The glass octopus, with its translucent body and bioluminescent organs, mesmerizes as a captivating marvel of the deep sea.
Photo Source: Video screenshot courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute
The glass octopus, scientifically named Vitreledonella richardi, is a cephalopod, part of the mollusk family. Marine scientists first discovered glass octopuses in 1918, but they remain largely mysterious because they’re incredibly difficult to capture and study. Because there’s little live footage available, researchers have had to study the animal by examining specimens found in the stomachs of predators. Marine scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute, a research organization focused on studying the ocean, were on a research vessel near the Phoenix Islands Archipelago. During their expedition, they were lucky enough to spot the glass octopus twice. A news article about their discovery has been published on the website of the Schmidt Ocean Institute.
The octopus, known as Vitreledonella richardi, has only a few visible features – its optic nerve, eyeballs and digestive tract.
Photo Source: Schmidt Ocean Institute
The team embarked on a 34-day journey to explore the remote Phoenix Islands, an archipelago situated in the Central Pacific Ocean, over 5,000 kilometers northeast of Sydney, Australia. Using the SuBastian, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) also known as an underwater robot, researchers investigated nine unmapped seamounts, documenting over 180 hours of footage. They came across the elusive glass octopus twice during the expedition: first on June 24 and then on July 3, at depths of 870 and 950 meters respectively.
In the initial sighting, a through the water, while the second sighting showed two glass octopuses intertwined. This led to speculation about whether the behavior observed was related to predation or reproduction, phenomena never previously witnessed in this species.
The glass octopus is a remarkable creature that is almost entirely transparent, except for its eyes, optic nerve, and digestive tract. Their cylindrical eyes are thought to make them less visible from below, helping them avoid predators, and they also have bioluminescent organs that they use to confuse or distract threats. They eat small crustaceans, fish, and other invertebrates, and can grow up to 45 centimeters long.
Dr. Jyotika Virmani, executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, remarked in a statement on the expedition that it serves as a notable illustration of the advancements in science and exploration that they are capable of backing, in collaboration with scientists and local researchers.
The glass octopus isn’t just captivating; it’s a vital component of the ocean ecosystem. It serves as prey for larger creatures like sharks and whales, contributing to the balance of the food chain. Moreover, its transparent skin and ability to glow in the dark could hold promise for innovative uses in fields like nanotechnology and optics.
The underwater robot SuBastian that captured the footage of glass octopus.
Photo Source: Schmidt Ocean Institute
– Prasanna Tamang
Ankuram Academy (2023)
