Search Results (198)

The rapid spread of the invasive blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) in Mediterranean coastal ecosystems poses ecological and socio-economic challenges, highlighting the need to explore natural control mechanisms. We conducted controlled aquarium experiments to assess the functional size preference and feeding rates of two native Mediterranean predators: the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Two sets of trials were performed: (1) size preference experiments, in which individual predators were simultaneously offered crabs of varying sizes; and (2) ad libitum feeding experiments to estimate daily consumption rates. Octopuses consumed only the soft tissues biomass (STB, ~54% of total crab biomass), reaching maximum intake rates of 454 ± 71 gWW·d⁻¹ in adult individuals. Sea turtles ingested whole crabs, including the exoskeleton, with total consumption rates up to 815 ± 592 gWW·d⁻¹ of total biomass (TB) in adults. Subadult octopuses exhibited shorter handling times for small crabs, although neither predator showed a statistically significant size preference. Our findings indicate that both predators can consume substantial amounts of blue crab biomass, but O. vulgaris—due to its higher feeding efficiency and ecological abundance—might play a more prominent role as a natural biocontrol agent. These results provide valuable insights for integrated management strategies aimed at mitigating the ecological impact of C. sapidus in the Mediterranean. Full article

Artificial muscles translate the biological principles of motion into soft, adaptive, and multifunctional actuation. This review accordingly highlights research into natural actuation strategies, such as skeletal muscles, muscular hydrostats, spider silk, and plant turgor systems, to reveal the principles underlying energy conversion and deformation control. Building on these insights, polymer-based artificial muscles based on these principles, including pneumatic muscles, dielectric elastomers, and ionic electroactive systems, are described and their capabilities for efficient contraction, bending, and twisting with tunable stiffness and responsiveness are summarized. Furthermore, the abilities of carbon nanotube composites and twisted yarns to amplify nanoscale dimensional changes through hierarchical helical architectures and achieve power and work densities comparable to those of natural muscle are discussed. Finally, the integration of these actuators into soft robotic systems is explored through biomimetic locomotion and manipulation systems ranging from jellyfish-inspired swimmers to octopus-like grippers, gecko-adhesive manipulators, and beetle-inspired flapping wings. Despite rapid progress in the development of artificial muscles, challenges remain in achieving long-term durability, energy efficiency, integrated sensing, and closed-loop control. Therefore, future research should focus on developing intelligent muscular systems that combine actuation, perception, and self-healing to advance progress toward realizing autonomous, lifelike machines that embody the organizational principles of living systems. Full article

Soft robotics provides compliance, safe interaction, and adaptability that rigid systems cannot easily achieve. The octopus offers a powerful biological model, combining reversible suction adhesion, continuum arm motion, and reliable performance in wet environments. This review examines recent octopus-inspired soft grippers through three functional dimensions: structural and sensing devices, control strategies, and AI-driven applications. We summarize suction-cup geometries, tentacle-like actuators, and hybrid structures, together with optical, triboelectric, ionic, and deformation-based sensing modules for contact detection, force estimation, and material recognition. We then discuss control frameworks that regulate suction engagement, arm curvature, and feedback-based grasp adjustment. Finally, we outline AI-assisted and neuromorphic-oriented approaches that use event-driven sensing and distributed, spike-inspired processing to support adaptive and energy-conscious decision-making. By integrating developments across structure, sensing, control, and computation, this review describes how octopus-inspired grippers are advancing from morphology-focused designs toward perception-enabled and computation-aware robotic platforms. Full article

This study investigates the potential of an undervalued cephalopod species, Eledone moschata, for producing a freeze-dried protein concentrate via acid solubilisation and isoelectric precipitation. Although nutritionally rich, the processing route significantly affected the aggregation state of the recovered proteins, as demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and SDS–PAGE electrophoresis. We systematically examined pretreatments of the lyophilised protein concentrate (PC) by dispersing it across a pH range (2–10) and applying ultrasonication (US), characterising the resulting aggregates in terms of protein solubility, surface hydrophobicity, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and ζ-potential. Subsequently, ultrasound-treated protein dispersions at different pH values were used to produce protein–quercetin nanoparticles (PQ), which were analysed for particle size (DLS), yield, and quercetin entrapment efficiency. PQ dispersions at pH 2, 4, and 7 were evaluated as stabilising agents in US-treated sunflower oil emulsions containing 10% oil and were characterised by rheological properties, microstructure, and DLS particle sizing. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) revealed that nanoparticles at pH 2 produced small, uniformly distributed fat droplets with a particle diameter of 1.5 μm. This study provides insights into how processing conditions modulate the structural and interfacial behaviour of cephalopod proteins and highlights their potential application in designing low-fat, fluid emulsions for innovative food formulations. Full article

To evaluate the aquaculture potential of Amphioctopus kagoshimensis, we investigated the reproductive biology, embryonic development, and early paralarval morphology of Amphioctopus kagoshimensis under controlled laboratory conditions. Each adult specimen collected from the coastal waters of Fujian Province spawned approximately 4000–5000 eggs (mean ± SD: 4375 ± 478 eggs), with an overall hatching rate of 75% ± 10% (n = 2). Embryonic development lasted approximately 30 days at 22.0–24.5 °C and followed a classical 20-stage pattern. Hatchlings measured an average mantle length of 1.4 ± 0.1 mm and exhibited a merobenthic strategy, characterized by planktonic paralarvae with progressive morphological differentiation. The chromatophores appeared progressively on the head, mantle, arms, and funnel, with numbers increasing from 5 to 23 per arm by 30 days post-hatching. Paralarvae demonstrated active swimming, feeding behavior, and arm sucker development during rearing. By day 30, mantle length reached 2.5 mm, with significant growth in arm length and behavioral complexity. Its relatively small adult size (mantle length 8 cm), a moderate egg size (2.6 mm), fecundity and successful artificial incubation and 30-day paralarvae seedling suggested it may be a suitable model species for developmental studies and potential candidate for merobenthic octopod aquaculture in East Asia. Full article

Pacific pygmy octopus Paroctopus digueti is a promising model for cephalopod research and aquaculture; its feeding and nutritional biology remain poorly understood. The anterior salivary glands (ASG), posterior salivary glands (PSG), and digestive gland (DG) are central to these processes, but molecular comparisons are lacking. To address this gap, we performed a transcriptomic study to explore the enzymatic repertoire and functional specialization of these tissues. Total RNA was extracted from ASG, PSG, and DG of three pre-adult individuals collected in La Paz Bay, Mexico. RNA-Seq libraries were sequenced, and a non-redundant multi-tissue transcriptome was assembled. The ASG displayed high expression of neuropeptides, playing a role in neuroendocrine regulation. The PSG showed elevated protease expression, supporting its function in extracellular digestion, alongside toxins that reinforce its role as a venom gland. The DG was enriched in proteins linked to biomolecule catabolism and antimicrobial peptides, alluding to metabolic specialization and immune defense. These results were validated by qPCR, and target genes were also amplified in Octopus maya and O. hubbsorum, showing some similarities in expression patterns. Overall, our findings suggest strong glandular specialization in P. digueti, providing insights into cephalopod digestive physiology and supporting its value as a model species. Full article

Ciliate infestations in aquatic organisms are commonly associated with aquaculture, yet their impact on natural ecosystems remains largely understudied. This study describes a mobilid peritrich species infesting the gills of Octopus bimaculatus from the Gulf of California, Mexico. All 76 examined hosts (100%) exhibited infestation, with a mean intensity of 687 ± 228 (279–1077) urceolariid cells per gill. The ciliate cells displayed morphological traits consistent with those of the genus Urceolaria: turban-shaped cells measuring 44.2 ± 13.2 (31.3–88.6) µm in diameter; an adhesive disc of 36.5 ± 10.7 (29.2–74.6) μm in diameter; 18–19 plates measuring 11.0 ± 0.86 (9–12) µm in length; and 166–169 radial pins. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences placed this species within the genus Urceolaria, a sister group to Urceolaria urechi and Urceolaria serpularum, with a genetic distance of 1.0% with respect to the previously described species. Combined morphological and molecular data support the description of a new species, Urceolaria carmenae n. sp. This is the first record of a mobilid peritrich in cephalopod mollusks, thereby enhancing our understanding of the diversity of ciliates among marine invertebrates in their natural habitats. Full article

Natural bioactive chemicals sourced from marine species have attracted growing interest due to their immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and gut microbiota-regulating characteristics. These chemicals, especially peptides, offer therapeutic approaches for addressing inflammation, immunological dysfunction, and intestinal barrier disturbance, which are frequently observed in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This review centers on current discoveries about marine-derived peptides from octopus, sea conch, and scallop. These substances have demonstrated a considerable ability to restore intestinal integrity, regulate immune cell function, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, and rebalance dysbiotic gut microbiota. We consider several in vivo scenarios, encompassing dextran sulphate sodium (DDS)-induced colitis and cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. These compounds raise the expression of tight junction proteins (including ZO-1 and occludin), boost the production of mucin, and encourage the growth of good bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae. Their effects are mechanistically associated with the inhibition of critical inflammatory pathways (e.g., Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4)) and the modulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. These versatile bioactives can serve as dietary supplements or complementary therapies for gastrointestinal and cancer-related issues. This review emphasizes the therapeutic potential of marine peptides, concentrating on gut–immune–microbiota interactions, as well as exploring future avenues for clinical translation and drug development Full article

Autonomous navigation in GPS-denied, unstructured environments such as murky waters or complex seabeds remains a formidable challenge for robotic systems, primarily due to sensory degradation and the computational inefficiency of conventional algorithms. Drawing inspiration from the robust navigation strategies of marine species such as the sea turtle’s quantum-assisted magnetoreception, the octopus’s tactile-chemotactic integration, and the jellyfish’s energy-efficient flow sensing this study introduces a novel neuromorphic framework for resilient robotic navigation, fundamentally based on the co-design of marine-inspired sensors and event-based neuromorphic processors. Current systems lack the dynamic, context-aware multisensory fusion observed in these animals, leading to heightened susceptibility to sensor failures and environmental perturbations, as well as high power consumption. This work directly bridges this gap. Our primary contribution is a hybrid sensor fusion model that co-designs advanced sensing replicating the distributed neural processing of cephalopods and the quantum coherence mechanisms of migratory marine fauna with a neuromorphic processing backbone. Enabling real-time, energy-efficient path integration and cognitive mapping without reliance on traditional methods. This proposed framework has the potential to significantly enhance navigational robustness by overcoming the limitations of state-of-the-art solutions. The findings suggest the potential of marine bio-inspired design for advancing autonomous systems in critical applications such as deep-sea exploration, environmental monitoring, and underwater infrastructure inspection. Full article

Cooking liquor (CL) from marine species processing has been reported to include a wide range of valuable constituents. In this study, the chemical composition of CL from octopus (Octopus vulgaris) processing, with and without a filtration process, was analysed. Regarding non-filtered CL, values of 15.30, 0.29, 8.85 and 174.53 g·L⁻¹ CL for protein, lipids, ash, and total volatile base-nitrogen (TVB-N), respectively, were detected. The most abundant fatty acids (FAs) (g·100 g⁻¹ total FAs) were C16:0 (37.8), C18:0 (20.8), and C22:6ω3 (13.4). Values of 0.40 and 2.10 were obtained for polyunsaturated FA/saturated FA and ω3 FA/ω6 FA ratios. Macroelement content varied from 0.036 (Ca) to 1.81 (Na) g·L⁻¹ CL. For microelements, values ranged between 0.0015 (Co) and 1.95 (As) mg·L⁻¹ CL. Industrial filtration of CL led to decreased values of protein, lipid, ash, TVB-N, and C22:5ω3; in contrast, an increased presence of C14:0, C18:1ω9, C20:1ω9, and C22:1ω9 was detected. Filtration led to a ca. 50% decrease in macroelement presence. For microelements, this process led to losses of 20–40% (Ba, Pb), 40–60% (As, Fe, Mn), 60–70% (Co, Zn), and 84% (Cd). This study provides a first comprehensive characterisation of octopus cooking liquor as a potential source of bioactive compounds. Full article

Vibrio is a genus of ubiquitous aquatic bacteria that includes numerous pathogenic species. Their remarkable genomic plasticity and rapid evolution make them of particular interest from both clinical and ecological perspectives. Successful infection by Vibrio species often relies on multiple virulence factors, including secreted enzymes. Here, we report the characterization of a novel environmental Vibrio strain isolated from a wild octopus that developed fulminant septicaemia accompanied by widespread soft tissue lysis. These severe symptoms prompted a detailed investigation into the bacterium’s identity and enzymatic profile, focused on proteases as potential virulence factors. Multi-locus sequence analysis placed the isolate within the Harveyi clade but revealed no perfect match to known strains, supporting its designation as a novel strain. Biochemical assays demonstrated strong proteolytic—including collagenolytic—activity, which makes this strain a promising source of enzymes for biotechnological applications. Full article

Octominin is a peptide derived from the Octopus minor defense protein, which has shown antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. The present study describes the efficacy of Octominin-encapsulated chitosan (CN) nanoparticles (Octominin-CNPs) on in vitro and dermal wound healing in zebrafish. Initial viability analysis revealed there was no significant toxicity of Octominin-CNPs up to 200 μg/mL in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells and in zebrafish larvae (up to 50 μg/mL). Moreover, the potential wound healing activity of Octominin-CNPs was observed using the cell-scratch assay. In the in vivo study, wounded adult zebrafish were applied with the appropriate treatment (PBS, CNPs, Octominin, and Octominin-CNPs) 20 μg/wound/fish as a topical application at 0, 2, and 4 days post-wounding (dpw) while photographs of each wound site were taken at 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, and 21 dpw, and surface area was measured using ImageJ software (Ver. 1.8.0, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA) to calculate the wound healing percentage (WHP) and wound healing rate (WHR). From the observed results, at 4 dpw, all treatments showed a negative impact on wound healing, where the lowest WHR and the WHP were given by the negative control (NC) until the 14th day. After 7 dpw, all fish except the NC showed increased wound healing activity. Compared to the Octominin, the Octominin-CNPs showed higher activity, which was at its peak on 21 dpw. Furthermore, Octominin-CNPs suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine mRNA expression with increased wound healing efficacy, and tissue repair compared to the Octominin-alone-treated fish at 7 dpw. Together, the observed results give insights into the use of nanoencapsulation as a means of drug delivery, especially for small peptides. Full article

Understanding the distribution pattern and its drivers of species is crucial for developing effective and sustainable management strategies. Amphioctopus fangsiao is the octopus of significant commercial and ecological value along the coast of China, with multiple distinct populations. However, research on their ecological dynamics remains limited and requires further investigation. Here, ensemble models were constructed to examine the spatio-temporal distribution and inter-populational differentiation in environmental adaptability of A. fangsiao in the East China Sea (ECS) and the South Yellow Sea (SYS). Specifically, we generated the ensemble models by integrating Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), Generalized Linear Models (GLMs), and Maximum Entropy Models (MaxEnt) for the different populations across four seasons, using fishery-independent data collected from 2015 to 2021. The results revealed two hotspots of A. fangsiao in the ECS and SYS: one is the area of SYS along the coastal waters, with latitudes 33° N–34° N and longitudes 120° E–122° E (northern population, NP); the other one is near the Kuroshio-adjacent area with latitudes 28.5° N–29° N and longitudes 123° E–124.5° E (southern population, SP). Both NP and SP exhibited distinct seasonal habitat preferences, with key environmental drivers showing seasonal variations. The NP tended to inhabit coastal waters with lower sea surface heights (SSHs), shallower water depth, and a narrower sea bottom salinity range (SBS). In contrast, SP preferred marine environments with a thicker mixed layer thickness (MLT) and higher concentrations of bottom chlorophyll-a (Chl_b). The environmental characterization of suitable habitats revealed distinct patterns in resource utilization and environmental adaptation strategies between the two populations. This study provides fundamental data for understanding A. fangsiao population dynamics and underscores the importance of considering population-specific habitat preferences within dynamic marine environments. Full article

As aquaculture expands globally, understanding immune responses in non-traditional farmed species like Octopus vulgaris under varying environmental conditions is increasingly important. This study investigated lysozyme activity, a key innate immune marker, in cell-free hemolymph of O. vulgaris following experimental challenge with four Gram-negative fish pathogens (Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida, P. damselae subsp. damselae, Vibrio alginolyticus, and V. anguillarum O1) at two temperatures (21 ± 0.5 °C and 24 ± 0.5 °C). These pathogens were selected because octopus farming frequently occurs near fish aquaculture facilities, raising the potential for pathogen crossover. A total of 216 wild octopuses were injected intramuscularly or intravenously and sampled on days 0, 3, and 7 post-challenge. Lysozyme activity varied by pathogen, injection route, sampling time, and temperature. A significant time- and temperature-dependent increase was observed, especially in IM-challenged groups exposed to Photobacterium species. Elevated temperatures supported a more prolonged immune response. These results highlight lysozyme as a responsive biomarker of innate immunity in O. vulgaris and emphasize the role of environmental factors in immune modulation. This work provides a foundation for disease monitoring and health management in cephalopod aquaculture. Future research should examine long-term lysozyme dynamics, broader pathogen exposure, molecular mechanisms, and additional environmental stressors such as salinity and pollution. Full article

Bioinspired soft adhesive systems capable of stable and intelligent object manipulation are critical for next-generation robotics. In this study, a soft gripper combining an octopus-inspired suction mechanism with a frog-inspired hexagonal friction pattern was developed to enhance adhesion performance under diverse surface conditions and orientations. The hexagonal pattern, inspired by frog toe pads, contributed to improved stability against tilting and shear forces. The integrated strain gauge enabled real-time monitoring of gripping states and facilitated the detection of contact location and changes in load distribution during manipulation. The system demonstrated robust adhesion under both dry and wet conditions, with adaptability to various object geometries and inclinations. These results suggest broad potential for bioinspired gripping platforms in fields such as collaborative robotics, medical tools, and underwater systems. Full article