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Scientist hails 'incredible find' as mysterious tentacles wash up on Scottish beach
The rare deep-sea seven-arm octopus, Haliphron atlanticus, usually found below 500m, washed up on shore, highlighting unknowns about deep ocean species, experts said.
- On Sunday, local residents at Forvie National Nature Reserve in Collieston found arms with rows of suckers, which experts identified as a seven-arm octopus, Haliphron atlanticus.
- Scientists noted that these animals are deep-water dwellers found below 1,640ft, and Dr Lauren Smith, East Grampian Coastal Partnership, suggested disorientation or partial predation before remains washed ashore.
- Physical inspection found only sections of arms after the next high tide, with reserve staff noting unusually large diameters and rows of big suckers unlike common shore octopus.
- Reserve staff froze the remains soon to preserve them, and Dr Smith said samples will go to research laboratories, research groups, and potentially museums for analysis.
- The find highlights how Haliphron atlanticus, with eight arms and males having a modified reproductive arm, lives hundreds of metres deep and shows the value of community reporting.
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Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Center, 40% Right
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources are Center, 40% of the sources lean Right
40% Right
L 20%
C 40%
R 40%
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