Mon Sep 23 15:08:20 UTC 2024: ## Octopuses Found to Hunt in Groups with Fish, Challenging Long-Held Beliefs
A groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature has revealed a surprising truth about octopuses – they don’t always hunt alone. In fact, some species of octopus, like the “big blue” or day octopus (Octopus cyanea), actively engage in hunting groups with various reef fish, challenging the long-held belief that these intelligent creatures are solitary.
The research, conducted off the coast of Eilat, Israel, involved tracking 13 octopuses over 120 hours using underwater cameras. Observations showed octopuses participating in hunts with groups of two to 10 fish, including species like groupers and goatfish. These hunts were not strictly led by the octopuses, but they actively influenced the group’s behavior.
Interestingly, the octopuses were seen “punching” fish to enforce social order, especially those that tried to exploit the group’s efforts. These punches acted as a signal to keep the group moving and searching for prey. The octopuses seemed to prefer fish that actively explored the environment and helped locate prey, suggesting they recognized the value of different fish partners.
The study suggests that both octopuses and fish benefit from these collaborative hunting expeditions. The fish gain access to prey hidden in crevices, while the octopus, being able to follow the fish, avoids the effort of individual hunting.
The study also suggests that octopuses may be capable of making decisions within these hunting groups, specifically choosing to follow fish that are more effective at finding prey. This finding points to a higher level of intelligence than previously thought, potentially exceeding even the social intelligence commonly observed in vertebrates.
“I think sociality, or at least attention to social information, is way more deep-rooted in the evolutionary tree than we might think,” said Eduardo Sampaio, lead author of the study.
This research challenges the traditional view of octopuses as solitary creatures and opens a new window into their social lives and intelligence. It suggests that the path to intelligence is not necessarily tied to social behavior, but rather, it can be found in unexpected forms, even in the seemingly solitary depths of the ocean.
First Piper 