Discovering the Nine-Armed Octopus: Unraveling the Fascinating Oddities of the Cephalopod Nervous System

Nine Arms, No Problem

In 2021, researchers from Spain’s Institute of Marine Research made an exciting discovery. They used an underwater camera to follow a male octopus, specifically a common octopus known as Octopus vulgaris. This octopus had a unique appearance: three arms were intact, while the others were reduced to short, uneven stumps. Surprisingly, one arm—referred to as R1—was regenerating in an unusual way. Instead of returning to one form, it split into two, giving the octopus a total of nine arms.

Sam Soule, one of the researchers, explained that this unusual regeneration likely stemmed from a genetic mutation caused by a predator encounter. They named the octopus “Salvador” because its bifurcated arm resembled the curls of Salvador Dalí’s iconic moustache.

For two years, the team observed Salvador’s behavior. They discovered that he was cautious. When it came to “risky” movements, like exploring or grabbing food, he preferred using his original arms over the bifurcated one.

Jorge Hernández Urcera, another lead author, pointed out an interesting finding. The octopus seemed to remember the injury. He compared this memory to the ideas in Dalí’s famous painting, The Persistence of Memory, which inspired the title of their research paper.

Despite being wary of his ninth arm, Salvador adapted well over time. He learned to use it for exploring his surroundings, proving the incredible flexibility of the octopus’s nervous system. Pelled, another researcher on the team, emphasized how remarkable this adaptability is. “Most animals would struggle with an unusual body part, but not the octopus,” he said. This ability to compensate for a change in body structure highlights their unique biology.

Experts find this adaptability fascinating. In fact, recent studies show that many animals can develop new skills after injuries. For example, a study published in the journal Current Biology revealed that some animals can reroute neural pathways to regain lost functions.

This discovery with Salvador deepens our understanding of how creatures can heal and adapt. As researchers continue to study cephalopods, we might uncover even more insights into their resilience, making them one of the smartest invertebrates we know.

Feel free to explore more about octopus behavior and regeneration in studies like this one from MDPI.

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