Hillary Campbell Biology 1050-001 October 21, 2013 Giant Pacific Octopus The Giant Pacific Octopus can

be a vicious predator. They have quite the arsenal of adaptations that allow them to successfully live in its environment. The octopus is in the domain Eukarya, kingdom Animalia, phylum Mollusca, class Cephalopoda, subclass Coleoidia, order Octopoda, family Octopodidae, genus Enteroctopus, and species Enteroctopus dofleini. The octopus has a few really awesome adaptations that make it one of the most specialized invertebrates in the ocean. The first important adaptation is the use of chromatophores. Chromatophores are little pigmentation sacs that are under the skin of the octopus. These sacs enable the octopus to use camouflage as a main method of defense. There are three different colors of pigmentation sacs: yellow, red, and brown. The octopus uses its eyes to judge which color to use and then employs tiny muscles to pull the correct color to the surface of its skin to blend in. Working in conjunction to the chromatophores are papillae which are small muscles that can be used to make the skin look rough or smooth.They play an important part in assisting to camouflage the octopus. The eyes of the octopus have many similar structures to humans such as the iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. They are surprisingly very advanced. Their pupils form a horizontal slit that only allows for forward and back movement, unlike that of humans. Their eyes are a very important adaptation because they help them to choose a mate, find a den, locate prey, and help them to decide how to camouflage themselves. The octopus has three hearts. This is one of the strangest adaptations; however, it serves an important purpose. Octopi have a closed circulatory system, with two hearts that pump blood to the gills and one heart that pumps blood to the rest of the body. Their blood contains a protein called hemocyanin. Hemocyanin is more efficient than the hemoglobin in humans because it is more efficient at oxygen transportation in the cold temperatures and low oxygen pressure environments of the ocean. The octopus possesses a brain that is very advanced. Its intelligence is one of its most important adaptations. Advanced intelligence is a necessity in the octopus since, compared to some of the other predators found in the ocean, it lacks other significant adaptations for defense. The octopus has a complete nervous system and possesses a high capacity for learning and problem solving. Some scientists have even found evidence that shows the capability of storing both long and short term memory. Octopi are also known to use tools such as empty coconut shells to shelter themselves. Last but not least the octopus has a specialized mouth. Its sharp parrot-like beak is used for biting and holding on to prey. Behind the beak is a tough structure that is similar to a tongue called a radula. The radula has sharp drill shaped teeth on it that are used to scrape up prey or even bore holes

in the shells of its food. The mouth also contains venomous salivary glands that paralyze prey and are a useful aid in digestion. Without any one of these adaptations, the octopus would cease to be an effective predator and the species would most likely die off over time. All of these, and many more adaptations not included, combine to create an animal that has truly adapted to perfectly suit its environment