Squid species Pholidoteuthis adami mating Gulf of Mexico, April 13, 2012

A pair of mating Pholidoteuthis adami observed by ROV Little Hercules on April 13 2012 at a depth of 1400 m and at ° N, ° W during an expedition by NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The male is upside down, and backwards on top of the female and the terminal organ is extending from his funnel, presumably releasing spermatophores, from which spermatangia burrow into the dorsal mantle tissue of the female. Video courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program http://smithsonia