Master the External Anatomy of Squids

External Anatomy Tour of Male and Female Squids

• Squids have chromatophores, specialized pigment cells responsible for color changes for camouflage, communication, and defense.
• Squids belong to the cephalopod group, which means "head foot."
• The ventral region is where the fins are located, while the dorsal region is opposite to it.
• The siphon is on the posterior side, which is a multi-purpose funnel for water, ink, and gametes.
• Squids have ten appendages, two long tentacles, and eight short arms with suckers used to grasp prey.
• The mouth and beak are located inside the arms.
• Gills, responsible for gas exchange, attach to the heart, which consists of three sections, including the bronchial and systemic heart.
• The ink sac produces ink and has a funnel that releases it through the siphon.
• The stomach and cecum are involved in food digestion, while the rectum and anus eject waste through the siphon.
• Male squids have testes for sperm production, a vas deferens that carries sperm through the penis, and out the siphon.
• The pen, made of chitin, provides support, with other hardened areas of cartilage.
• Female squids have mid-mentally glands that create a secretion that covers the egg masses before they are ejected through the siphon to develop into larvae.