Hi Damien,
I understand now that you are doing a science project on squids. The questions you have asked are part of the background research you should do to find out as much as you can about your topic. Although, I am definitely not an expert in squids, I will try to answer your questions and give you some advice on your project.
(1) Are their any squids around Guam? if so how many species are their?
I am hoping your expert at University of Guam will get back to you on this question because I don’t know. I’m sure there are several species of squid, because there are more than 300 different types of squid found in the world, all living in the oceans. So there are probably many species that live in the waters close to you.
(2) do all squids look alike ? All squids have the same basic anatomy. Here is the basic description from the Wikipedia website I sent yesterday:
Like all other cephalopods, squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, a mantle, and arms. Squid, like cuttlefish, have eight arms and two longer tentacles arranged in pairs. The ancestral shell has been lost, with only an internal gladius, or pen, remaining. The pen is a feather-shaped internal structure which supports the squid's mantle and serves as a site for muscle attachment. It is made of a chitin-like substance.
The main body mass is enclosed in the mantle, which has a swimming fin along each side. These fins, unlike in other marine organisms, are not the main source of locomotion in most species.
The skin is covered in chromatophores, which enable the squid to change color to suit its surroundings, making it effectively invisible. The underside is also almost always lighter than the topside, to provide camouflage from both prey and predator.
However, there are 300 different species of squid, and all of these have a different appearance and size.
(3) Are sqiuds smart ?Do they have brains?
Squids and other cephalopods are considered the most intelligent invertebrates and the following website gives examples of their intelligence and social skills;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cephalopod_intelligence
(4)Why are they called Mollusks? Molluscs include a very large number (93,000) of invertebrate included is a phylum called Mollusca. All Molluscs have a structure called a mantle, which has a large cavity for breathing and a typical nervous system. Squids do not have a hard external shell like most molluscs. Here is more information on this phylum:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mollusca
(5) Why do fisherman use squid for bait? Squid make good bait because squid are the natural food source for many fish. The squid on the fisherman’s hook looks like normal food to the fish. Also, fishermen always use bait that works for them.
(6) How are squids eyes similar to,humans ? Squid eyes superficially resemble human eyes, but have a hard lens, so the squid can respond to movement rather than focus on an object. Here’s more information:
http://www.tonmo.com/forums/showthread. ... -evolution
(7) How does the squid make ink ,when in danger? Squid ink contains a molecule called melanin. The ink gland is found in the posterior portion of the caecum and is contained in a sac called a diverticulum. The ink gland can produce a suspension of melanin that can be expelled through the mantle cavity whenever the squid is disturbed by predators. When released, the squid ink hides the squid, allowing it to escape.
(8) Do squids have senses ? Squids have eyes and can see; they have a nervous system and they have a well developed sense of smell, taste, and touch.
http://tolweb.org/treehouses/?treehouse_id=3192
(9)Do they live in schools,like fishes? Squids are known to associate with other squid in swarms, probably to cooperate in hunting.
(10) What do you like about squids?
I hope the expert at University of Guam can help with this question also, and explain why it is important to study squids. Perhaps you can resend just the first and last of your questions and see if you can get an answer.
Now, what are you going to do for your project? For a science project, you need to ask a question that can be answered by doing an experiment. I know you are interested in doing a project on the squid ink. What is your question for your project? And, do you have a hypothesis yet? Please let me know if you have any questions on this part of the experiment.
Donna Hardy
