Ecology, Oceanography, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
51
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Adaptation of gill traits in benthic octopuses from shallow waters to the deep sea Christian M Ibáñez, Daniela Lowick-Russell, Jennifer Catalán, Mariana Díaz- Santana-Iturrios, Fernando A Fernández-Álvarez, et al. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2026 Deep-sea organisms exhibit remarkable adaptations that enable survival under extreme environmental conditions. Among them, benthic octopuses show distinct morphological modifications compared to their shallow-water counterparts, particularly in respiratory structures. This study investigates macroevolutionary adaptations in gill morphology, specifically gill size and lamellae count, across environmental gradients from shallow to deep ocean, using benthic octopuses as a model system. We compiled data on gill traits for 52 species from biological collections and published sources and analysed these within a robust molecular phylogenetic framework. Phylogenetic comparative methods were employed to assess trait-environment correlations and to fit evolutionary models (Brownian Motion, Early Burst, Rate Trend, and Ornstein–Uhlenbeck) to infer adaptive processes. All traits exhibited strong phylogenetic signal, and the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model provided the best fit, indicating stabilizing selection towards reduced gill size and lamellae count with increasing depth. Both traits were negatively correlated with latitude, depth, and oxygen concentration, but positively correlated with temperature. These findings provide compelling evidence for adaptive evolution in respiratory traits of benthic octopuses, highlighting the role of environmental gradients in shaping functional morphology across global ocean depths.
Deception in the dark - an ethogram of Callistoctopus furvus C E O'Brien, Emily Lekas, Tatiana S Leite Journal of Molluscan Studies, 2025 Callistoctopus furvus (the “eastern” or “sand octopus”) is a relatively unstudied species of medium-large nocturnal octopus inhabiting shallow coastal areas of the tropical western Atlantic. To aid in field identification, promote further study of this species and enhance the understanding of skin patterning and behaviour in nocturnal shallow-water octopuses, we composed an ethogram of C. furvus from photographs and 3.11 h of video collected of wild individuals in the natural environment. We catalogued two colours, 17 static chromatic components, six groups of skin patterns (divided into 16 subpatterns), three textures, 10 postures and 11 behaviours. Photographs and videos of C. furvus from other geographic areas could be classified using this ethogram, supporting its validity for the study of C. furvus throughout its geographic range. We also described eight features that can be used to differentiate C. furvus from co-occurring octopods through observation alone: strict nocturnality, brick red incorporated into most skin patterns and rows of regularly spaced white spots that are always at least faintly visible on the arms, a polka-dotted deimatic pattern, large “U”-shaped papillae on the mantle, six distinct mantle shapes, a shallow arm web, the execution of very few “parachute attacks” and a tendency to enter existing holes or bury itself in response to disturbance. Notable features include the use of at least one “dynamic” chromatic component, a putative masquerade as algae, and potential mimicry of trumpetfish or cornetfish. Greater observation and study of C. furvus and other octopods from a diversity of habitats, latitudes and temporal niches will enhance our understanding of how these factors have shaped the use of colours body patterning and behaviour of this unique group of molluscs.
An annotated and illustrated list of Cephalopoda (Mollusca) recorded from Brazilian waters, with an identification key to species Manuel Haimovici, Roberta Aguilar dos Santos, Luciano Gomes Fischer, Mario A. Salcedo Vargas, Tatiana Silva Leite Marine and Fishery Sciences, 2025 An annotated list of cephalopods from the Brazilian Economic Exclusive Zone is presented. Species are briefly described, mainly based on external characters with information on their habitat and distribution, and images of freshly caught or preserved specimens are given. This list updates the nomenclature and geographical distribution given in previous lists, and it includes some recently described species, as well as unpublished records identified to genera. A key for the identification of families, genera and species, and images of live specimens are included. A total of 93 species are recorded, belonging to the orders Spirulida (1), Sepioidea (6), Myopsida (6), Oegopsida (46), Bathyteuhida (2), Vampyromorpha (1) and Octopoda, suborders Cirrata (4) and Incirrata (27), all in the Subclass Coloidea. Almost half of the species are benthic from the continental shelf or slope, and the remainder are water-column species, mostly from the slope and adjacent oceanic waters. Only 17 species are considered endemic to the southwest Atlantic, including two that are currently known to occur only in Brazil.
Scientific diving in cephalopod research: A systematic review and future perspectives Alessandra Kriebel Pak, Tatiana Leite Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 2025 In situ observation of cephalopods is crucial for understanding their behaviour, ecology, and natural interactions. Scientific diving offers a minimally invasive approach to studying these elusive organisms, especially in shallow waters. This systematic review evaluates the application of scientific diving in cephalopod research over the past five decades, analysing trends, methodologies, and global representation. An initial database search was conducted, followed by a second, more targeted search to improve accuracy and coverage. This two-stage process significantly increased the capture rate of relevant studies, from an estimated 28% to 57%, of 225 publications meeting inclusion criteria since 1973. In total, 83 different species were studied, with Octopus cf vulgaris being the most recurrent complex species. Most studies were conducted within recreational and non-decompression diving limits, resulting in a higher representation of orders typically found within these depth ranges: Octopoda (52.7%), Sepiida (19.8%), and Myopsida (18.7%). Orders often inhabiting greater depths, such as Nautilida (4.9%) and Oegopsida (3.8%), were studied primarily through video recordings, egg collections, or specimen release. Manual collection (44%) and direct observations (35%) were the primary goal for diving uses. Publications concentrated in regions such as the West Coast of North and South America and the Mediterranean, with the United States leading contributions (21.2%). The initial under-representation of studies was largely due to inconsistent terminology and lack of direct reference to diving methods in titles, abstracts, or keywords. These findings highlight the need for standardized reporting to fully leverage scientific diving’s potential in cephalopod research.
Biodiversity of octopuses in the Americas Roberto González-Gómez, Otilio Avendaño, Irene de los Angeles Barriga-Sosa, Penélope Bastos, Claudia Caamal-Monsreal, et al. Marine Biology, 2024
Octopus insularis, stout reef octopus Tatiana S. Leite, Françoise D. Lima, Piedad S. Morillo-Velarde, Renato J.S. Dantas, Roberto González-Gómez, et al. Octopus Biology and Ecology, 2024
World Octopus Fisheries Warwick H. H. Sauer, Ian G. Gleadall, Nicola Downey-Breedt, Zöe Doubleday, Graham Gillespie, et al. Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture, 2021
