Neuroethology: self-recognition helps octopuses avoid entanglement

Robyn J Crook; Edgar T Walters

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2014.04.036

Neuroethology: self-recognition helps octopuses avoid entanglement

Curr Biol. 2014 Jun 2;24(11):R520-1. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.04.036.

Authors

Robyn J Crook¹, Edgar T Walters²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030 USA.
² Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030 USA. Electronic address: Edgar.T.Walters@uth.tmc.edu.

PMID: 24892911
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.04.036

Abstract

How an octopus performs complex movements of its eight sucker-studded arms without entanglement has been a mystery. A new study has found that self-recognition of the octopus's skin by its suckers inhibits reflexive grasping of its own arms, simplifying the mechanisms needed to generate intricate arm behavior.

Publication types

Comment

MeSH terms

Animals
Extremities / physiology*
Movement*
Octopodiformes / physiology*
Psychomotor Performance*