This strategy may let the Larger Pacific Striped Octopus lay hundreds more eggs than other shallow-water octopus species, which become senescent when they first lay and die when that brood hatches.
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While most male octopuses typically share sperm with females from a distance, in case their partner gets aggressive or hungry, this particular species appears to be considerably more romantic. Though this species was first observed over four decades ago, it still remains without a formal scientific description.
“I’ve never seen anything like it”, said marine biologist Roy Caldwell, a University of California, Berkeley, professor of integrative biology.
The research is reported in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE.
“But where the logistics allow them, studies are showing us that octopus behaviors are far more complex than assumed”. However, Ross and Caldwell observed live specimens in aquarium settings between 2012-2014, finding that pairs of males and females successfully mated without extreme aggression or cannibalism. Sometimes it will be able to grab it with a sticky sucker, but more often than not the maneuver will startle the shrimp, sending it scuttling in the other direction – and right into the octopus’ arms.
The history of the elusive larger Pacific striped octopus is as colorful as the eight-armed creature itself.
The peculiar behaviors seen in the larger Pacific striped octopus are actually a testament to how little is known about most octopuses, Caldwell said.
The larger Pacific striped octopus lives in discarded shells or rock cavities at the mouths of rivers.
Close-up observations of male and female octopus pairs offer a rare look at relationships among these tentacled animals, confirming anecdotal accounts once thought too weird to be true. The female is the lighter animal on the left. While on exhibit, several pairs mated daily and produced multiple clutches of eggs, giving the team the opportunity to observe habits of brooding females as well.
Co-author Dr Richard Ross, from the California Academy of Sciences, said: “Personally observing and recording the incredibly unique cohabitation, hunting and mating behaviours of this fascinating octopus was beyond exciting”.
“It reminds us how much we still have to learn about the mysterious world of cephalopods”.
“They certainly respond to one another when they display their highly contrasting stripes and spots, so their coloration appears to be useful for group living”, Caldwell said.
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“That behavior, to me, is really unusual and shows some behavioral plasticity that is well beyond what we’ve seen in other octopus”, Caldwell said.
