Question

discuss the role played by body coloration and bioluminescence in the mating and feeding behavior of cephalopods

Answer 1

A group of number of animals called cephalopods that includes octopus,squid and cuttlefish that are skilled in the art of coloration and bioluminescence which can be used for camouflage, or to warn potential prediators ,to attracts mates or for feeding purposes .Many of these creatures have a special pigment cells called chromatophores in their skin .They can vary their color and can even create patterns by varying the size of those cells .Chromatophores are connected to the nervous system and the cells are controlled by nervous system .Cephalopopds have excellent eyesight and using their ability to sense the environment and change the color of their skin ,they match the color of their skin with the underlying seafloor .In order to lure prey ,sometimes small planktons attract to the light around the beak of the octopus .But the light can be also used to fool larger animals Squid also changes it's color when it feels threatened or disturbed .In addition to this ,many squids can produce light and control it's intensity and this phenomenon is called as bioluminescence and it is used for a wide variety of purposes .Squids and other marine cephalods to get a glow light , they bent .This causes the two chemicals inside to mix and react ,yielding a third substance that gives off light .Within an organism special light producing cells called photocytes are present inside which a substance called luciferin reacts with oxygen in the presence of an enzyme ,luciferase .A new molecule forms when the reaction is complete andin the ocean it typically glows blue to green in color .Some researches also revealed that within some cephalopods ,bioluminescence light may be produced by bacteria that live inside the animal light organs . It is used  a means of communicating in dim water or twilight region of the ocean or sea floor .They may also use to confuse or startle predators or may stun their prey or may use it as a decoy to facilitate escape or as a way to attract the unwary .It also play a part in attracting the mates Some uses bioluminescent signals on it's upper lips to attract females and some move in circles around it's mate .One or both the sex use a species specific flash pattern to attract a member of the opposite sex.