4 replies to this topic

[JamesWood]

New Scientist featured a recent publiation on squid ink as an alarm signal. In this series of experiements we used video to both record experimental trials and to communicate our results. I suspect that part of the reason that this work was featured was the image and videos.

http://environment.n...heir-lives.html

I strongly encourage all Wetpixel members that are scientists, educators or divers to fully utilize their underwater photography skills when sharing their love for the marine environment with others. We have an ability to let people see what we see through our photography.

Cheers,

James

[loftus]

Interesting little study; I know you mentioned that removing the melanin will result in no reaction, will the squid react if you just squirt in any ink or pigment of similar color?

[JamesWood]

Interesting little study; I know you mentioned that removing the melanin will result in no reaction, will the squid react if you just squirt in any ink or pigment of similar color?

We did not test that but my guess is that that they would react to a squirt of any dark colored ink.

James

[ATJ]

Great work, James.

It does make sense that visual would be better than chemical because visual will be much faster and also cephalopod eyes are so good.

I wonder if the same thing happens with the more solitary cephalopods like cuttlefish and octopus.

[MIKE POWELL]

OUCH ...somebody give that squid a BC Powder Stat!! My guess is the squid damaged it's melon on the glass as it "ran for it's life" only to prove what it already knew - INK=ALARM.