains \u003cstrong data-end=\"1566\" data-start=\"1554\"\u003edebated\u003c\/strong\u003e, because the animal is only known from fossil jaws and not from complete skeletons or body impressions. Several paleontologists have pointed out that this could be an overestimation derived from extrapolating proportions of current species that may not have been anatomically equivalent. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1966\" data-start=\"1900\" data-section-id=\"fhuyt1\"\u003eInferred Anatomy: a realistic \"kraken,\" not a giant squid\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2070\" data-start=\"1968\"\u003eAlthough its body has not been preserved, comparisons with modern vampyromorphs suggest an animal with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2340\" data-start=\"2072\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2110\" data-start=\"2072\" data-section-id=\"17ng16e\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2109\" data-start=\"2074\"\u003eEight long, muscular arms\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2163\" data-start=\"2111\" data-section-id=\"e100ta\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2143\" data-start=\"2113\"\u003eMembranes between the arms\u003c\/strong\u003e (umbrella webbing).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2234\" data-start=\"2164\" data-section-id=\"ei98sj\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2195\" data-start=\"2166\"\u003eDorsal lateral fins\u003c\/strong\u003e, similar to modern cirrate octopuses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2286\" data-start=\"2235\" data-section-id=\"igoh9c\"\u003eRelatively soft but voluminous body.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2340\" data-start=\"2287\" data-section-id=\"143slqj\"\u003eA \u003cstrong data-end=\"2339\" data-start=\"2292\"\u003ehuge and extremely robust horny beak\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2641\" data-start=\"2342\"\u003eUnlike a modern giant squid, it probably did not have long capture tentacles; it would be anatomically more similar to a huge \u003cstrong data-end=\"2523\" data-start=\"2485\"\u003ehypertrophied deep-sea octopus\u003c\/strong\u003e, with locomotion based on mantle pulses and coordinated arm movements. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2698\" data-start=\"2643\" data-section-id=\"s5owc3\"\u003eJaw and feeding: a destructive predator\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2949\" data-start=\"2700\"\u003eThe main fossil material consists of \u003cstrong data-end=\"2769\" data-start=\"2732\"\u003e27 fossilized jaw beaks\u003c\/strong\u003e found in Japan and Canada. The study found something extraordinary: adult jaws show \u003cstrong data-end=\"2894\" data-start=\"2874\"\u003eextreme wear\u003c\/strong\u003e, greater than that of any known modern cephalopod.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2965\" data-start=\"2951\"\u003eThe following were observed:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"3095\" data-start=\"2967\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2984\" data-start=\"2967\" data-section-id=\"iq4tlb\"\u003eChipping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3002\" data-start=\"2985\" data-section-id=\"1984wsr\"\u003eMicrofractures.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3042\" data-start=\"3003\" data-section-id=\"wpi5y6\"\u003eEdges rounded by intensive use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3095\" data-start=\"3043\" data-section-id=\"1p5d7c8\"\u003eWear of up to \u003cstrong data-end=\"3094\" data-start=\"3063\"\u003e10% of the beak length\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3222\" data-start=\"3097\"\u003eThis suggests that \u003cem data-end=\"3127\" data-start=\"3114\"\u003eN. haggarti\u003c\/em\u003e consumed relatively resistant prey and not just soft-bodied organisms. This probably included:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"3412\" data-start=\"3224\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3246\" data-start=\"3224\" data-section-id=\"1p03fx3\"\u003eLarge bony fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3261\" data-start=\"3247\" data-section-id=\"2gzd27\"\u003eCephalopods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3281\" data-start=\"3262\" data-section-id=\"o9mla9\"\u003eHard crustaceans.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3293\" data-start=\"3282\" data-section-id=\"dvmeao\"\u003eAmmonites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3313\" data-start=\"3294\" data-section-id=\"1juqdis\"\u003eLarge bivalves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3412\" data-start=\"3314\" data-section-id=\"1aa0m8p\"\u003ePossibly juvenile marine vertebrates or bone carrion. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"3450\" data-start=\"3414\" data-section-id=\"1rupxe0\"\u003eApex predator of the Cretaceous?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3606\" data-start=\"3452\"\u003eThe most revolutionary hypothesis of the study proposes that \u003cem data-end=\"3533\" data-start=\"3508\"\u003eNanaimoteuthis haggarti\u003c\/em\u003e may have been an \u003cstrong data-end=\"3573\" data-start=\"3553\"\u003eapex predator\u003c\/strong\u003e, ecologically rivaling:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"3722\" data-start=\"3608\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3647\" data-start=\"3608\" data-section-id=\"btvcid\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eMosasaurus hoffmannii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3663\" data-start=\"3648\" data-section-id=\"y8oux0\"\u003eplesiosaurs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3697\" data-start=\"3664\" data-section-id=\"htnt0l\"\u003elarge Cretaceous sharks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3722\" data-start=\"3698\" data-section-id=\"6bv9nc\"\u003eother marine reptiles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4099\" data-start=\"3724\"\u003eThis challenges the classic view of Mesozoic seas as ecosystems dominated exclusively by giant vertebrates. Some external researchers consider this hypothesis plausible, while others believe it is still premature to assert that it regularly hunted large marine reptiles based solely on fossil jaws. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"4134\" data-start=\"4101\" data-section-id=\"15s7ea5\"\u003eIntelligence and lateralization\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4277\" data-start=\"4136\"\u003eA particularly interesting finding is that the beaks exhibit \u003cstrong data-end=\"4236\" data-start=\"4201\"\u003econsistent asymmetrical wear\u003c\/strong\u003e, with one side more eroded than the other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4299\" data-start=\"4279\"\u003eThis could indicate:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"4426\" data-start=\"4301\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4355\" data-start=\"4301\" data-section-id=\"1n0zm4i\"\u003eLateral functional preference (\"right-handed\" or \"left-handed\").\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4391\" data-start=\"4356\" data-section-id=\"11w35xu\"\u003eComplex predatory coordination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4426\" data-start=\"4392\" data-section-id=\"1owz0jm\"\u003ePossible brain lateralization.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4634\" data-start=\"4428\"\u003eThis is a trait observed in highly intelligent modern octopuses, although the authors emphasize that \u003cstrong data-end=\"4595\" data-start=\"4525\"\u003eintelligence cannot be directly demonstrated from fossils\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"4653\" data-start=\"4636\" data-section-id=\"1stsqoc\"\u003ePaleoenvironment\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4845\" data-start=\"4655\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"4680\" data-start=\"4655\"\u003eNanaimoteuthis haggarti\u003c\/em\u003e inhabited \u003cstrong data-end=\"4734\" data-start=\"4688\"\u003erelatively open and productive seas\u003c\/strong\u003e, not necessarily deep ocean abysses like many modern cirrate octopuses. It shared an ecosystem with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"4931\" data-start=\"4847\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4860\" data-start=\"4847\" data-section-id=\"4cll20\"\u003emosasaurs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4876\" data-start=\"4861\" data-section-id=\"y8oux0\"\u003eplesiosaurs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4902\" data-start=\"4877\" data-section-id=\"buw7t9\"\u003eCretaceous sharks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4919\" data-start=\"4903\" data-section-id=\"10hswss\"\u003egiant fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"4931\" data-start=\"4920\" data-section-id=\"orthkz\"\u003eammonites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"5172\" data-start=\"4933\"\u003eThe North Pacific oceans of the Cretaceous were extremely rich ecosystems, with complex food webs where this enormous cephalopod may have occupied an unexpectedly dominant ecological niche.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate diorama measurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1:35 scale Complete\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength 237 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight 176 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth 179 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Dino and Dog","offers":[{"title":"1:35 \/ Unprimed","offer_id":54815362613516,"sku":"DC-1418-135-SINI","price":133.8,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Primed","offer_id":54815362646284,"sku":"DC-1418-135-IMPRI","price":145.8,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Hand-painted","offer_id":54815362679052,"sku":"DC-1418-135-PINTA","price":303.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/1106\/7660\/files\/Nanaimoteuthis_1.jpg?v=1780425957","url":"https:\/\/dinosauriacreatures.com\/en\/products\/nanaimoteuthis-megapterygius","provider":"Dinosauria Creatures","version":"1.0","type":"link"}