Week Six

I read an article this last week in the NY Times about the cuttlefish. A scientist named Roger Hanlon has been studying this species--which is part of the cephalopod family--for over thirty years. This extraordinary animal is so fascinating to him because it can camouflage itself against any background. He says that they are able to do this because of their advanced visual system and the versatile nature of their skin cells. They have huge eyes that take in very broad and detailed images of their surroundings. The part of their brain that processes this information is huge, and connected to many parts of their skin system. The article also said, "The animals use a number of strategies to alter appearances. The skin layers can swell and contract, changing the reflected colors. At the same time, the cuttlefish can also control millions of pigment-filled organs, causing them to flatten like pancakes to add patterns to their skin."
I think this fish is fascinating! I would love to see a live one.
After watching the video, I discovered that cuttlefish have three types of transformation: uniform, mottled, and disruptive. Dr. Hanlon believes that the cuttlefish has these three templates to use while it disguises itself. He also posits that other species who camouflage themselves also rely on a few basic patterns.

Jodi Hilton for The New York Times

A cuttlefish adopts checkerboard motif at Marine Biological Laboratory.