PZ Myers. 2005 Jul 26. Cirrate octopus. <http://pharyngula.org/index/weblog/cirrate_octopus/>. Accessed 2008 Nov 20.

Posted on M00o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr on Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Cirrate octopus

Stauroteuthis syrtensis
Stauroteuthis syrtensis

Apostropher is correct: this is a great octopus photo.

The 30 cm octopus was a vivid reddish-orange color, had a membranous web of skin between its tentacles and possessed two small flipper fins just behind the eyes (hence the common name of dumbo octopus). This animal is one of only two octopus species in the world that are known to bioluminesce. The suckers along the arms have evolved into light-emitting organs that glow blue-green in the perpetual darkness of its habitat.

Posted by PZ Myers on 07/26 at 10:36 AM
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  1. Lovely skirt. I'm seeing a media career for it, eg in a Disney Fantasia movie. If that fails it might end up as a lampshade ... :-O
    #: Posted by  on  07/26  at  11:44 AM
  2. Now my new background!

    Much to the dismay of other office folk....
    #: Posted by John M. Price  on  07/26  at  01:03 PM
  3. I want one!
    #: Posted by  on  07/26  at  01:06 PM
  4. I wonder how they got that picture? And where? And how deep (if it was taken in the wild, as it appears to be)?

    GrrlScientist
    #: Posted by GrrlScientist  on  07/26  at  04:00 PM
  5. How (closely) are octopi related to jellyfish?
    #: Posted by  on  07/26  at  04:10 PM
  6. About as closely as we are.
    #: Posted by PZ Myers  on  07/26  at  04:12 PM
  7. Now my new background!
    Ditto!

    Her tentacles are exceptionally bizarreautiful.
    #: Posted by  on  07/26  at  04:26 PM
  8. By the way, I'd like to (humbly) call attention to Jerry's words below, as they pertain quite well to deep-sea fishing and the wonderous rewards it has brought us... such as this lovely and proud creature!
    #: Posted by  on  07/26  at  04:29 PM
  9. Thanks PZ. I appreicate your patience with a biology dabbler. I love to see how evolution has provided such a rich set of forms through independent paths.

    It is such a shame that some creationists (those literally stuck in the literal mud) are missing such exciting times in science. Evolution is such a elegant process that - with enormous time - creates such a beautiful display.
    #: Posted by  on  07/26  at  05:07 PM
  10. Yup, it is my background now, too. Kids just LOVE it!
    #: Posted by coturnix  on  07/26  at  08:22 PM
  11. So what are the little tentacles branching off the main ones, stingers? Greatly mutated suckers?
    #: Posted by  on  07/27  at  07:18 AM
  12. You can find some pretty cool video of these guys here.
    #: Posted by apostropher  on  07/27  at  07:42 AM
  13. Hail spawn of Cthulhu.
    #: Posted by  on  07/27  at  12:53 PM