Curled octopus  (Eledone cirrhosa)

Curled octopus
Curled octopus
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Facts

Also known as:Lesser octopus and northern octopus
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Cephalopoda
Order Octopoda
Family Octopodidae
Genus Eledone (1)
Size Length: 40 - 50 cm (3)
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Status

Common and widespread.

Description

The cephalopods (meaning 'head-footed'), a group of molluscs that contain the octopuses, squid and cuttlefish, are probably the most intelligent of all invertebrates. They have well-developed heads, with large eyes and mouths that feature beak-like jaws. All octopuses have eight tentacle-like arms; indeed 'octopus' derives from the Greek for 'eight-footed' (5). The curled octopus is typically yellowish or reddish-orange in colour with rusty-brown patches and a whitish underside; individuals are able to rapidly change colour to suit their surroundings (3). The slender arms taper towards the tips; they feature a single row of suckers and are curled when the octopus is at rest, hence the common name (3).

Range

Found around the British coastline; it also occurs in the northeast Atlantic and in the Mediterranean (3).

Display NBN Map ButtonYou can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

Inhabits rocky coastal areas (3).

Biology

Like all cephalopods, the curled octopus is an active predator (4). It usually feeds on crustaceans, molluscs and other invertebrates as well as fish (4). When feeding on crabs, the curled octopus immobilises its prey by puncturing its eye and injecting toxins into the body of the crab. The digestive enzymes contained in the saliva of the octopus break down the attachments within the crab's body, allowing the carapace to be easily removed (4).

Threats

Not currently threatened.

Conservation

Conservation action has not been targeted at this common species.

Find out more

For more on this species see the (MarLIN) Marine Life Information Network species account, available from:
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Eledonecirrhosa.htm

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

Glossary

Carapace: The top shell of a turtle. In arthropods (insects, crabs etc), the fused head and thorax (the part of the body located near the head) also known as ‘cephalothorax'.

References

  1. National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (November, 2002)
    http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn/
  2. Key, L.N., Boyle, P.R. and Jaspars, M. (2002) Novel activities of saliva from the octopus Eledone cirrhosa (Mollusca; Cephalopoda). Toxicon, 20: 677 - 683.
  3. Wilson, A., 1999. Eledone cirrhosa. Curled octopus. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. (November, 2002)
    http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Eledonecirrhosa.htm
  4. Grisley, M.S., Boyle, P.R. and Key, L.N. (1996) Eye puncture as a route of entry for saliva during predation on crabs by the octopus Eledone cirrhosa (Lamarck). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 202: 225 - 237.
  5. Buczacki, S. (2002) Fauna Britannica. Hamlyn, London.