The astounding-sounding expounding surrounding cuttlefish

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the unique features of cuttlefish, highlighting their internal calcium carbonate shell, large eyes, eight legs, and two specialized tentacles used for capturing prey. Cuttlefish possess the remarkable ability to change skin color for camouflage and communication, along with a fin that aids in agile movement. Additionally, they can expel ink as a defense mechanism against predators. Participants express enthusiasm for cephalopods, particularly cuttlefish, and share resources for further exploration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of cephalopod anatomy and physiology
  • Familiarity with marine biology concepts
  • Knowledge of animal behavior, particularly communication methods
  • Basic research skills for navigating scientific resources
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  • Research the anatomy of cuttlefish, focusing on their buoyancy mechanisms
  • Explore the communication methods of cephalopods, including color change
  • Investigate the ecological role of cuttlefish in marine environments
  • Learn about the evolutionary adaptations of cephalopods
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Marine biologists, educators, students of marine life, and anyone interested in the unique adaptations and behaviors of cephalopods, particularly cuttlefish.

honestrosewater
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I usually don't get so excited about cephalopods, but these cuttlefish are something special. I saw them on a show last night and think they have one of the most interesting set of features I've ever seen in a single organism. I'm trying to collect a list of all of their features here, so please tell me anything you know about them. When the list is done, I'm taking it to the engineering forum for a watchmaker challenge.
Here are some things I have so far; They're mostly from memory, so please correct them or expand on any feature I mention if you have more details.

Internal calcium carbonate shell (with buoyancy chambers?)
Large eyes
Eight legs
Two liquid-filled tentacles with suckers; inflated very quickly to catch prey
Can change their skin color as camouflage from predators, to disorient prey, and communicate with each other.
One fin extending around their body allows them to move up/down, front/back, side/side easily.
Have ink (for evading predators?)

I know there's more, just can't recall now...
 
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Are they high on latent inhibition?
 
hitssquad said:
Are they high on latent inhibition?
I don't know; I haven't read about it yet. I stopped to figure out what being loaded meant and got distracted.
 
honestrosewater said:
I usually don't get so excited about cephalopods

Why on Earth not? Cephalopods are by far the best invertebrates in my oppinion :biggrin:
Pacific reef squid can also change colour almost instantly. It is believed that it is used as a form of communication by them.
 
Okay, maybe I'm on my own on this one. But if anyone's interested in this kind of stuff, I think cuttlefish are worth checking out. :smile:
 
Aren't cuttlefish strictly salt water animals?

~Kitty
 
I did a 1st grade report on cuttlefish :rolleyes:
 
Aw rats, I had a bookmark for an excellent cephalopod website and it's on my old laptop.

This is an excellent site HRW, this has just about everything you'd ever want to know as well as links to other ceph sites.

http://www.cephbase.utmb.edu/
 
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Evo said:
Aw rats, I had a bookmark for an excellent cephalopod website and it's on my old laptop.

This is an excellent site HRW, this has just about everything you'd ever want to know as well as links to other ceph sites.

http://www.cephbase.utmb.edu/
Woohoo! Thanks, I'll check it out. I hadn't been able to find any decent sites.
 
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  • #10
I would have thought that the discoverychannel.cm or wikipedia.com would have had some information about the cuttlefish. Did you check those sites?

~Kitty
 
  • #11
misskitty said:
I would have thought that the discoverychannel.cm or wikipedia.com would have had some information about the cuttlefish. Did you check those sites?

~Kitty
Yeah, wiki had basically the same info as the show, and discovery didn't have anything. I'm not finished searching though; I've just been busy, and this near the end of my list.
 

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