In the depths of the ocean, at a depth of 651 meters, researchers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute encountered one of the most extraordinary marine creatures – the glass octopus (Vitreledonella richardi). This encounter took place on an underwater seamount on the Tokelau ridge, in the Phoenix Islands archipelago (USA).
The discovery caused quite a stir among scientists, as this cephalopod species is not only very rarely seen, but also considered one of the least studied inhabitants of the deep.
Warto przeczytać:
The glass octopus owes its name to its almost complete transparency – its body is so clear that only the optic nerve, eyeballs, and digestive tract are visible. The other organs are practically invisible, making it a master of camouflage in the dark ocean depths. In footage recorded by researchers, you can spot yellow dots – these are chromatophores, cells responsible for producing pigment and allowing rapid changes in skin color to hide from predators.
Najczęściej czytane:
It grows up to 11 cm in mantle (head) length and as much as 45 cm including its tentacles. Despite its size, the glass octopus remains almost invisible to potential enemies. Interestingly, most of what scientists know about this species comes from specimens found in the stomachs of predators – live encounters are extremely rare.
Vitreledonella richardi is a typical pelagic octopus – instead of living on the seabed, it floats freely in the water column, high above the ocean floor. Its unique structure and lifestyle mean it still hides many secrets, and every new recording or observation is a true treasure for scientists.
źródło: Schmidt Ocean Institute CC BY-NC-SA
