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Octopus suckers glow in the deep, dark sea
A red octopus from the Atlantic coast of the United States is the first creature known that can make its suckers flash on and off.
References:
Johnsen, S., E.J. Balser, and E.A. Widder. 1999. Light-emitting suckers in an octopus. Nature 398(March 11):113.
Further Readings:
Pennisi, E. 1994. Jellyfish's glow reveals head's beginnings. Science News 145(June 4):358.
Travis, J. 1996. Following the inner light. Science News 150(Oct. 5):220.
______. 1996. An illuminating partnership for squid. Science News 150(Sept. 14):167.
Cephalopods in Action, a collection of multimedia bits involving squid, octopods, and their relatives including short video clips, can be found at http://www.nmnh.si.edu/cephs/cephs2.htm.
Sources:
Michael Vecchione
National Museum of Natural History
National Marine Fisheries Service
Systematics Laboratory
Washington, DC 20560
Edith A. Widder
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
Bioluminescence Department
5600 U.S. 1 North
Fort Pierce, FL 34946
Richard E. Young
University of Hawaii
Department of Oceanography
1000 Pope Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
From Science News, Vol. 155, No. 11, March 13, 1999, p. 167. Copyright © 1999, Science Service.
