Octopus Camouflage Could Give Us Better Sunscreen

Octopus Camouflage Could Give Us Better Sunscreen

Cephalopods like squid, octopuses, and cuttlefish are remarkably sneaky—they imitate their marine environments to evade both predators and prey. These expert camouflage skills have intrigued scientists as long ago as 350 B.C., when Aristotle took interest in octopuses’ shifting hues. We now know that this clever camouflage process involves a color-changing pigment called xanthommatin, which is also what gives some insects like butterflies their …

Scientists able to produce powerhouse pigment behind octopus camouflage

An octopus camouflaging itself against the seafloor. Image: Charlotte Seid Team discovers new method for producing large amounts of colour-changing, nature-inspired pigment in the lab By Victoria Heath Known for their ability to camouflage, octopuses, squids and other animals in the cephalopod family can change their skin colour to expertly blend in with their environment. These fascinating acts of mimicry are only made possible thanks to biolog…

Scientists Produce Powerhouse Pigment Behind Octopus Camouflage

Scientists at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography have described a new way to produce large amounts of xanthommatin, a natural pigment used in animal camouflage, in a bacterium for the first time. This breakthrough unlocks a promising pathway for designing nature-inspired materials.