Eledone cirrhosa. Eye lens, 7mm diameter. Large, highly-developed eyes have structure, including lens, similar to mammals. Variation in arrangement of elements, arising from separate evolution, led to lack of mammalian blind spot. 1974. Orkney.

Species

Eledone cirrhosa

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Eledone cirrhosa. Extremely large; 660mm long, 1410g. Dorsal surfaces terracotta with mobile red blotches. Ex lobster creel, Scapa Flow, Orkney. Bought live from fisherman’s son hawking crabs in wheelbarrow around village. April 1974.

Species

Eledone cirrhosa

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Eledone cirrhosa. Dorsal surfaces of mantle, head and arms orange-red. Tuberculate surface, can vary to smooth. Ventral exhalent respiratory funnel extended from left. April 2010. North Wales.

Species

Eledone cirrhosa

Photographer / copyright holder

M.N.Thomas http://www.flickr.com/photos/marknthomas/collections/

Eledone cirrhosa. Ventral surface white, clearly demarcated from dorsum by pale rim around lateral periphery of mantle. Mainly benthic, moving on arms, but jet propels water from exhalent funnel for rapid escape. April 2010. North Wales.

Species

Eledone cirrhosa

Photographer / copyright holder

M.N.Thomas http://www.flickr.com/photos/marknthomas/collections/

Eledone cirrhosa. Tuberculate surface, can vary to smooth . Large, highly-developed eyes positioned laterally with substantial rim which can be lowered. Pupils are horizontal slits, so slit aperture permits good vision. April 2010. North Wales.

Species

Eledone cirrhosa

Photographer / copyright holder

M.N.Thomas http://www.flickr.com/photos/marknthomas/collections/

Eledone cirrhosa. Smooth surface, can vary to tuberculate. Specimen out of water. Eye aperture open wide. Ex lobster creel, Scapa Flow, Orkney. Bought live from fisherman’s son hawking crabs in wheelbarrow around village. April 1974.

Species

Eledone cirrhosa

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Eledone cirrhosa. Mantle an oval bag, fused with head dorsally. Ventral exhalent respiratory funnel extended from right. April 2010. North Wales.

Species

Eledone cirrhosa

Photographer / copyright holder

M.N.Thomas http://www.flickr.com/photos/marknthomas/collections/

Eledone cirrhosa. Extremely large; 660mm long, 1410g. Ventral surface white, hence Spanish and French vernacular names “blanco”, “blanche”. Mantle aperture open ventrally. Ex lobster creel, Scapa Flow, Orkney. April 1974.

Species

Eledone cirrhosa

Photographer / copyright holder

I.F. Smith

Octopus vulgaris. During a steady gliding approach with colours and pattern changing, the exhalent funnel is directed backwards to give a sudden jet propelled lunge to grab a crab. April 2011. Sublittoral. Faro, Portugal.

Species

Octopus vulgaris

Photographer / copyright holder

João Pedro Silva http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/

Octopus vulgaris. Dymantic display: sudden paling, with darkening around eyes to make them look larger, startles an attacker and gives time for escape.

Species

Octopus vulgaris

Photographer / copyright holder

João Pedro Silva http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/

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