In a new paper released in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, scientists from the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) present researchers to successful culturing approaches for O. chierchiae that were established at the MBL.
A pygmy zebra octopus hatchling in the Cephalopod Mariculture Lab at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole. These octopuses are about the size of a grain of rice when they hatch. They reach complete size (about the size of a table grape) within six months. Credit: Tim Briggs
For generations, researchers have depended on a handful of organisms to study the principles of biology. The typical suspects– fruit flies, zebrafish, and mice, among others– all have short lifespans, little body size, can be bred through numerous generations in the lab, and have actually been established for hereditary examinations. These research study organisms overlook an entire swath of biological diversity and researchers have actually done not have access to a cultured octopus laboratory organism– previously. Presenting the pygmy zebra octopus (O. chierchiae).
” The pygmy zebra octopus has specific biological functions that make them attractive and better suited for lab research study, compared to other octopuses,” says Bret Grasse, MBLs supervisor of Cephalopod Operations and co-author on the paper.
Adult pygmy zebra octopus (Octopus chierchiae). Credit: Tim Briggs
Also referred to as the “lesser Pacific removed octopus,” the pygmy zebra octopus shares many beneficial similarities with other research study organisms– such as small adult body size– but it likewise has distinct features that differentiate it from other cephalopods (the group of animals that include squid, cuttlefish, and octopus).
O. chierchiae adult in a shell taking a look at a snail. Credit: Tim Briggs
” The majority of octopuses are live quickly, die young. They breed as soon as and then right away begin to senesce and age and after that die relatively quickly,” states Anik Grearson, previous MBL intern and co-lead author on the paper. Unlike other octopus species, a female O. chierchiae lays several clutches of 30-90 eggs over her reproductive duration.
Anik Grearson, co-lead author on the paper, leans over a tank in the Cephalopod Mariculture Lab at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole. Credit: Marine Biological Laboratory
” We can mate them and understand precisely when theyll lay their eggs. We understand precisely how long theyll incubate and we can raise offspring at a relatively high survivorship rate compared to other octopuses,” states Grasse. Include that to its small size, sexual dimorphism, and foreseeable breeding schedule and its simple to see why O. chierchiae is an ideal candidate for additional exploration and research.
Recommendation: “The Lesser Pacific Striped Octopus, Octopus chierchiae: An Emerging Laboratory Model” by Anik G. Grearson, Alison Dugan, Taylor Sakmar, Dominic M. Sivitilli, David H. Gire, Roy L. Caldwell, Cristopher M. Niell, Gül Dölen, Z. Yan Wang and Bret Grasse, 13 December 2021, Frontiers in Marine Science.DOI: 10.3389/ fmars.2021.753483.
A pygmy zebra octopus hatchling in the Cephalopod Mariculture Lab at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole. These octopuses are about the size of a grain of rice when they hatch. These research organisms leave out an entire swath of biological diversity and scientists have actually done not have access to a cultured octopus laboratory organism– till now. Presenting the pygmy zebra octopus (O. chierchiae).