Latest news with #cephalopods
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Octopuses Fall For The Classic Fake Arm Trick – Just Like We Do
Octopuses can be fooled into thinking a fake arm is actually their own. When scientists in Japan pinched an artificial appendage during experiments, octopuses recoiled in defense – swimming away, suddenly changing their color, or retracting their arms, as if they'd really been hurt. The reaction is not proof that cephalopods are dim-witted or easily tricked – quite the contrary. The findings are a first and they suggest that octopuses are highly intelligent creatures that feel a sense of responsibility over their appendages. Related: Even we humans fall for the body transfer illusion, which is used to study an animal's sense of body ownership. The trick was originally reported in our own species in 1998, and more recently in monkeys and mice. Now, it seems invertebrates can be fooled too. That's remarkable, as octopus arms are controlled by a nervous system like no other. "Our findings suggest, like humans, octopuses have a multisensory representation of their body," the study authors conclude. To figure out how octopuses feel about their own bodies, animal behavior scientists Sumire Kawashima and Yuzuru Ikeda of the University of the Ryukyus placed plain-body night octopuses (Callistoctopus aspilosomatis) in a tank for a series of experiments. During the trials, one of the octopus arms was hidden from sight by a screen. A fake arm made of soft gel was then placed in front of the screen. Scientists stroked both the fake limb and the hidden limb simultaneously. Immediately after, researchers pinched the fake arm. Within seconds, the octopus responded as if it had been attacked, though it wasn't physically hurt. That might seem like an overreaction, but even humans who are prepared can fall for this trick. If one of our hands is placed behind a screen and a fake hand placed in front, we can be made to 'feel' the fake hand. Our brains are essentially fooling us into thinking the touch we are feeling on our real hand is related to the touch we are seeing. Once that link is established, our brain automatically takes ownership of the fake hand. If we see the fake hand being prodded, then we also feel it. The reason we fall for this illusion is complicated, but essentially, it's because our brains are exceptional at rapidly integrating perceptions of touch, vision, and proprioception (which is the sense of where our bodies are in space). Octopus brains are apparently also skilled in this respect. These marine mollusks have extremely flexible, incredibly dexterous arms, with approximately 500 million neurons running through each. All eight limbs can make decisions independent of the brain, and they can even 'taste' with their finger-like suckers. Similar to humans, however, it seems that the octopus brain also prefers visual information over other senses, like touch, taste, or proprioception. This makes it possible for the creature to adopt a limb they see that isn't actually theirs. "These results suggest that the basic perceptual rules that determine body ownership in octopuses are similar to those of mammals," argue Kawashima and Ikeda. "These findings in the octopus, which has a complex nervous system that has developed independently of vertebrates, may be an important model for studying the evolution of the sense of body ownership." The correspondence was published in Current Biology. Related News Bone-Eating Worms Have Lurked in The Ocean For 100 Million Years Ancient Voice Box Finally Reveals How Dinosaurs May Have Sounded Stunning Grand Canyon Fossils Reveal Evolution's Weird Experiments Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Squid dominated oceans millions of years ago scientists say
When did squid first appear in our oceans and how did the evolve? That's a question that has puzzled scientists for many a team of researchers in Japan think they might have discovered the developed a new technique to scan fossils, allowing them to look at rocks in 3D their surprise, this helped them find more than 1,000 beaks of ancient cephalopods, suggesting that the animals dominated oceans millions of years ago. What are Cephalopods? Cephalopods - a group of marine animals which include squid - have been swimming in our oceans for millions of years. However, not much is known about ancient squid, as they are rarely preserved. This is because they are soft-bodied and don't have hard shells, meaning they rarely turn into fossils.A team of international scientists, led by experts at Hokkaido University in Japan, developed a new advanced technique to scan allowed them identify one thousand fossilised cephalopod beaks hidden inside rocks, which dated back to the late Cretaceous these small beaks were 263 squid specimens, including about 40 different types that had never been seen surprised scientists was how common squids were in ancient oceans. The team found that squid fossils were far greater in number than those of other bony fish and ammonites. Author of the study, Dr Shin Ikegami, from Hokkaido University explained: "In both number and size, these ancient squids clearly prevailed the seas."Their body sizes were as large as fish and even bigger than the ammonites we found alongside them. "This shows us that squids were thriving as the most abundant swimmers in the ancient ocean," he team hope that their new technique could help us better understand ancient marine ecosystems.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Octopus boom in UK waters
Despite being called the common octopus, it's actually not very common to see these eight-legged creatures in UK fishers on the south west coast of England have noticed an increase in both the numbers and size of the cephalopods over the past few has meant there are fewer lobsters, crabs and shellfish for the fishers to catch and sell, because the octopuses feed on think it could be due to rising sea temperatures or that there aren't as many predators in the water, but say more research is needed. Why is this a problem? Fishers in the UK catch lobsters, crabs and shellfish using pots which they then pull up from the sea floor. But these pots have small openings which the octopuses can squeeze themselves into to feast on the animals inside for themselves. It means there are fewer crabs, lobsters and shellfish for the fishers to sell, but they can still get a decent price for the octopuses they catch. The main concern comes from scientists who are trying to figure out why this is happening and if there are any other consequences. What do the experts say? Carli Cocciardi, from the Devon Wildlife Trust, said: "We typically see two species in the UK, the common octopus and the curled octopus."The south-west of England is really the northern edge of the common octopus's range, so sightings here are significant."These are the species most likely to be involved in the recent increase.""This isn't the first time we've seen a spike. Similar increases were recorded in 1899, 1948, and again in 2022."The most likely cause is rising sea temperatures, which make our waters more suitable for species like the common octopus."Other factors could include changes in ocean currents or increased prey availability. "It's interesting that the gaps between these events are shortening, perhaps it's no longer a rare cycle but a sign of more permanent change."
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Aquariums banned from allowing children to pet crabs and squid
Aquariums are to be banned from allowing children to pet crabs and squid. An overhaul of zoo and aquarium standards was announced on Saturday, with the aim of improving animal welfare. One major change is the prohibiting of vertebrates, cephalopods such as squid and octopus, and crabs from being kept in touch pools where they can be handled by visitors. Touch pools are built to mimic the natural rock pools found at the seaside and are home to a range of animal life. In nature these habitats are often filled with starfish, whelks, limpets and crabs and in aquariums. Those such as the one at the Sea Life London Aquarium are used to teach visitors, often children, about marine life. But rock pools in aquariums and zoos will no longer be able to host crabs or squid as a result of the new Government rules. The changes come after recent research has found that handling can be distressing to the animals, which are more intelligent than previously thought. The move has been applauded by animal-rights activists and there will be a two-year adjustment period before the changes need to be made. Elisa Allen, Peta's vice-president of programmes, told The Telegraph: 'Animals are not curiosities to be prodded, and prohibiting touch pools for decapod crustaceans and cephalopods – now recognised in UK law as sentient beings capable of feeling pain, stress, and distress – is both necessary and long overdue. 'These settings offer no escape from the relentless onslaught of human hands and fall far short of meeting the animals' complex physical and behavioural needs. 'Cephalopods, in particular, require ample space to explore, environmental enrichment, and the ability to hide – none of which are provided in the cramped, barren confines of a typical touch tank. It's past time we move away from treating other animals as mere playthings.' A Sea Life spokesperson said: 'The welfare of all creatures in our care is the number one priority at Sea Life. 'We welcome the updates to the standards for modern zoo practice, which will ensure that the UK continues to lead the way in the safety and welfare of animals in zoo-licensed premises. 'This is at the forefront of what we do at Sea Life. Whilst we await the full details, we have already begun preparing for the changes and will review further following publication.' The new welfare rules will also force zoos to make sure elephants have large outdoor space in which to roam, with the requirement for a herd of five or fewer elephants increasing sixfold from 3,000 square metres to 20,000 square metres. All zoos that contain the most dangerous animals, such as big cats, gorillas or elephants, will also have to have guns available to ensure public safety. Dr Jo Judge, CEO of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) which represents over 130 zoos and aquariums said: 'The new standards are a significant step up in legal requirements and cement Britain's position as a global leader for zoos and aquariums.' Baroness Hayman, the animal welfare minister, said: 'We are a nation of animal lovers, and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept. 'Today's long-overdue reforms lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums – and the animals they protect. This is the first step as part of our commitment to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation. 'We're making sure all sectors have the tools they need thrive, which is vital in our mission to deliver economic growth and make lives better for people across the country under our Plan for Change' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
24-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Aquariums banned from allowing children to pet crabs and squid
Aquariums are to be banned from allowing children to pet crabs and squid. An overhaul of zoo and aquarium standards was announced on Saturday, with the aim of improving animal welfare. One major change is the prohibiting of vertebrates, cephalopods such as squid and octopus, and crabs from being kept in touch pools where they can be handled by visitors. Touch pools are built to mimic the natural rock pools found at the seaside and are home to a range of animal life. In nature these habitats are often filled with starfish, whelks, limpets and crabs and in aquariums. Those such as the one at the Sea Life London Aquarium are used to teach visitors, often children, about marine life. But rock pools in aquariums and zoos will no longer be able to host crabs or squid as a result of the new Government rules. The changes come after recent research has found that handling can be distressing to the animals, which are more intelligent than previously thought. The move has been applauded by animal-rights activists and there will be a two-year adjustment period before the changes need to be made. 'Animals are not curiosities' Elisa Allen, Peta's vice-president of programmes, told The Telegraph: 'Animals are not curiosities to be prodded, and prohibiting touch pools for decapod crustaceans and cephalopods – now recognised in UK law as sentient beings capable of feeling pain, stress, and distress – is both necessary and long overdue. 'These settings offer no escape from the relentless onslaught of human hands and fall far short of meeting the animals' complex physical and behavioural needs. 'Cephalopods, in particular, require ample space to explore, environmental enrichment, and the ability to hide – none of which are provided in the cramped, barren confines of a typical touch tank. It's past time we move away from treating other animals as mere playthings.' A Sea Life spokesperson said: 'The welfare of all creatures in our care is the number one priority at Sea Life. 'We welcome the updates to the standards for modern zoo practice, which will ensure that the UK continues to lead the way in the safety and welfare of animals in zoo-licensed premises. 'This is at the forefront of what we do at Sea Life. Whilst we await the full details, we have already begun preparing for the changes and will review further following publication.' The new welfare rules will also force zoos to make sure elephants have large outdoor space in which to roam, with the requirement for a herd of five or fewer elephants increasing sixfold from 3,000 square metres to 20,000 square metres. Guns to ensure public safety All zoos that contain the most dangerous animals, such as big cats, gorillas or elephants, will also have to have guns available to ensure public safety. Dr Jo Judge, CEO of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) which represents over 130 zoos and aquariums said: 'The new standards are a significant step up in legal requirements and cement Britain's position as a global leader for zoos and aquariums.' Baroness Hayman, the animal welfare minister, said: 'We are a nation of animal lovers, and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept. 'Today's long-overdue reforms lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums – and the animals they protect. This is the first step as part of our commitment to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation. 'We're making sure all sectors have the tools they need thrive, which is vital in our mission to deliver economic growth and make lives better for people across the country under our Plan for Change'
