As shown in a current article published in the journal Zootaxa, a unique species of octopus, live in shallow seas off the southwest coast of Australia and is part of the Octopus Vulgaris genus.
‘Benthic shallow-water species are some of the most researched and better-understood octopods,’ said Dr. Michael Amor from the Western Australian Museum and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and Dr. Anthony Hart from the Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratory.
Because of it, we may be able to learn more about species boundaries and dispersion, as well as identify any previously unknown taxa.
In Octopoda, “ambiguous evolutionary change is prevalent, and throughout it, you’ll find examples.”
Few octopuses have any hard parts on their body or distinguishing characteristics. We may have underestimated the number of octopod species because of morphological plastic deformation connected to environmental circumstances and the ineffectiveness of conventional genetic techniques.”
“Within Octopoda, maybe the most memorable illustration of this occurrence you’ll notice among representatives of the Octopus Vulgaris community,” they continued.
Fisheries study, cell biology, earth sciences, marine research, neurophysiology, physiology of robots, and robotics are just a few of the many scientific fields interested in this community of octopus species.
One of the recently found Octopus Vulgaris species is conspecific with the prevalent Sydney octopus (Octopus Tetricus) from Australia’s east coast and New Zealand. However, it is significantly different in terms of morphology and genetics.
On Australia’s southwest coast, you can find the star octopus (Octopus djinda) between Shark Bay and Cape Le Grand.
Nyoongar people (‘a person from the southwest of Western Australia’) are the typical guardians of this territory,” the experts said.
A Nyoongar interpretation of “star” was chosen as a species name to honor their linkage to this territory. They use Star (luminous) because of the close relationship and differences from Octopus Tetricus.
An octopus with a mantle size between 10.9 and 17.7 centimeters got identified as a new species (4.3-7 inches).
Octopus Djinda endorses an incredibly successful fishery and is among the only two octopod fisheries on the entire planet to have obtained Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainable certification, according to the scientists who conducted the study.
As a result of its taxonomic description, the status of the common octopus found off the coast of southwest Australia, Octopus djinda, can now be officially recognized.
The Habitat and Behavior of Octopus
Every ocean in the world is home to at least one of the 300 octopus species. Some, like the paper nautilus, float closer to the surface of the water than others. Mollusks, crab, and shrimps are the primary food sources for octopuses.
Generally, solitary animals live by themselves; quite often, in caves, they dig out of rock or in shells they hang over their heads. Once they’re neatly tucked away in their dwellings, some even end up making a door for themselves out of a rock.
The Intelligence of the Octopus
The octopus can move the suckers on their arms individually due to a complicated bunch of neurons serving as the animal’s brain. It allows it to feel, smell, and exploit its surroundings.
Octopuses can open clamshells, move rocks, and even dismantle aquarium tank filtration systems. One of the squirts water down the back of a keeper it seemed to dislike regularly. Another one sprayed a jet of water toward a light to cause a stir.
