I am not sure the marks are related but the little macropus I had showed a series of lines at the tip of her mantle. Shipping through the cold to me, however, was not responsible for the marks because they are visible on the original photos still in Michigan. I never got a suggestion as to what would cause the skin to look that way.
I think that this was not a healthy octopus before it shipped. It's skin was already damaged looking, and the marking on the mantle was not normal for a briareus, although I'm sure the stress of shipping didn't help it any. Keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow!
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