BATHYPELAGIC SQUID BATHYTEUTHIS 189 



(1910), and finally by Dell (1959). Dell gives the distribution of the 

 species in the Antarctic as between 40°E and 143°E in 750-1710 m. The 

 geographic range is now extended in Antarctic water throughout the 

 range covered by the Eltamn from about 25° W to 160°W, and it un- 

 doubtedly extends throughout the entire Circumpolar Water Mass. 

 Through Cruise 15 a total of 349 specimens of C. glacialls was taken, 

 231 by 3-meter IKMT and the remainder by other gear, principally 

 the 1-meter IKMT. It is second to B. ahyssicola in abundance in Ant- 

 arctic waters. Table XVIII gives the breakdown of captures by 250 

 m depth increments. A total of 598 specimens of B. ahyssicola was cap- 

 tured during the same period, mostly by 3-meter IKMTs (Table 

 XVII). Therefore, in total nmnbers, B. ahyssicola is about 1.7 times 

 more common than C. glacialls, and in midwater trawl-hauls it is about 

 2.5 times more abundant. 



Table XVIl. — The composition of the sample population of Bathyteuthis ahyssi- 

 cola Hoyle, 1885, by 250 m increments; success of trawl hauls and average catches 



598 336 134 



Vertical distribution is plotted on the graph (fig. 72) and presented 

 in Table XVIII. The bulk of the sample population is concentrated 

 between 500 and 1000 m where about 57% of the specimens occur. 

 Nearly 69% live between 250 m and 1250 m. Below 1000 m a sharp de- 

 crease in number exists and about an equal number of specimens oc- 

 curs in the remaining depth increments, making it difficult to estab- 

 lish the lower depth limit. It could be as deep as 2000-2500 m, but 

 probably the limit is much shallower, perhaps around 1000-1500 m 



