Octopus Biology And Ecology

Octopus Biology and Ecology is an all-in-one resource that explains early life history stages, including age and growth maturation, distribution, migration, diet, predators and parasites related to these mollusks. Octopods are becoming a strong source of protein, with information on the species becoming more and more important to fisheries. This reference offers detailed information on the most economically important octopods in the world and addresses the management and future forecasting of octopod fisheries. Special attention is given to octopods in highly variable coastal environments as they constitute a particular challenge. Octopod populations (together with other cephalopod groups) have increased worldwide, suggesting that these commercially relevant mollusks will benefit from the conditions of the oceans of tomorrow (e.g., global warming and decreased competition and predator pressures). This is a complete resource for aquatic scientists, marine biologists, researchers, cephalopod biologists, cephalopod ecologists, fisheries and aquaculture scientists, regulators and students. ? Provides a thorough overview of the biodiversity of octopuses ? Presents a detailed information about 21 different species ? Includes a profound analysis of past, present, and future trends in octopus research

Squid, cuttlefish and octopuses, which form the marine mollusc group the cephalopods, are of great and increasing interest to marine biologists, physiologists, ecologists, environmental biologists and fisheries scientists. Cephalopods: ecology and fisheries is a thorough review of this most important animal group. The first introductory section of the book provides coverage of cephalopod form and function, origin and evolution, Nautilus, and biodiversity and zoogeography. The following section covers life cycles, growth, physiological ecology, reproductive strategies and early life histories. There follows a section on ecology, which provides details of slope and shelf species, oceanic and deep sea species, population ecology, trophic ecology and cephalopods as prey. The final section of the book deals with fisheries and ecological interactions, with chapters on fishing methods and scientific sampling, fisheries resources, fisheries oceanography and assessment and management methods. This scientifically comprehensive and beautifully illustrated book is essential reading for marine biologists, zoologists, ecologists and fisheries managers. All libraries in universities and research establishments where biological sciences and fisheries are studied and taught should have multiple copies of this landmark publication on their shelves.

Advances in Cephalopod Science: Biology, Ecology, Cultivation and Fisheries—volume 67 in the Advances in Marine Biology series—addresses major themes of growing research interest in the field of cephalopod research. The book is composed of four chapters incorporating the latest advances in biology, ecology, life cycles, cultivation, and fisheries of cephalopods. Each chapter is written by a team of internationally recognized authorities to reflect recent findings and understanding. The book represents a breakthrough contribution to the field of cephalopod science. Advances in Marine Biology was first published in 1963 under the founding editorship of Sir Frederick S. Russell, FRS. Now edited by Michael P. Lesser, with an internationally renowned editorial board, the serial publishes in-depth and up-to-date reviews on a wide range of topics that appeal to postgraduates and researchers in marine biology, fisheries science, ecology, zoology, and biological oceanography. Eclectic volumes in the series are supplemented by thematic volumes on such topics as the biology of calanoid copepods. Covers cephalopod culture Covers environmental effects on cephalopod population dynamics Covers biology, ecology and biodiversity of deep-sea cephalopods Covers life stage transitions in successful cephalopod life strategies

A behavioral ecologist’s riveting account of his decades-long obsession with octopuses: his discoveries, adventures, and new scientific understanding of their behaviors. Of all the creatures of the deep blue, none is as captivating as the octopus. In Many Things Under a Rock, marine biologist David Scheel investigates four major mysteries about these elusive beings. How can we study an animal with perfect camouflage and secretive habitats? How does a soft and boneless creature defeat sharks and eels, while thriving as a predator of the most heavily armored animals in the sea? How do octopus bodies work? And how does a solitary animal form friendships, entice mates, and outwit rivals? Over the course of his twenty-five years studying octopuses, Scheel has witnessed a sea change in what we know and are able to discover about octopus physiology and behavior—even an octopus’s inner life. Here he explores amazing new scientific developments, weaving accounts of his own research, and surprising encounters, with stories and legends of Indigenous peoples that illuminate our relationship with these creatures across centuries. In doing so, he reveals a deep affinity between humans and even the most unusual and unique undersea dwellers. Octopuses are complex, emotional, and cognitive beings; even as Scheel unearths explanations for the key mysteries that have driven his work, he turns up many more things of wonder that lurk underneath. This is the story of what we have learned and what we are still learning about the natural history and wondrous lives of these animals with whom we share our blue planet.

As with the previous volume, the aim of this book is to gather and synthesise the research conducted on the biology (early life history stages, age and growth, maturation and fecundity), ecology (distribution, migrations, diet, predators and parasites) and fisheries (fishing areas, methods, landings, management and stock assessment) of the most economically relevant oegopsid squids. This squid group dominates the pelagic, oceanic environment and large populations (namely of ommastrephids) are characteristic of the productive shelf-break oceanic boundary currents and up-welling systems, where they normally occupy epi- and mesopelagic depths. Little is known about the spawning and embryonic development of these pelagic squids. They spawn in the relatively inaccessible open sea and extrude the eggs in large gelatinous neutrally buoyant egg masses. Oegopsids play a key role on the vertical energy flow of oceanic ecosystems, acting as an important part of the biological pump from the surface to deeper waters. In fact, some species show a typical daily behaviour that involves vertical migrations from near-surface waters at night-time to mesopelagic depths above or within oxygen minimum zones during the daytime. In addition to the critical role both as prey and predator in the open ocean, some species are the target of some of the worlds largest invertebrate fisheries.

"Cephalopods are often misunderstood creatures. Three biologists set the record straight."—Science News Largely shell-less relatives of clams and snails, the marine mollusks in the class Cephalopoda—Greek for “head-foot”—are colorful creatures of many-armed dexterity, often inky self-defense, and highly evolved cognition. They are capable of learning, of retaining information—and of rapid decision-making to avoid predators and find prey. They have eyes and senses rivaling those of vertebrates like birds and fishes, they morph texture and body shape, and they change color faster than a chameleon. In short, they captivate us. From the long-armed mimic octopus—able to imitate the appearance of swimming flounders and soles—to the aptly named flamboyant cuttlefish, whose undulating waves of color rival the graphic displays of any LCD screen, there are more than seven hundred species of cephalopod. Featuring a selection of species profiles, Octopus, Squid, and Cuttlefish reveals the evolution, anatomy, life history, behaviors, and relationships of these spellbinding animals. Their existence proves that intelligence can develop in very different ways: not only are cephalopods unusually large-brained invertebrates, they also carry two-thirds of their neurons in their arms. A treasure trove of scientific fact and visual explanation, this worldwide illustrated guide to cephalopods offers a comprehensive review of these fascinating and mysterious underwater invertebrates—from the lone hunting of the octopus, to the social squid, and the prismatic skin signaling of the cuttlefish.

Describes the ecology of important elements of southern Australian sub-tidal reef flora and fauna, and the underlying ecological principles.

As with the previous volume, the aim of this book is to gather and synthesize the research conducted on the biology (early life history stages, age and growth, maturation and fecundity), ecology (distribution, migrations, diet, predators and parasites) and fisheries (fishing areas, methods, landings, management and stock assessment) of the most economically relevant oegopsid squids. This squid group dominates the pelagic, oceanic environment and large populations (namely of ommastrephids) are characteristic of the productive shelf-break oceanic boundary currents and upwelling systems, where they normally occupy epi- and mesopelagic depths. Little is known about the spawning and embryonic development of these pelagic squids. They spawn in the relatively inaccessible open sea and extrude the eggs in large gelatinous neutrally buoyant egg masses. Oegopsids play a key role on the vertical energy flow of oceanic ecosystems, acting as an important part of the biological pump from the surface to deeper waters. In fact, some species show a typical daily behavior that involves vertical migrations from near-surface waters at nighttime to mesopelagic depths above or within oxygen minimum zones during the daytime. In addition to the critical role both as prey and predator in the open ocean, some species are the target of some of the world's largest invertebrate fisheries.