Martialia


Martialia is a genus of flying squids in the family Ommastrephidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Martialia hyadesii, commonly known as the sevenstar flying squid. It has a maximum mantle length of 400 mm, although it is typically 350 mm, with a body weighing up to 820 g.

Distribution

M. hyadesii occurs in epipelagic and mesopelagic waters of the Southern Ocean. Its range may be circumpolar with a Sub-Antarctic distribution.

Ecology

These large squid are known to prey upon deep-sea ridgeheads and other mesopelagic fish, and to be preyed upon in turn by seals, king penguins and albatrosses.