Bioluminescence in the Deep-Sea Cirrate Octopod Stauroteuthis syrtensis Verrill (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

Abstract

The emission of blue-green bioluminescence ({lambda}max = 470 nm) was observed from sucker-like structures arranged along the length of the arms of the cirrate octopod Stauroteuthis syrtensis. Individual photophores either glowed dimly and continuously or flashed on and off more brightly with a period of 1-2 seconds. Examination of the anatomy and ultrastructure of the photophores confirmed that they are modified suckers. During handling, the photophores were unable to attach to surfaces, suggesting that, unlike typical octopod suckers, they have no adhesive function. The oral position of the photophores and the wavelength of peak emission, coupled with the animals' primary postures, suggests that bioluminescence in S. syrtensis may function as a light lure to attract prey.

Vertical distribution, behavior, chemical composition and metabolism of Stauroteuthis syrtensis (Octopoda: Cirrata) in the northwest Atlantic

“…This quiescent behavior was not exhibited by captive octopods. In response to disturbance caused by the submersibles, Stauroteuthis syrtensis inflated its web complex and exhibited the ballooning behavior noted previously (Vecchione & Young 1997, Johnsen et al 1999. Thus, observations in the present study supported the hypothesis that these behaviors may function as an alarm response to deter or confuse predators, such as Cuvier's beaked whales Ziphius cavirostris and blue sharks Prionace glauca (Vecchione & Young 1997, Johnsen et al 1999, Santos et al 2001, Kubodera et al 2007.…”

“…In contrast, scaled, weightspecific respiration rates for S. syrtensis were at the lower end of ranges reported for cephalopods from shallow and deep water (0.9 to 7.8 µl O 2 g -1 WW h -1 in the present study versus 0. species use bioluminescence to lure prey (Childress & Mickel 1985, Johnsen et al 1999, Collins & Henriques 2000, Seibel & Carlini 2001, Robison et al 2003. In addition to differential activity, some of the observed differences in O 2 consumption may be related to allometric scaling, with larger animals consuming proportionally less O 2 , as observed in the present and previous studies (e.g.…”

“…Examinations of gut contents from Stauroteuthis syrtensis expanded on previous reports that the octopods fed on unidentified copepods (e.g. Johnsen et al 1999) and on the hypothesis that mucus secreted by buccal secretory glands entrapped prey that were then handled by the cirri (Vecchione & Young 1997). In this case, only Calanus finmarchicus was found in the stomachs of S. syrtensis, with the condition of the prey indicating that they were swallowed whole.…”

“…Stauroteuthis syrtensis has been observed to display a variety of behaviors, including swimming by sculling its paired fins, swimming via medusoid contractions of its web complex, inflating its web to varying degrees, and inverting its arms and web to expose suckers that differ from those of most octopods in that they contain bioluminescent photophores and are not adhesive (Vecchione & Young 1997, Johnsen et al 1999, Collins & Villanueva 2006. Inflation and inversion of the web have been hypothesized to be defensive responses to disturbance or behaviors involved in capturing small crustacean prey attracted by the bioluminescence emanating from the suckers (Vecchione & Young 1997, Johnsen et al 1999.…”

“…Inflation and inversion of the web have been hypothesized to be defensive responses to disturbance or behaviors involved in capturing small crustacean prey attracted by the bioluminescence emanating from the suckers (Vecchione & Young 1997, Johnsen et al 1999. A secondary web that links the arms to the primary web in S. syrtensis and other Cirroteuthidae facilitates behaviors such as medusoid swimming, inflation and inversion.…”