New research sheds light on the fascinating locomotion strategies of octopuses, revealing a previously unknown preference in how these intelligent invertebrates utilize their eight arms. Contrary to assumptions, octopuses don't exhibit a dominant arm like humans' right- or left-handedness. Instead, a study published in Scientific Reports analyzed extensive video footage of three octopus species in their natural Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea habitats, from 2007 to 2015. This groundbreaking research, the first large-scale study of its kind in the wild, provides unprecedented insights into octopus limb usage.
The study found that octopuses utilize their four front arms approximately 60% of the time for tasks such as exploring their environment. The rear arms, however, play a crucial role in locomotion, primarily used for stilting and rolling movements that propel the octopus forward. As co-author and marine biologist Roger Hanlon from the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts explains, "All of the arms can do all of this stuff – that's really amazing." This highlights the remarkable adaptability and versatility of octopus limbs.
This contrasts with previous laboratory-based studies, which did not reveal this clear preference for the front arms in a natural setting. The challenging nature of filming these elusive creatures in their natural dens over many years underscores the dedication and perseverance required for this research. The complexity of octopus limbs, each containing 100-200 suckers functioning as sophisticated sensory organs comparable to a human's nose, lips, and tongue, contributes to their ability to perform such a wide range of tasks.
The study's findings offer invaluable insights into the intricate behavior of these fascinating creatures, particularly their remarkable capacity for adaptation and redundancy. With eight arms capable of diverse functions, an octopus possesses significant resilience, even when facing the loss of an arm due to predation, a common occurrence in the wild. The redundancy built into their anatomy allows for continued survival and adaptation to their environment, a testament to the elegance of their evolutionary design. Experts such as Janet Voight, an octopus biologist at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, have praised the groundbreaking nature of this research, expressing awe at the accomplishment of observing and analyzing these shy and elusive animals in their natural habitats.
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Originally published at: https://www.ksl.com/article/51373697/how-to-use-8-arms-octopuses-tend-to-explore-with-their-front-limbs
