Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology have studied camouflage in the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), a master of camouflage, as a behavioral movement towards background matching in skin pattern space. Their observations indicate that the cuttlefish's camouflage system is highly flexible and adaptable, providing new insights into this complex physiological process.
“Cephalopod camouflage consists of matching the appearance of the animal with its substrate and usually contains 2D and 3D components,”
words of senior writer Dr. Gilles Laurent from the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research and his colleague.
“Meskipun kedua komponen secara teknis bersifat tekstur dalam bidang ini, istilah 'tekstur' sering kali diterapkan hanya pada fitur 3D, misalnya disebabkan oleh kontraksi papila kulit.” translates to: “Although both components are technically textural in this field, the term 'texture' is often applied only to 3D features, for example due to the contraction of skin papillae.”
“We studied the 2D camouflage feature and therefore referred to it as a skin pattern and the process as pattern matching,” they added.
“Pattern matching does not consist of reproducing the actual appearance of the substrate, but rather a statistical estimation that begins visually and creates that appearance.”
“This advanced operation was carried out instinctively by the brains of animals that were different from ours more than 550 million years ago, long before the large brain existed.” “The creation of 2D skin patterns relies on a motor system that controls the state of expansion of several million pigment cells (chromatophores) embedded in the skin of the animal, among other types of specialized cells.”
“Each chromatophore's expansion state depends on the arrangement of radial muscles that control the size of the central pigment sac and, therefore, on the activity of one to several motoneurons, dendrites, and somata located in the animal's central brain.” “Therefore, the formation of skin patterns is produced from the precise coordination and control of tens of thousands of motoneurons by a system that interprets complex visual scenes.”
Data from these maps shows that each pattern is very detailed and that the same background can produce various different outcomes.
The translation of "Proses Blanching" to English is "Blanching Process".
"It was found that the pathways to camouflage involve a form of continuous feedback and the final camouflage is the result of successive error correction steps, indicating that this process is highly adaptable and does not follow a fixed path each time. The exception to this rule occurs during the blanching process, a defense mechanism in which cephalopods become pale in response to threatening stimuli."
This process is observed as quick and direct, and the memory of the initial camouflage is recalled once the threat is withdrawn. The results of this team provide valuable insights into how these survival mechanisms interact with each other, and how the complex process of color matching is achieved at the cellular level.
“Unlike camouflage, the blanching process is carried out quickly and directly, indicating that this process uses a different and repeatable control system,”
said the author's colleague Dr. Dominic Evans, a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research.
“Cuttlefish often exceed the pattern of their target's skin, pause for a moment, and then return again,” said the first author Theodosia Woo, a graduate student at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research. “In other words, cuttlefish do not just detect the background and head straight for a specific pattern; rather, they are likely continuously receiving input about their skin pattern and using it to adjust their camouflage.”
“Exactly how they receive that feedback – whether they use their eyes, or whether they feel how contracted the muscles around each chromatophore are – we do not yet know.”
"This study was published in the journal Nature."
If This Sea Monster Were Real, Would It Actually Be a Giant European Eel?
Scientists are still questioning the existence of giant eels in the waters of Scotland's lakes.
Read MoreThis Type of Ant Can Heal Itself from Death with Its Saliva
Here are some interesting facts about the Matabele ant that can heal itself from death!
Read MoreNew Crocodile Type from Salamander Species Discovered, Tiny Size Only 6 cm!
Tylototriton is a large genus of salamanders, commonly known as crocodile water lizards, belonging to the family Salamandridae.
Read MoreScientists Discover Shrimp-Like Arthropod with Three Eyes and Strange Shape
This ancient arthropod resembling a large shrimp has three eyes on its head and a pair of terrifying appendages.
Read MoreThe Mystery of 6 Meanings of a Dream About a Friend Giving Birth to a Baby Girl That Captivates Attention
A dream about a friend giving birth to a baby girl often becomes a meaningful experience for some people.
Read MoreNew Pterosaur Species, Similar to Raptors but with Long Arms and Sword-like Claws
Here are some interesting facts about the new Pterosaur species named Venetoraptor Gassenae!
Read MorePotret Siswa SMA Tahun 1994: Salfok Cewek di Tengah, Disebut Ketua Geng
Mereka ke sekolah dengan kancing baju terbuka setengah.
Read MoreRevealing 6 Meanings of the Dream of Being Chased by a Rampaging Goat, Indicating Problems to Be Faced
This dream may depict feelings of fear, anxiety, or a sense of threat that someone may experience in daily life.
Read More7 Complete Latin Prayers After Obligatory Prayers and Their Meanings, to Seek Guidance and Protection from Him
Complete Latin Prayers After Obligatory Prayers and Their Meanings, to Seek Guidance and Protection from Him
Read MorePrayer and Remembrance to Open the Doors of Sustenance for Business from All Directions, to be Practiced Daily
In addition to working, every Muslim is also encouraged to recite prayers that open the doors of sustenance for their business.
Read MoreScientists Discover Cult Temple from Roman Era Under Parking Lot
Roman Temple from the Era of Emperor Constantine Revealed After 1,600 Years Hidden.
Read MoreThe Sunnah of the Prophet: Not Drinking After Eating, It Turns Out to Be Related to Digestive Health, Here’s the Explanation
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that not drinking after eating has its own good reasons for humans.
Read MoreWisdom and Prayer for Deceased Cats, along with Burial Procedures in Islam
Wisdom and Prayer for Deceased Cats, along with Burial Procedures in Islam
Read MoreThe Deadly Tsunami Story 8,000 Years Ago That Destroyed Nearly All Life
Recent research reveals that this deadly tsunami is called Storegga.
Read MoreViral Photo of a Runner Accidentally Encountering a Forest Ghost
However, while running on the fourth lap with Cassie, he felt a stabbing pain in his leg.
Read MoreIt Turns Out This Is the Reason the Largest Primate in the World Finally Went Extinct
Gigantopithecus blacki may not have succeeded in adapting to the changing environment.
Read More3 Longest Words in Indonesian, Including Hexakosioiheksekontaheksafobia
Here are the three longest words in Indonesian!
Read MoreSurprising Homecoming of Sadio Mane: Marrying His Dream Girl Islamically and Creating a FIFA-Class Stadium
The story of Sadio Mane's marriage to Aisha Tamba has captured public attention because both rarely publicized their relationship before.
Read More