Editing Squid (section)

{{short description|Superorder of cephalopod molluscs}}
{{about|cephalopods|other uses}}
{{good article}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Paraphyletic group
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range | Early Cretaceous | Recent | refs = }}
| image = Sepioteuthis sepioidea (Caribbean Reef Squid).jpg
| image_alt = Caribbean reef squid ("Sepioteuthis sepioidea")
| image_caption = [[Caribbean reef squid]] (''Sepioteuthis sepioidea'')
| display_parents = 2
| auto = yes
| parent = Decapodiformes
<!-- | taxon = Decapodiformes | authority = [[William Elford Leach|Leach]], 1817<ref name=tolweb>Young, R. E., Vecchione, M., Mangold, K. M. (2008). [http://tolweb.org/Decapodiformes/ Decapodiformes Leach, 1817. Squids, cuttlefishes and their relatives]. in The [[Tree of Life Web Project]]</ref>
| synonyms = *Decembrachiata <small>[[Ronald Winckworth|Winckworth]], 1932</small>
| synonyms_ref =  -->
|includes =
:[[Myopsida]]
:[[Oegopsida]] <small>[[Alcide d'Orbigny|d'Orbigny]], 1845</small>
:[[Bathyteuthida]]
|includes_ref = <ref>MolluscaBase eds. (2022). MolluscaBase. Decapodiformes. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=325342 on 2022-05-09</ref>
|excludes =
:[[Sepiolida]]
:[[Sepiidae]]?
:[[Spirulida]]?
}}

A '''squid''' ({{plural form}}: squid) is a [[mollusc]] with an elongated soft body, large eyes, eight [[cephalopod limb|arms]], and two [[tentacle]]s in the orders [[Myopsida]], [[Oegopsida]], and [[Bathyteuthida]] (though many other molluscs within the broader [[Neocoleoidea]] are also called ''squid'' despite not strictly fitting these criteria). Like all other [[cephalopods]], squid have a distinct head, [[Symmetry (biology)#Bilateral symmetry|bilateral symmetry]], and a [[mantle (mollusc)|mantle]]. They are mainly soft-bodied, like [[octopus]]es, but have a small internal skeleton in the form of a rod-like [[gladius (cephalopod)|gladius]] or pen, made of [[chitin]].

Squid diverged from other cephalopods during the [[Jurassic]] and occupy a similar [[Ecological niche|role]] to [[teleost]] fish as open-water [[predator]]s of similar size and behaviour. They play an important role in the open-water food web. The two long tentacles are used to grab prey and the eight arms to hold and control it. The beak then cuts the food into suitable size chunks for swallowing. Squid are rapid swimmers, moving by [[Aquatic locomotion#Jet propulsion|jet propulsion]], and largely locate their prey by sight. They are among the most intelligent of [[invertebrates]], with groups of [[Humboldt squid]] having been observed [[Pack hunter|hunting cooperatively]]. They are preyed on by [[shark]]s, other fish, sea birds, [[Pinniped|seals]] and [[cetacea]]ns, particularly [[sperm whale]]s.

Squid can change colour for [[camouflage]] and [[Signalling theory|signalling]]. Some species are [[bioluminescent]], using their light for [[counter-illumination]] camouflage, while many species can eject a cloud of [[cephalopod ink|ink]] to distract predators.

Squid are used for human consumption with commercial fisheries in Japan, the Mediterranean, the southwestern Atlantic, the eastern Pacific and elsewhere. They are used in cuisines around the world, often known as "[[Squid as food|calamari]]". Squid have featured in literature since classical times, especially in tales of giant squid and [[sea monster]]s.