Canberra: There is a huge world under the oceans too. A world of many kinds of creatures live here. There is such a world in the sea, seeing which now scientists are also engaged in research. It is about the structure of the octopus. Yes, we have heard about bird nests till now, but octopus nests have got everyone thinking. It is found at Davidson Seamount, just off the coast of California. Here, in the scorching heat, thousands of ‘pearl’ octopuses, whose scientific name is ‘Musoctopus robustus’, gather to mate, nest and incubate their eggs.
The nursery, discovered in 2018, is the most spectacular octopus nesting site ever. Now, a team of marine scientists has dived to monitor and observe the site. A team led by marine scientist James Berry of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) has discovered the allure of this special place. The site is important to the octopus because the volcanic heat accelerates the development of the eggs, increasing the chances of survival for their young. Barry says the research helped us figure out why so many deep-sea octopuses congregate there.
Why are there octopus nests here?
It lies 3,200 meters (10,500 ft) below sea level in the permanent icy darkness of the bathapelagic. But the researchers counted 4,707 female nests in a 2.5-hectare area in the middle of the site, estimating that there are about 20,000 octopuses, including males and females, in the entire nursery. Octopuses, like many marine creatures, are cold-blooded. The temperature in the Davidson Seamount Abyss is about 1.6 °C. At this temperature, pearl octopus eggs will take five to eight years to hatch.
During 3 years at sea, researchers made 14 dives using a remotely operated vehicle. Here he studied the octopus extensively. The slight glistening of the water on the seamount was a clue as to why they had chosen this spot. This happens when hot water mixes with cold water. They found that the nests of octopuses were in the crevices. Those cracks are places where heat escapes from beneath the ocean floor, heating the water to 11 degrees Celsius (51 Fahrenheit) or more.
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The team found that this temperature is very favorable for the octopus’s metabolism and egg-laying. It is not clear whether octopuses need heat for nesting, but it is clear that it is beneficial. The researchers say that the shorter duration reduces the likelihood of the eggs being eaten by predators.
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Tags: Science news today, World News in Hindi
First published: August 24, 2023, 10:11 IST