| A "Mimic Octopus" in the Atlantic: Flatfish mimicry and camouflage by Macrotritopus defilippi. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20203250 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The sand-dwelling octopus Macrotritopus defilippi was filmed or photographed in five Caribbean locations mimicking the swimming behavior (posture, style, speed, duration) and coloration of the common, sand-dwelling flounder Bothus lunatus. Each species was exceptionally well camouflaged when stationary, and details of camouflaging techniques are described for M. defilippi. Octopuses implemented flounder mimicry only during swimming, when their movement would give away camouflage in this open sandy habitat. Thus, both camouflage and fish mimicry were used by the octopuses as a primary defense against visual predators. This is the first documentation of flounder mimicry by an Atlantic octopus, and only the fourth convincing case of mimicry for cephalopods, a taxon renowned for its polyphenism that is implemented mainly by neurally controlled skin patterning, but also-as shown here-by their soft flexible bodies. |
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Authors:
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Roger T Hanlon; Anya C Watson; Alexandra Barbosa |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The Biological bulletin Volume: 218 ISSN: 1939-8697 ISO Abbreviation: Biol. Bull. Publication Date: 2010 Feb |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-03-05 Completed Date: 2010-05-18 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 2984727R Medline TA: Biol Bull Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 15-24 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Marine Resources Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02540, USA. rhanlon@mbl.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adaptation, Physiological* Animals Behavior, Animal Caribbean Region Flatfishes* Octopodiformes / physiology* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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