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In zoology, 'deep-sea gigantism', also known as 'abyssal gigantism', is the tendency for species of crustaceans, invertebrates and other deep-sea dwelling animals to display a larger size than their shallow-water counterparts. Examples of this phenomenon include the king of herrings (an oarfish of up to 11 m), giant squid (up to 13 m) and the Colossal Squid, which is estimated to grow up to 14 m in length.
It is not known whether this effect comes about as a result of adaptation for scarcer food resources (therefore delaying sexual maturity and resulting in greater size), greater pressure, or for other reasons. David Attenborough's ''The Blue Planet'' series posited that larger specimens do well in the abyssal environment due to the advantages in body temperature regulation and a diminished need for constant activity, both inherent in organisms with a lower surface area to mass ratio.
One example for which scientists do have an explanation is the giant tube worm. These creatures live off hydrothermal vents, which supply them with enormous amounts of energy.

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See also

See also

★ Insular dwarfism

★ Island gigantism

★ Largest organisms