#KnowledgeByte: #Octopuses change color instantly using specialized skin cells called chromatophores, which are tiny, muscle-controlled pigment sacs.
Beyond #camouflage, these changes are used for communication (like warning predators or attracting mates) and may even occur involuntarily while the octopus is dreaming.
https://knowledgezone.co.in/posts/How-do-Octopuses-Change-Colour-699e7fe3a12fc0127b490412
P.S.Villar et al. (2026) studied #evolutionary aspects of the #copulatoryorgan in #male #octopuses and describe it as #multifunctional organ that performs two key #functions: the #hectocotylus is a specialized tentacle that delivers #spermatophores into the #female's #mantlecavity. But the authors identified it also as #chemotactile #receptor for #progesterone during #materecognition.
©#StefanFWirth
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Ref
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aec9652
Figs
©S.F.Wirth,#AI assisted
@jetton One octopus. Two octopuses. 3.14 octopi.
I don't remember who first posted this. Anyone?

Ayu and Yamame hear a rumor that this year's first-year students at Unabara High School will have an international student from the sea among them. They waited for the exchange student by the sea, but couldn't meet her. On her way home, Ayu stopped by a bookstore and met an eight-legged girl...? This is a soothing series depicting high school life with Okuta-san, a slippery and pure girl!