Two new studies argue that octopuses and squids use their limbs to "taste by touching." Researchers say that suckers on the animals' limbs act as receptors that allow them to "taste" surface chemicals.
- The
nervous systems, brains, and sensory systems of cephalopods are
distinct from many other animals, with octopuses having more neurons in
their limbs than in their brains.
- In the first study,
researchers analyzed the octopus genome and found a set of 26 genes
that could be combined in millions of different five-part combinations
to detect different tastes.
- This genetic tool allows octopuses to effectively taste by touching since their brains are not involved in the process.
- The second study explores how these chemical receptors emerged in cephalopods.
- The
researchers found that the receptors evolved independently
since octopuses and squids began their separate evolution some 300
million years ago.
- The authors argue that squids and octopuses
each developed adaptive features that better suited their hunting
methods and their prey.
- Both studies were published in Nature on April 12.
