Light-emitting suckers in an octopus
Article Abstract:
The light organs of squid and cuttlefish comprises complex arrangements of lenses, mirrors, irises, light guides, coloured filters and shutters. The features are rare in octopods where light organs have only been reported in breeding females of two genera. It is revealed that blue-green light comes from the suckers of Stauroteuthis syrtensis, the deep-sea finned octopod. Its function is not known but could be related to non-bioluminescent suckers signalling of shallow-water octopods. Morphology is similar to octopod suckers although radial, circular and longitudinal muscles of the infundibulum and acetabulum are reduced. The modified suckers could function as communication and attraction of potential prey.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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Butterfly anti-aphrodisiac lures parasitic wasps
Article Abstract:
A study conducted indicates that Trichogramma brassicae a type of butterfly transmits the anti aphrodisiac from male to female at the time of mating thus making the females less attractive towards other male butterflies. Once the male identifies the smell of the mated female butterfly it rides on her to the place where the female has laid eggs and sucks out the blood from the eggs, thereby curbing the population of butterflies.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2005
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Polarized light as a butterfly mating signal
Article Abstract:
It is shown that polarized light is used in mate recognition by Heliconius butterflies known to rely on visual cues in sexual selection and speciation. Certain mate-choice experiments were carried out to determine whether this polarization is involved in mate recognition.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2003
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