Scientists Uncover Alien-Like Genome Of The Octopus


California Two-Spot Octopus (Octopus bimaculoides)
California Two-Spot Octopus (Octopus bimaculoides) Source: Daily Times Gazette

 


Most of us know that octopuses are seemingly clever with their  ability to open jars, use tools, and change patterns at will; but, how is this the case?

Uniquely Unique

A recent study reveals that octopuses have a very unique set of genes that have helped them evolve into the amazing creatures they are today. Caroline Albertin and team at the University of Chicago, sequenced the California Two-Spot Octopus (Octopus bimaculoides) and made some surprising discoveries. The study revealed that the octopus has hundreds of unique genes that can move around in the genome and are highly expressed in neural tissues, such as the brain, but also highly expressed in the skin and suckers. These characteristics allow the octopus to adapt in unique and novel ways surprising quickly.

Extremely Nervous

The octopus genome revealed the presence of protocadherins, which are vital to the development of nervous systems. Octopuses have more protocadherins than any other animal species so far studied. Such an abundance of nervous-oriented genes may account for their sophisticated intelligence. Past studies have shown that octopuses have such a complex nervous system that their arms can operate independently once severed.

Sucker Lickin’ Good

The genomic research revealed that octopus suckers can sense their environment akin to how humans smell and taste. This would be equivalent to a human having smell and taste sensors along their arms and legs and on their hands and feet. This access to sensory information would require a complicated nervous system, which the octopus surely does have!

Transform and Roll-Out!

With the genome sequenced, scientists can now also look at how octopuses are able to transform their bodies and change their skin so quickly and uniquely in response to environmental changes. The uncovering of these complex mechanisms may pave the way for the creation of materials that can perform complex physical and coloration tasks (think camouflage).

This is only the beginning. There’s still so much more to explore about our alien-like cephalopod cousins.

Reggie holds a B.S. in Human Development and a M.Ed. in Science Communication. He is wrapping up an M.S. in Biology from Clemson University, and is also a Doctoral student in Educational Psychology with California Coast University. He has been an informal science and critical thinking educator since 1998 spearheading one of the largest podcasting sites dedicated to free inquiry and science. He retired from podcasting and currently works as a biology educator in Orlando, FL. He is a vegan (most of the time) and his hobbies are: genealogy, singing, anime, watching science-oriented documentaries, and science fact-checking. Feel free to add Reggie on LinkedIn where he periodically writes articles on critical thinking, evolution, and other sciences: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginaldfinley