![]() There are no chromatophores above the ring, which is unusual for cephalopods as they typically use chromatophores to cover or spectrally modify iridescence. Beneath and around each ring there are dark pigmented chromatophores which can be expanded within 1 second to enhance the contrast of the rings. These are arranged to reflect blue–green light in a wide viewing direction. In the greater blue-ringed octopus ( Hapalochlaena lunulata), the rings contain multi-layer light reflectors called iridophores. If they are provoked, they quickly change color, becoming bright yellow with each of the 50–60 rings flashing bright iridescent blue within a third of a second as an aposematic warning display. Variable ring patterns on mantles of Hapalochlaena lunulata This, along with piling up rocks outside the entrance to its lair, helps safeguard the octopus from predators. Like all octopuses, they can change shape easily, which helps them to squeeze into crevices much smaller than themselves. īlue-ringed octopuses spend most of their time hiding in crevices while displaying effective camouflage patterns with their dermal chromatophore cells. Hapalochlaena nierstraszi was documented and described in 1938 from a single specimen found in the Bay of Bengal, with a second specimen caught and described in 2013.Blue-lined octopus ( Hapalochlaena fasciata).Southern blue-ringed octopus or lesser blue-ringed octopus ( Hapalochlaena maculosa).Greater blue-ringed octopus ( Hapalochlaena lunulata). ![]() There are four confirmed species of Hapalochlaena, and six possible but still undescribed species being researched: The genus was described by British zoologist Guy Coburn Robson in 1929. This may vary depending on factors such as nutrition, temperature and the intensity of light within its habitat. The species tend to have a lifespan of approximately two to three years. Despite their small size-12 to 20 cm (5 to 8 in)-and relatively docile nature, they are very dangerous to humans if provoked when handled because their venom contains the powerful neurotoxin tetrodotoxin. They are one of the world's most venomous marine animals. They eat small crustaceans, including crabs, hermit crabs, shrimp, and other small sea animals. They can be identified by their yellowish skin and characteristic blue and black rings that change color dramatically when the animal is threatened. Blue-ringed octopuses, comprising the genus Hapalochlaena, are four highly venomous species of octopus that are found in tide pools and coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian oceans, from Japan to Australia.
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