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| species = rubescens
| species = rubescens
| authority = [[Samuel Stillman Berry|Berry]], 1953
| authority = [[Samuel Stillman Berry|Berry]], 1953
| synonyms = *''Octopus punctatus''<br><small>Gabb, 1862</small>
| synonyms =
*''Octopus punctatus''<br><small>Gabb, 1862</small>
*''Polypus hongkongensis''<br><small>Hoyle, 1885</small>
*''Polypus hongkongensis''<br><small>Hoyle, 1885</small>
*''Octopus dofleini''<br><small>Wülker, 1910</small>
*''Octopus dofleini''<br><small>Wülker, 1910</small>
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[[File:Red Octopus rescued.jpg|thumb|East Pacific red octopus, rescued from a gull near [[Los Osos, California]] ]]
[[File:Red Octopus rescued.jpg|thumb|East Pacific red octopus, rescued from a gull near [[Los Osos, California]] ]]
'''''Octopus rubescens''''' (commonly the '''East Pacific red octopus''', also known as the '''ruby octopus''', a preferred common name due to the abundance of octopus species colloquially known as red octopus<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cosgrove |first1=James |last2=McDaniel |first2=Neil |date=2009 |title=Super Suckers: The giant Pacific octopus and other cephalopods of the Pacific coast |publisher=Harbour Publishing |isbn=9781550174663}}</ref>) is the most commonly occurring shallow-water [[octopus]] on much of the [[North America]]n West Coast and a ubiquitous [[Benthos|benthic]] [[Predation|predator]] in these habitats.<ref name="onth08">Onthank, K.L. (2008). {{cite web |url=http://people.wallawalla.edu/~david.cowles/Theses/Onthank_Thesis_Final_2008.pdf |title=Aerobic metabolism and dietary ecology of ''Octopus rubescens''. }}&nbsp;{{small|(2.4&nbsp;MB)}} . M. Sc. Walla Walla University, College Place, WA: 91</ref> Its range extends from the southern [[Gulf of California]] to at least the [[Gulf of Alaska]], but may also occur in the western [[Pacific Ocean]]. ''O. rubescens'' occurs [[intertidal]]ly to a depth of {{Convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="hoch">Hochberg, F.G. (1997). ''Octopus rubescens''. Proceedings of the workshop on the fishery and market potential of octopus in California. Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC).</ref>
'''''Octopus rubescens''''' (commonly the '''East Pacific red octopus''', also known as the '''ruby octopus''', a preferred common name due to the abundance of octopus species colloquially known as red octopus<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cosgrove |first1=James |last2=McDaniel |first2=Neil |date=2009 |title=Super Suckers: The giant Pacific octopus and other cephalopods of the Pacific coast |publisher=Harbour Publishing |isbn=9781550174663}}</ref>) is the most commonly occurring shallow-water [[octopus]] on much of the [[North America]]n West Coast and a ubiquitous [[Benthos|benthic]] [[Predation|predator]] in these habitats.<ref name="onth08">Onthank, K.L. (2008). {{cite web |url=http://people.wallawalla.edu/~david.cowles/Theses/Onthank_Thesis_Final_2008.pdf |title=Aerobic metabolism and dietary ecology of ''Octopus rubescens''. }}&nbsp;{{small|(2.4&nbsp;MB)}} . M. Sc. Walla Walla University, College Place, WA: 91</ref> Its range extends from the southern [[Gulf of California]] to at least the [[Gulf of Alaska]], but may also occur in the western [[Pacific Ocean]]. ''O. rubescens'' occurs [[intertidal]]ly to a depth of {{Convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="hoch">{{Cite book |last=Hochberg |first=F.G. |title=Octopus rubescens. Proceedings of the workshop on the fishery and market potential of octopus in California |publisher=[[Smithsonian Institution]] |year=1997 |location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref>


==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
In the years prior to the description of this species in 1953, ''O. rubescens'' was widely considered to be a young ''[[Enteroctopus dofleini]]''. Many early descriptions were based on a combination of ''O. rubescens'' and ''E. dofleini''.<ref name="hoch"/><ref name="hoch98">Hochberg, F.G. (1998). ''Octopus rubescens''. In: P.V. Scott & J.A. Blake (Eds.) ''Taxonomic Atlas of the Benthic Fauna of the Santa Maria Basin and the Western Santa Barbara Channel: Vol. 8''. (pp. 213–218). Santa Barbara, California, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.</ref> To date, the taxonomy of this species remains somewhat unresolved. S.S. Berry’s 1953 description is in truth a brief diagnosis,<ref name="berry">Berry, S.S. 1953. Preliminary diagnoses of six west American species of ''Octopus''. ''Leaflets in Malacology'' '''1''':51–58.</ref> and considering the exceptionally wide range of the species, the animals currently covered under ''O. rubescens'' may prove to represent several [[subspecies]] or a [[species complex]].
In the years prior to the description of this species in 1953, ''O. rubescens'' was widely considered to be a young ''[[Enteroctopus dofleini]]''. Many early descriptions were based on a combination of ''O. rubescens'' and ''E. dofleini''.<ref name="hoch"/><ref name="hoch98">Hochberg, F.G. (1998). ''Octopus rubescens''. In: P.V. Scott & J.A. Blake (Eds.) ''Taxonomic Atlas of the Benthic Fauna of the Santa Maria Basin and the Western Santa Barbara Channel: Vol. 8''. (pp. 213–218). Santa Barbara, California, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.</ref> To date, the taxonomy of this species remains somewhat unresolved. S.S. Berry’s 1953 description is in truth a brief diagnosis,<ref name="berry">{{Cite journal |last=Berry |first=S.S. |year=1953 |title=Preliminary diagnoses of six west American species of Octopus |journal=Leaflets in Malacology |volume=1 |pages=51–58}}</ref> and considering the exceptionally wide range of the species, the animals currently covered under ''O. rubescens'' may prove to represent several [[subspecies]] or a [[species complex]].


==Size and description==
==Size and description==
[[File:Redocto.jpg|thumb|left|''O. rubescens'' in captivity]]
[[File:Redocto.jpg|thumb|left|''O. rubescens'' in captivity]]
''O. rubescens'' generally grows to a mantle length of {{Convert|8|-|10|cm|abbr=on}}, and arm length of {{Convert|30|-|40|cm|abbr=on}}. Adult weight is generally {{Convert|100|-|150|g|abbr=}}, but animals up to {{Convert|400|g|oz|abbr=}} in weight have occasionally been observed.<ref name="dor">Dorsey, E.M. (1976). Natural history and social behavior of ''Octopus rubescens'' (Berry). M. Sc. University of Washington, Seattle, WA: 44.</ref><ref name="hoch"/>
''O. rubescens'' generally grows to a mantle length of {{Convert|8|-|10|cm|abbr=on}}, and arm length of {{Convert|30|-|40|cm|abbr=on}}. Adult weight is generally {{Convert|100|-|150|g|abbr=}}, but animals up to {{Convert|400|g|oz|abbr=}} in weight have occasionally been observed.<ref name="dor">{{Cite journal |last=Dorsey |first=E.M. |date=1976 |title=Natural history and social behavior of Octopus rubescens (Berry) |journal= |location=Seattle, WA |publisher=[[University of Washington]] |page=44}}</ref><ref name="hoch"/>


Like all octopuses, ''O. rubescens'' can change its color and texture, making its appearance highly variable. Color can vary from a deep brick red, to brown, to white, or mottled mixtures of the three. It can be easily confused with small individuals of ''[[Enteroctopus dofleini]]'' in the northern end of this species' range. The two can be differentiated by the presence of three eyelash-like [[Papilla (fish anatomy)|papillae]] below the eyes of ''O. rubescens'' that are absent in ''E. dofleini''.<ref name="and06">Anderson, R.C. (2006). "On West Coast Octopuses including a field key to west coast species." ''The Festivus'' '''38'''(1): 5–6.</ref>
Like all octopuses, ''O. rubescens'' can change its color and texture, making its appearance highly variable. Color can vary from a deep brick red, to brown, to white, or mottled mixtures of the three. It can be easily confused with small individuals of ''[[Enteroctopus dofleini]]'' in the northern end of this species' range. The two can be differentiated by the presence of three eyelash-like [[Papilla (fish anatomy)|papillae]] below the eyes of ''O. rubescens'' that are absent in ''E. dofleini''.<ref name="and06">Anderson, R.C. (2006). "On West Coast Octopuses including a field key to west coast species." ''The Festivus'' '''38'''(1): 5–6.</ref>

Revision as of 16:34, 27 April 2023

East Pacific red octopus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Octopoda
Family: Octopodidae
Genus: Octopus
Species:
O. rubescens
Binomial name
Octopus rubescens
Berry, 1953
Synonyms
  • Octopus punctatus
    Gabb, 1862
  • Polypus hongkongensis
    Hoyle, 1885
  • Octopus dofleini
    Wülker, 1910
  • Polypus dofleini
    Wülker, 1910
  • Polypus apollyon
    Berry, 1912
  • Paroctopus apollyon
    Berry, 1912
  • Polypus gilbertianus
    Berry, 1912
  • Octopus gilbertianus
    Berry, 1912
  • Octopus pricei
    Berry, 1912
  • Octopus apollyon
    Berry, 1913
East Pacific red octopus, rescued from a gull near Los Osos, California

Octopus rubescens (commonly the East Pacific red octopus, also known as the ruby octopus, a preferred common name due to the abundance of octopus species colloquially known as red octopus[1]) is the most commonly occurring shallow-water octopus on much of the North American West Coast and a ubiquitous benthic predator in these habitats.[2] Its range extends from the southern Gulf of California to at least the Gulf of Alaska, but may also occur in the western Pacific Ocean. O. rubescens occurs intertidally to a depth of 300 m (980 ft).[3]

Taxonomy

In the years prior to the description of this species in 1953, O. rubescens was widely considered to be a young Enteroctopus dofleini. Many early descriptions were based on a combination of O. rubescens and E. dofleini.[3][4] To date, the taxonomy of this species remains somewhat unresolved. S.S. Berry’s 1953 description is in truth a brief diagnosis,[5] and considering the exceptionally wide range of the species, the animals currently covered under O. rubescens may prove to represent several subspecies or a species complex.

Size and description

O. rubescens in captivity

O. rubescens generally grows to a mantle length of 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in), and arm length of 30–40 cm (12–16 in). Adult weight is generally 100–150 grams (3.5–5.3 oz), but animals up to 400 grams (14 oz) in weight have occasionally been observed.[6][3]

Like all octopuses, O. rubescens can change its color and texture, making its appearance highly variable. Color can vary from a deep brick red, to brown, to white, or mottled mixtures of the three. It can be easily confused with small individuals of Enteroctopus dofleini in the northern end of this species' range. The two can be differentiated by the presence of three eyelash-like papillae below the eyes of O. rubescens that are absent in E. dofleini.[7]

Diet and foraging behavior

O. rubescens is a generalist predator and has been maintained on a wide variety of gastropods, bivalves, crabs, and barnacles in the lab.[6] So far, very little quantification of its diet in the wild has been made The two studies on the subject determined diets in Puget Sound, Washington to be dominated by gastropods, particularly Nucella lamellosa[2] and Callianax alectona, but also composed of clams, scallops, and crabs.[8] The planktonic larvae of O. rubescens have also been observed in the wild to consume krill.[9]

As part of its feeding behavior, O. rubescens will pounce on prey and display a stereotypical sequence of color changes at the moment of capture.[10] Following the capture of bivalve prey, it will often drill a hole through the shell to deliver venom and more easily open the shell. The octopuses will often concentrate their drill holes near the adductor muscles of the bivalve prey.[11]

A recent study[when?] has suggested O. rubescens may choose prey based on fat digestibility rather than on the amount of calories the octopuses are able to obtain from the food items.[12] If this is true, the authors further argue, this would make O. rubescens a specialist predator by some measures rather than a generalist due to its specific nutrient requirements.

Other behavior

O. rubescens was the first invertebrate in which individual personalities were demonstrated.[13]

References

  1. ^ Cosgrove, James; McDaniel, Neil (2009). Super Suckers: The giant Pacific octopus and other cephalopods of the Pacific coast. Harbour Publishing. ISBN 9781550174663.
  2. ^ a b Onthank, K.L. (2008). "Aerobic metabolism and dietary ecology of Octopus rubescens" (PDF). (2.4 MB) . M. Sc. Walla Walla University, College Place, WA: 91
  3. ^ a b c Hochberg, F.G. (1997). Octopus rubescens. Proceedings of the workshop on the fishery and market potential of octopus in California. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.
  4. ^ Hochberg, F.G. (1998). Octopus rubescens. In: P.V. Scott & J.A. Blake (Eds.) Taxonomic Atlas of the Benthic Fauna of the Santa Maria Basin and the Western Santa Barbara Channel: Vol. 8. (pp. 213–218). Santa Barbara, California, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
  5. ^ Berry, S.S. (1953). "Preliminary diagnoses of six west American species of Octopus". Leaflets in Malacology. 1: 51–58.
  6. ^ a b Dorsey, E.M. (1976). "Natural history and social behavior of Octopus rubescens (Berry)". Seattle, WA: University of Washington: 44. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ Anderson, R.C. (2006). "On West Coast Octopuses including a field key to west coast species." The Festivus 38(1): 5–6.
  8. ^ Anderson, R.C., P.D. Hughes, J.A. Mather & C.W. Steele (1999). "Determination of the diet of Octopus rubescens though examination of its beer bottle dens in Puget Sound." Malacologia 41(2): 455–460.
  9. ^ Laidig, T.E., Adams, P.B., Baxter, C.H. & Butler, J.L. (1995). Feeding on euphausiids by Octopus rubescens. California Fish and Game Technical Report 81(2): 77–79.
  10. ^ Warren, L. R., Scheier, M. F. & Riley, D.A. (1974). Colour changes of Octopus rubescens during attacks on unconditioned and conditioned stimuli. Animal Behaviour 22(1): 211–219. doi:10.1016/S0003-3472(74)80071-0
  11. ^ Anderson, R. C., Sinn, D. L. & Mather, J.A. (2008). "Drilling localization on bivalve prey by Octopus rubescens Berry, 1953 (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae)" (PDF). The Veliger 50(4): 326–328.
  12. ^ Onthank, K.L. and Cowles, D.L. (2011). Prey selection in Octopus rubescens: Possible roles of energy budgeting and prey nutritional composition. Marine Biology 158(12): 2795–2804. doi:10.1007/s00227-011-1778-4
  13. ^ Mather, J.A. & R.C. Anderson (1993). "Personalities of Octopuses (Octopus rubescens)." Journal of Comparative Psychology 107(3): 336–340.