to have been cultured for more than one generation. It is remarkable for its ability to readily adapt to being confined in tanks, and is one of the few squid species of which the entire life span has been observed under laboratory conditions. Bigfin reef squids are also valuable sources for squid giant axons used in research in neuroscience and physiology. Unlike axons of other animals, squid axons are very large. Those of bigfin reef squids can range in diameter from 350 to 560 μm (in contrast to the typical 1 μm for humans). In life, these giant axons are used by the squids to coordinate escape jetting behaviour, enabling the squid to contract its muscles in a split second directly from the brain. Global warming Bigfin reef squids adapt to warmer temperatures by laying more eggs, making them a good indicator species for climate change. In conjunction with their rapid growth rates and short lifespans, bigfin reef squid populations may rise dramatically in response to global warming. Overfishing may also play an important role. In the Gulf of Thailand, the fishing industry has been forced to adapt to the large numbers of bigfin reef squids now present in the area, believed to be the result of overfishing of the squid's natural predators. The Australian scientist George Jackson describes them as "the weeds of the sea." Warmer waters may also accelerate the squid's expansion into areas in which it was not previously native. Its recent discovery as a Lessepsian migrant in the Mediterranean Sea may be an example. See also Caribbean reef squid Aquaculture Underwater camouflage and mimicry Animal colouration References External links A video of bigfin reef squids spawning from YouTube.com Squid Molluscs of the Indian Ocean Molluscs of the Mediterranean Sea Molluscs of the Pacific Ocean Molluscs of Oceania Marine molluscs of Asia Cephalopods of Australia Fauna of Southeast Asia Cenozoic cephalopods Pliocene molluscs Cephalopods described in 1831 Taxa named by André Étienne d'Audebert de Férussac Edible molluscs Articles containing video clips