Octopus Behavior Studies Rethink Standing Theories

Octopoda are revered by the science community for holding the secrets of nature.

New studies assure that contrary to standing theories -species of Octopus could be more sociable  and living in groups. National Geographic reported on July 30^th on a new investigations on Octopus which revealed that the specie is surprisingly sociably and forces us to rethink our knowledge on these creatures. 

Octopoda species which have been observed to be utilizing “group-social-strategies” include the ­ Abdopus, Eledone and the Striped Octopus. National Geographic highlighted the work of the Panama Biologist Aradio Rodaniche and Richard Ross of the Science Academy of California. Biologist Aradio Rodaniche started working with Stripped Octopus in 1991 in Nicaragua. The biologist assured that the specie could be found living in groups of up to 40 individuals.  Standing theories of octopus behavior assured that Octopoda specie only grouped for reproduction purposes.  

Other studies signal to proximity sharing conditions of the specie Abdopus and Eledone which has also been reported to be seen living in groups.  Science community is attempting to understand if these are isolated cases or if Octopus specie are in fact more sociable than originally thought.

Octopoda –Greek for eight feet belong to the order of Cephalopada Mollusks. In turn Cephalopada –Greek for Head-Feet are a class of marine invertebrates grouping over 700 species including octopus, squid, cuttlefish and Nautilus. Nautilus are considered “living fossils” –a classification used only for species which have not been extinct but are remarkably similar to those identified through fossils.

These are marine creatures which have had long time to manifest evolution mutations. The “shyness and prudence” which Jacques-Yves Cousteau used to described Octopus is shattered by the new marine documentations.

Octopus are considered organisms of superior intelligence, capable of sorting out complex problems, empowered with a highly developed nervous system, equipped with eight arms which are independently and interconnect operated by singular brains, proved to have memory skills, can listen in on frequencies ranging from 400 Hz to 1000 Hz, can camouflage superbly hiding out in diverse environment, can prey, stock, hunt and execute escape maneuvers with speed and distraction techniques and are revered by the science community for holding the secrets of nature. 

The physiology and anatomy of the octopoda reveals that the specie is naturally capable of managing networks and multi-tasking beyond perfection. Given the displays showed by octopus it would be no surprise for it to be able not only to socialize but to communicate in more ways than one –including chemically and direct cognitive communication. Socialization networks are utilized for security, communications, mapping of area, hunting, reproduction, rank establishment and sheer survival of the fittest.

Social behavior is a direct adaptation utilized by diverse living organism to successfully strive in the conditions imposed by the environment which they live and depend on. Usual cases of socialization and evolution are linked to primates, which utilize cooperation, rank establishments and other social behaviors in everyday life. There are numerous cases of organisms which make use of socialization.

A perfect case to understand the uses and benefits of socialization in living organisms is that of the Puerto Rico Taonuco trees. This case not only serves as a living metaphor of socialization but extends the term socialization beyond that of what it usually defines.

Tabonuco forest -dominant tabonuco tree (Dacryodes excelsa) can stand as high as 30 meters forming a continual canopy. Trees are known to have evolved to "entangle roots underground creating a strengthen rooted network to withstand yearly hurricane seasons”. By utilizing this network behavior trees are able to withstand the devastating conditions imposed by hurricane and cyclone season. While this type of evolution is not considered strictly sociable it does serve as a good example of why organisms choose to “go-sociable” in face harsh environmental conditions and challenges. Harsh environmental conditions which in turn generate socialization behavior can also present new opportunities beyond that originally provided by the environment.

Marine organisms -from large whales to small polyps or diminutive nanoplanktons are known to establish symbiotic, similar and/or intrinsic “sociable” relationships and behaviors. Scientists just now begin to reflect and rethink how far can “socialization” behaviors extend to the operations of the Tree of Life. The conditions of the marine environment, water chemistry, water dynamics, ocean currents, vertical and horizontal nutrient cycles and temperature among other abiotic conditions are key for the developing of certain behaviors which can be classified as “sociable”. While terrestrial earthly conditions -which shape behavior through evolution may vary from environment to environment ocean conditions while diverse share more similar and limiting conditions. These conditions can be considered the main foundations as why marine organisms have adapted in similar ways and share similar behaviors.