Octopus 'impersonates' flatfish to survive

BBC (UK) reported that Thaumoctopus mimicus octopus living in Indonesian waters could 'impersonate' the same swimming technique of flatfish or sea snakes to survive in harsh living environment.

Octopus Thaumoctopus mimicus impersonates flatfish and sea snakes
to fool the enemy - Photo: Science Daily

The study was carried out by scientists working at the California Academy of Sciences, the United States and the International Conservation Organization in Indonesia and will be published in the September 2010 issue of the Society's Journal of Biology. Linnean, London (UK).

Dr. Christine Huffard worked at the International Conservation Organization in Indonesia, puzzled: 'The relatives of Thaumoctopus mimicus octopus cleverly used a gray color to blend into the surrounding environment that successfully camouflaged the enemy. Instead of using this method inherited from ancestors, it uses a bold strategy to make the 'bold' and browner body colors more prominent than predators in the place where they live. '

'In addition, Thaumoctopus mimicus octopus can also straighten the head and tentacles, and apply undulating swimming techniques just like poisonous flatfish or sea snakes,' Huffard said.

Applying DNA sequencing method to build a 'pedigree' of octopus Thaumoctopus mimicus and of more than 35 of its relatives, scientists believe that the evolutionary behavior of Thaumoctopus mimicus octopus is 'beneficial' It will scare and deceive predators, so that it can freely live with the enemy.