- Joined
- Apr 19, 2010
- Messages
- 478
I've been tossing this idea around in my head for quite some time.
Is Octopus vulgaris more suitable for studying octopus behavior than any other species?
The only thing I can see going for it is its size; it's presumably easier to manipulate and is found worldwide. However, acquiring it means capturing it in the wild, which is time-consuming, possibly expensive, and possibly traumatic to the animal.
It is also the best-studied species of octopus, so it has precedent going for it.
However, there are better options. Try bimacs.
It is smaller and easier to keep; there's a wealth of information that we've collected on TONMO about raising this species. It only requires about 60 gallons as opposed to the 200 gallons that seems to be more suitable for Octopus vulgaris. Given the right tools one should be able to manipulate Octopus bimaculoides' body parts just as well.
It is large-egged, which means it is easier to breed and maintain in captivity. DWhatley has kept several generations of these animals, I think.
Studying the physiology of more than one species of octopus would help to improve the quality of our observations on octopuses in general, as Octopus vulgaris is just one species of a whole lot of octopods.
Thoughts? Criticism? Flames?
Is Octopus vulgaris more suitable for studying octopus behavior than any other species?
The only thing I can see going for it is its size; it's presumably easier to manipulate and is found worldwide. However, acquiring it means capturing it in the wild, which is time-consuming, possibly expensive, and possibly traumatic to the animal.
It is also the best-studied species of octopus, so it has precedent going for it.
However, there are better options. Try bimacs.
It is smaller and easier to keep; there's a wealth of information that we've collected on TONMO about raising this species. It only requires about 60 gallons as opposed to the 200 gallons that seems to be more suitable for Octopus vulgaris. Given the right tools one should be able to manipulate Octopus bimaculoides' body parts just as well.
It is large-egged, which means it is easier to breed and maintain in captivity. DWhatley has kept several generations of these animals, I think.
Studying the physiology of more than one species of octopus would help to improve the quality of our observations on octopuses in general, as Octopus vulgaris is just one species of a whole lot of octopods.
Thoughts? Criticism? Flames?