2001/09/07 by Mark D. Norman, Julian Finn, Tom Tregenza · 5 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Neuroscience · #Cephalopods and Marine Biology #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
paper · doi:10.1098/rspb.2001.1708
openalex publication_date 2001/09/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
During research dives in Indonesia (Sulawesi and Bali), we filmed a distinctive long-armed octopus, which is new to science. Diving over 24 h periods revealed that the 'mimic octopus' emerges during daylight hours to forage on sand substrates in full view of pelagic fish predators. We observed nine individuals of this species displaying a repertoire of postures and body patterns, several of which are clearly impersonations of venomous animals co-occurring in this habitat. This 'dynamic mimicry' avoids the genetic constraints that may limit the diversity of genetically polymorphic mimics but has the same effect of decreasing the frequency with which predators encounter particular mimics. Additionally, our observations suggest that the octopus makes decisions about the most appropriate form of mimicry to use, allowing it to enhance further the benefits of mimicking toxic models by employing mimicry according to the nature of perceived threats.