Octopus Behavior Studies Rethink Standing Theories
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Octopoda are revered by the science community for holding the secrets of nature.
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New studies assure that contrary to standing theories -species
of Octopus could be more sociable and
living in groups. National Geographic reported on July 30th 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.
