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The existence of mimic octopus is restricted to the islands of Indonesia, specifically off the coasts off Sulawesi, and Bali (3). Surprisingly, the octopus have been viewed during the daylight hours, generally residing near sand tunnels, and holes (1). The octopus enjoy these mounds because they provide a significant source of food, including small worms, fish, and crustaceans. The octopus utilizes its arms to feel for prey, and then captures the food through the use of expanded webs.
However, when the animal is attempting to hide itself from possible enemies, the Indo-Malayan octopus can transform itself into a variety of organisms, including fish, sea snakes, and anemones. If the octopus observes a cluster of damselfish es, it will change into a lionfish by swimming above the ocean floor, with arms extended beyond the body (2). The lionfish is known to possess poisonous spikes, which successfully deter the damselfish from preying upon the mimic octopus. Another possible transformation includes the sole fish. The octopus is able to propel itself in a similar manner by forming a leaf-shaped arm that moves it across the ocean floor effortlessly. The octopus's arms are also useful in impersonating the sea snake.
Two arms are waved around to appear like a pair of snakes, while the other six are hidden from view. The octopus also changes its color and creates yellow and dark bands across the exposed arms. Other variations employed by the mimic octopus include the sea anemone and the jellyfish (3). The phenomenal behavior of the Indo-Malayan octopus has left researchers wondering how this trait has developed, or been acquired by the animal. The ability has not been viewed in any other species of cephalopods, despite their lack of a strong internal or external skeleton, a body type ideal for imitations. The studies and observations of these animals within their habitat point to a wide variety of reasons, both evolution-oriented and behavior-oriented, which are responsible for the development of this talent.
The Indo-Malayan octopus has been able to copy those animals known to generate poisons, such as fish with toxic glands, and anemone, and jellyfish known for their stinging powers. This characteristic appears to validate the behavioral influence of the octopus's capacity for imitation since the animal has isolated those species, which are known to contain toxins (4). The behaviorist theory is further authenticated by the sexual mate perspective. Researcher's have also explored the idea that the characteristics are not primarily for defense, but to attract sexual mates (2).
The idea is that females are more likely to mate with those who have the ability to transform into a larger number of sea creatures. The problem with this theory is that both female and male octopus were able to show mimic mannerisms, even when isolated from each other. Impersonations have never occurred within the cephalopod species without the presence of the male. Therefore, the trait is much more likely to be something examined and observed by the species over a long period of time.
However, there is a considerable amount of evidence, which supports the idea of evolutionary development. The cephalopod species is known to have the ability to duplicate the surrounding environment, by creating colors and patterns similar to the background. For example, the reef squid has the ability to camouflage itself among a group of parrot-fish. Yet, none of these organism types can accurately mimic so many different types of sea creatures. Since the species has begun with the aptitude to emulate an environment, evolutionary theory would explain a new advancement in the area of predatory defense. The progression of mimicry is based upon an organism, which reveals innovative formations that have not occurred within the species before (7).
The octopus has developed the ability to not only mimic surroundings, but mimic a number of other creatures. This dynamic mimicry gives the Indo-Malayan choices to cater their behavior toward specific adversaries. This also explains why this trait is such a rare occurrence. As more creatures obtain the ability to imitate, the less effective the trait will become when avoiding enemies. These predators will eventually become aware of imitation, and develop the ability to spot charlatans (2). Evolutionary assumptions also help in explaining the relative toxicity of the mimic octopus.
It is currently unknown whether the octopus is poisonous, and whether the level of poison changes with the alternation in appearance. Theorists assume that the mimic has the same potential for poison whether it physically is perceived as a lion-fish, or a sea snake. This is because the entire act of imitation reveals that the animal is engaging in predatory deterrence. It most likely that the octopus imitates in order to avoid encounters.
It does not have the available toxins to truly be a danger. The evolutionary theory seems to explain more of the octopus's behavior and development. If the assumption is made that the mimic octopus has obtained the behavior through instinctual means, then possible lines of inquiry include what probable advancements in mimicry will occur in the next thousand years, and what behavioral traits will predators develop in order to battle camouflage defenses? Is water a more encouraging environment for camouflage behaviors? Can the qualities found in the imitation of the octopus similar to the imitations that occur in cellular diseases, such as cancer? The support of evolution as a basis for the growth of mimicry merely provides a foundation for the direction of future expansion in the area since most of what is known of these octopus are conjectures.
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Research essay sample on Evolutionary Theory Sea Creatures
