Tag

Cephalopod

All articles tagged with #cephalopod

Cephalopod brains reveal a smarter path to intelligence
science23 days ago

Cephalopod brains reveal a smarter path to intelligence

Cephalopods like octopuses have large, highly intelligent brains built very differently from ours—neural cords in their arms and a donut-shaped brain around the esophagus—yet they show memory, problem solving, and rapid camouflage. Scientists are mapping their circuits, comparing dopamine signaling to vertebrates, and using genome data and CRISPR to develop lab-friendly models, highlighting both convergent principles and entirely novel brain solutions, while navigating cross-border ethical considerations and technical hurdles.

Oldest octopus claim debunked: fossil identified as a nautiloid relative
science1 month ago

Oldest octopus claim debunked: fossil identified as a nautiloid relative

A fossil once named as the world’s oldest octopus (Pohlsepia mazonensis) has been reclassified as a nautiloid relative (Paleocadmus pohli) after synchrotron imaging revealed a mollusk radula inconsistent with octopuses. Guinness World Records will remove the octopus title, highlighting how modern techniques can overturn long-held fossil identifications and reshape our view of cephalopod evolution.

"Nautilus: A Living Fossil in a Cosmic Shell"
science-and-nature2 years ago

"Nautilus: A Living Fossil in a Cosmic Shell"

The nautilus, a cephalopod in a spiral shell, is a survivor of mass extinctions and has a unique shape that reflects galaxies. Its shell is a logarithmic spiral, growing wider with each turn, resembling the arms of galaxies like the Milky Way. Nautiluses have survived for hundreds of millions of years and can withstand extreme pressure changes in the ocean. They live in chambers within their shells, sealing off each chamber as they grow. The nautilus is a fascinating creature that continues to captivate scientists and defy easy description.

Ancient Seafloor Communities Unearthed through Fossil Discovery
paleontology2 years ago

Ancient Seafloor Communities Unearthed through Fossil Discovery

Researchers have discovered a 480-million-year-old fossil in Morocco that provides evidence of an ancient interspecies interaction. The fossil is a cephalopod that was posthumously colonized by a colony of tiny filter-feeders called pterobranchs. This discovery sheds light on the early Paleozoic era and the transitionary period between the Cambrian and Ordovician periods. It also highlights the long history of animals building their homes on top of other animals, a behavior that has persisted for millions of years.