Although they look different from each other, evidence suggests that they share a common ancestor.
The South China Sea is renowned for its diverse marine ecosystems that have remained largely unexplored.
Many researchers believe that the body of water provides the ideal conditions for creatures like vampire squids to thrive.
Not much is known about deep-sea creatures as they rarely surface from the water. The vampire squids will help researchers understand deep-sea environments better and how organisms adapt to them.
The squids’ presence in the South China Sea also highlights the need for improved conservation and sustainability practices to maintain the overall health of marine life.
You can read the study in BioRxiv here.