New studies have uncovered some fascinating evidence that cuttlefish may actually wave their arms in different patterns as a way of talking to one another. Neuroscientists Sophie Cohen-Bodénès and Peter Neri from École Normale Supérieure in France came to that conclusion in their study. Specifically, they monitored the mood of the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis). These results help to illustrate the complex signaling of these marine invertebrates. It’s their eight arms, covered in suckers, and their two tentacles that are most important to the process.
The study highlights four unique waving patterns: “up,” “side,” “roll,” and “crown.” Each pattern exhibits distinct features that could communicate various messages between cuttlefish. This pioneering finding provides the basis for exploring new frontiers in revealing how these highly perceptive cephalopods communicate.
Arm Waving Patterns
Cuttlefish have eight arms lined with suckers, plus a pair of tentacles that shoot out from near their mouths. But it’s not just how they are able to manipulate these appendages, it’s the expressive movements at their command. Overall, of the four waving patterns they found, the “up” sign is the most unique.
In the “up” sign, the first pair of arms extends directly upward from the head. At the same time, the fourth pair of arms reaches up and away. The second and third arm pairs, however, undergo a dramatic twist in the center. This results in a powerful visual that grabs attention and illustrates their intention.
The “side” sign The enrollment of all limbs on one side of the body. This motion might be the cue for different social behaviors or levels of vigilance between cuttlefish. Patterns such as “roll” and “crown” even increase their possible communicative abilities. We still have to take a closer look at the nuanced nature of these trends.
Response to Video Stimuli
In fact, cuttlefish have even shown a capacity to react to video footage of their counterparts creating such waving emissions. Once cuttlefish were shown footage of their counterparts moving in any one of the four recognized styles, they jumped into action. They recreated those movements with astounding accuracy. As described in the video above, this type of interaction speaks volumes about cuttlefish social awareness and interaction, deepening our understanding of cuttlefish communication.
Studies find that these waving patterns thus serve as a communication between people. Specifically, they contribute to laying the foundations of social hierarchies amongst groups. These results highlight the complexity of cuttlefish behavior and suggest the existence of an advanced communication system that deserves more in-depth examination.
Future Directions in Research
The impacts of this study go well beyond being a passive bystander. As machine-learning applications have advanced, researchers have sought to understand what all those waving patterns mean when a cuttlefish waves like this. Such tech could help researchers gain a more meaningful understanding of their social hierarchies and interactions in the wild.
Cohen-Bodénès and Neri’s study highlights why we should keep digging deeper into the ways cephalopods communicate. Learning more about how Sepia officinalis and other species communicate will be key. It shows how smart they are and how they interact with each other socially.