Octopus cf vulgaris
ORDER
Octopoda
FAMILY
Octopodidae
TAXONOMY
Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797. Although Octopus vulgaris has been reported to be widely distributed around the world, researchers interested in cephalopod systematics have long known that these reports represent a species complex. Unfortunately, the relationships among the various populations within this complex have not yet been resolved.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Devilfish, scuttle; French: Pieuvre, poulpe commun; German: Gewöhnlicher Krake, Oktopus, Seepolyp; Portuguese: Polvo; Spanish: Pulpo común, pulpo de roca.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Has two series of suckers. Structures (when present) on dorsal surfaces of mantle, head, arms not star-shaped cartilaginous tubercles. Funnel organ is W-shaped. Ink sac present. No ocelli between eye and bases of lateral arms. Has 9–11 gill lamellae on each outer demibranch. Mantle opening is wide. Dorsal arms are shortest; lateral arms longer than ventral arms; ventrolateral arms only slightly longer than dorsolateral arms.
Character states for distinguishing among species in this group await publication of redescriptions.
DISTRIBUTION
This species group is found worldwide in temperate and tropical waters; the true O. vulgaris is probably restricted to European and northern African waters.
HABITAT
A benthic species occurring from the coastline to the outer edge of the continental shelf in depths from 0–656 ft (0–200 m), where it is found in a variety of habitats, including rocks, coral reefs, and seagrass beds. The paralarvae are planktonic.
BEHAVIOR
The complex behavior of these octopods has been described in great detail. Although researchers disagree about the level of intelligence of these mollusks, or even how to measure it, they have referred to these animals as the closest thing to alien intelligence encountered by humans.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds primarily on crustaceans (crabs and lobsters) and mollusks (clams and snails). Females may produce between 120,000 and 400,000 eggs little longer than 0.07 in (2 mm), which they deposit in strings in crevices or holes, usually in shallow waters. Spawning may take as long as a month. During the brooding period (25–65 days, depending on water temperature), the females almost stop feeding; many die after the hatching of the paralarvae.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Two peak periods of spawning, in the spring and autumn of each year.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN. Occasionally of concern because of potential overfishing.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
A very important species for commercial fisheries. Has also been used extensively in behavioral experiments.
