Mystery solved as Florida eyeball likely came from a massive swordfish

Scientists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) believe they have solved the mystery of the giant intact eyeball discovered on a Florida beach last week.

Originally, speculation was that it had belonged to a giant squid. However, Joan Herrera, who is Curator of Collections at FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg, FL, said in a statement today: "Experts on site and remotely have viewed and analyzed the eye, and based on its color, size and structure, along with the presence of bone around it, we believe the eye came from a swordfish."

"Based on straight-line cuts visible around the eye, we believe it was removed by a fisherman and discarded." she added.

[ Related: 'Vampire squid from hell' prefers cast-off food over blood ]

Swordfish are known to reach up to 4.55 metres in length and 650 kg in mass, although most are between a half and a third of that size. With the size of the eye found, this must have been a massive specimen.

Genetic testing will be used to verify the identification.