ID Octopus Picture?

[stadtfam]

Can anyone identify this octopus?

The picture is by Dr. Roy Caldwell and from TonmoCon 4

 

[CaptFish]

to TONMO
Wow what an awesome pic, I love his work.

I can guess at what it is, but it would be just that, a guess, however, I'm sure Roy is poking around on here somewhere, I'll send him a message to be sure he sees this post.

 

[DWhatley]

I believe it is a photo taken at the same time as this group:

http://www.tonmo.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/774/title/abdopus-abaculas-shape-shifting/cat/500

and is Abdopus abaculas. Hopefully Roy will verify my assumption.

 

[tonmo]

As an aside, thanks again for coming to TONMOCON IV!

 

[Neogonodactylus]

D. is correct. This animal was the subject of several days shooting. It was found in coral rubble that I collected at 30 m on the north shore of Moorea. It was taken to my lab in Berkeley where I photographed it. I must say it was the more remarkable octopus I have ever photographed. As for the species, I originally identified it as Abdopus abaculas. However, Crissy Huffard described a similar species from Tonga as Octopus gorgonas. A. abaculas is usually found shallow, O. gorgonas deeper, so we now believe that this is A. gorgoas. In the original description, it was in the genus Octopus, but it probably should be moved to Abdopus. Here are a couple of other shots of it - same animal.

Roy

 

[CaptFish]

Stunning

 

[stadtfam]

Thank you for identifying this beautiful octopus. I love the picture and am having it framed.

 

[tonmo]

Thanks Roy and stadtfam - great thread - tweeted!

 

[DWhatley]

I forgot about the reindeer octo photo of this little guy

 

[Neogonodactylus]

So did I.

Roy

 

[DWhatley]

... but were you TRYING to?