It is always fascinating to do follow-ups on previous stories, especially on scientific topics as there may be progresses regarding discoveries and researchers.
Previously, we looked at octopuses as sources of inspiration and discussed the discovery of an octopus nursery located 2,800 meters below the ocean's surface near Costa Rica.
Researchers have actually documented a total of four deep-sea octopus gardens: two off the coast of Central California on Davidson Mount, and two off the coast of Costa Rica.
In 2018 researchers from NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Nautilus Live made a groundbreaking discovery. Thousands of pearl octopuses, scientifically known as Muusoctopus robustus - their nickname is due to their distinctive appearance that make the nesting individuals look like (very cute!) opalescent pearls on the seafloor while protecting their eggs - were found nesting on the deep seafloor near Davidson Seamount, an extinct volcano located 130 kilometers southwest of Monterey, California. Further research followed to unravel the mystery of what makes this Octopus Garden such a magnetic destination for deep-sea octopuses.
According to a recently published study in the journal Science Advances (the result of a research by a team comprising experts from MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute), NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of New Hampshire, and the Field Museum), octopuses migrate in significant numbers to these deep-sea thermal springs for the primary purpose of mating and nesting.
Octopuses tend to cluster around hydrothermal vents, openings in the seafloor where warm, chemically enriched fluids flow out. These vents are located approximately 3,200 meter below the ocean's surface, in an area known as the midnight zone, perpetually shrouded in darkness.
After laying their eggs (usually approximately 60 eggs each) and securing them to the bare rocks, the expectant octopus mothers (note for fashion designers: they are characterized by wonderful shades of mauve, so keep in mind these two points - the fact that they look like pearls and their colours), maintain the eggs' cleanliness and protect them from potential predators. The elevated temperatures in this environment accelerate the embryonic development of these creatures.
While the surrounding water at this depth is 1.6° C, the cracks and crevices within the octopus garden maintain a relatively warm 5°C to 10°C temperature.
Octopuses are ectotherms (cold-blooded animals), so that the frigid temperatures of the deep sea slow their metabolism as well as their rate of embryonic development. Indeed, expectations for pearl octopus eggs in this frigid environment were that they would take five to eight years, or possibly even longer, to hatch.
Instead, the warmth emanating from deep-sea thermal springs accelerates the development of octopus eggs. Researchers were surprised to find that the octopuses' eggs hatched in under two years, which was notably faster than their initial expectations as the warmth from the thermal springs appears to enhance the metabolism of female octopuses and their eggs, thereby reducing the incubation period.
It is worth noting that one deep-sea octopus species typically broods its eggs for a staggering four and a half years. In contrast, the octopuses at this hydrothermal vent site exhibit a significantly shorter brooding period, which seems to confer advantages such as higher hatch rates despite the potential risks posed by the warm water. However, it remains uncertain whether this warmth is an absolute necessity for this species' reproductive process or simply a preference. This research led scientists to conclude that the site off the coast of Monterey, California, serves exclusively as a breeding ground and nursery for these octopuses.
Octopuses are renowned for their self-sacrificial parenting behavior. Male pearl octopuses cease eating and die shortly after mating, while females strive to survive until their eggs hatch. These deceased octopuses, along with the vulnerable hatchlings, become a source of sustenance for various invertebrates such as sea anemones and sea stars that coexist in proximity to the brooding octopuses.
This Octopus Garden covers 333-hectare and researchers counted more than 6,000 octopus in a portion of the site and expect there may be 20,000 or more at this nursery.
MBARI's images and video of beautiful deep-sea octopuses, corals, vibrant sponges, and curious fishes engaged and inspired audiences worldwide, but, while Davidson Seamount and its Octopus Garden are protected as part of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, other similar sites may face vulnerability due to activities like trawling and deep-sea mining. The thriving ecosystem that surrounds it emphasize the urgency of comprehending and safeguarding such vital hubs of life on the ocean's floor. It is therefore imperative to protect and preserve them for the sake of marine biodiversity and the health of our oceans.
So, what we can do to preserve these ecosystems? Well, we should respect the planet we live on, but we can also raise awareness by promoting these researches, finding inspirations in them, and spotting connections as well with the disciplines we practice.
In that previous post about octopuses as muses, we looked at octopuses in connection with the works of a variety of designers and artists and mentioned Cinzia Ruggeri's ingenious designs. Among her creations, there's another piece that stands out - a bejeweled bulb transformed into a beaded ornament with the whimsical addition of an octopus tentacle that gives it a playful twist.
The late Italian artist and fashion and interior designer had a soft spot for octopuses and pearls as well, so you can bet she would have loved and been inspired by the super cute pearl-like Muusoctopus robustus nesting on the seafloor.
Neo Pop Surrealist artist, Philip Colbert, recently hosted an exhibition in Venice centered around two intriguing symbols - the lobster, representing mortality, and the octopus, considered a sacred symbol. His inspiration was the ancient mosaic from Pompeii depicting the intricate dance of predator and prey involving an octopus, a spiny lobster, and a moray eel.
Colbert transformed this mosaic into vibrant pop art renditions and, as a playful addition to the exhibition, an inflatable sculpture representing a cartoonish fight between a lobster and an octopus, traversed the Venetian lagoon, becoming a symbolic representation of his artistic vision.
Last, but not least, for those with an appreciation for the avant-garde fusion of fashion and marine life, check out the costume hailing from the 17th century featured in the last image in this post.
This remarkable attire is showcased in the volume titled "La Noblesse Française à l'église" (The French Nobility at Church), attributed to Abraham Bosse, based on the original work by Jean de Saint-Igny, dating back to approximately 1628-1629 and taken from the collections of the Rijksmuseum.
Bosse's artistry captures the essence of Gothic churches in Paris, portraying them not only as places of deep spirituality but also as hubs of fashion and elegance.
In one of these intricate engravings, a lady graces the scene, adorned in a magnificent hood or veil that forms a sort of bulbous shape around her head that, paired with the voluminous sleeves of her costume, evokes the configuration and shape of marine creatures such as octopuses or jellyfish, creating a correspondence with the architectural backdrop of the church the lady is solemnly walking in (consider the arches of the church and the dome-like hood she's wearing). Though rare and extravagant, this ensemble exuding an air of mystery was possibly indicative of a mourning attire and remains a testament to the era's fashion sensibilities.
Eager to explore more illustrations from this volume? Check out the collections at the Rijksmuseum, that also feature further images relating to art, costumes and architecture that may allow you to create more wonderful connections with marine creatures and the marvels of the ocean.
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