![]() ![]() This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. ![]() The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 37: 235-248 Guzik MT, Norman, MD, Crozier R (2005) Molecular phylogeny of the benthic shallow-water octopuses (Cephalopoda: Octopodinae). A visual, scientific guide to the oceans’ most advanced invertebrates. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 209:15-31. 2 nd editionįorsythe JW, Hanlon RT (1997) Foraging and associated behavior by Octopus cyanea Gray, 1849 on a coral atoll, French Polynesia. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of cephalopod species known to date. Julian K Finn (eds)Ĭephalopods of the world. (1999), Hanlon RT and Forsythe JW (2008), Sauer WHH et al. Van Heukelem WF (1983a), Norman MD (1992a), Young RE and Harman RF (1997), Goodman-Lowe GD et al. This illustrates the octopus plays an important role as a keystone reef species- a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend. On coral reefs, the day octopus (and many other octopuses) is important prey for larger predators such as snappers and barracuda. The octopus is grazing on bivalves and shrimps and helping out (indirectly) small groupers. Small groupers follow day octopuses and will feed on small shrimps and fishes that escape the octopus. Foraging is commonly accompanied by 1-4 fishes. ![]() Octopuses have also been observed to terminate their foraging and swim in a “bee line” back to their den, indicating an advanced visual map.ĭuring foraging, the day octopus commonly uses “parachute attacks” where it pounces over a feeding spot and simultaneously spreads the arms and web. ![]() Individual octopuses were observed foraging twice a day, covering an average of 100 m (330 ft) per day, then finding their way back to their den. Spatial memory and navigational skills are also very important in a complex environment with many predators. During a 4-hour forage, the day octopus may change its skin patterning more than 150 times to accomplish camouflage among the coral reef. This species could be dubbed the King of Camouflage. Its camouflage is outstanding since it lives in a complex habitat: coral reefs with high diversity of corals, sponges, and algae and many predators searching for a rich protein meal. This species has a transverse pair of white spots on its dorsal mantle and four large primary papillae in a diamond arrangement on its dorsal mantle and single large papilla over each eye. The day octopus has false eye spots (ocelli) present at the base of its arms that are dark oval patches with no iridescent rings. Most distinguishing body pattern features include 3 to 7 rows of small white spots on the arm tips that are distinct against a dark brown body color. Its color patterns range from uniform white to various mottle patterns to uniform dark brown and it can have short dark bars along all arms. ![]()
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