Blue Ringed Octopus Research Paper

1131 Words3 Pages

Erin Snyder
November 23, 2015
BIOL 112
Dr. Irish

How does the Blue-ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena Lunulata) Flash its Blue Rings? Journal Article Summary
Introduction
The blue-ringed octopus uses an interesting technique to ward off its predators. Utilizing aposematic coloring (a warning mechanism), this creature can let other animals know to stay away. The tiny cephalopod bears about sixty bright blue rings, appearing as a pattern on its dermal covering. When these rings flash, one can tell that the octopus has been threatened. Although this tropical marine creature may generally be calm, when it is agitated, it can bite with its beak and inject tetrodotoxin into the blood stream. This venom can quickly kill an adult human. Typically, the blue-ringed octopus, or Hapalochlaena Lunulata, resides among rocks and shells on the ocean floor and exhibits a camouflaged appearance (Mathger et al., 2012). However, its skin contains many more interesting structures that allow it to have such a distinct presentation.
Many cephalopods have camouflage techniques and use aposematic coloring as well. The two methods they can use to accomplish this kind of coloring are either through chromatophores and pigments or structural reflectors (Mathger et al., 2012). Chromatophores are organs that have pigment sacs. …show more content…

Suggested by its name, the octopus’ sixty or so blue rings light up in an iridescent fashion. The colorful rings extend from the head down to the body and arms of the creature on an otherwise dull body. As observed by the recorded video of the octopuses being disturbed, the rings were quick to light up with a dark brown colored outer circle, and a blue-green center. This display could be accomplished in as fast as 0.3 seconds, up to a little over 0.5 seconds. They noted that this brown ring of chromatophores along the edge increases the distinction between the rings and the pale

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