Exploring the Effect of Age on the Reproductive and Stress Physiology of Using Dermal Hormones.

Our goal was to validate the use of dermal swabs to evaluate both reproductive and stress physiology in the California two-spot octopus, . Our objectives were to (1) use dermal swabs to evaluate glucocorticoids and reproductive hormones of ; (2) determine the influence of life stage on hormone production (glucocorticoids in all individuals; testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone in females; and testosterone in males) of reproductive ( = 4) and senescent ( = 8) individuals to determine the effect of age on hormonal patterns; and (3) determine whether these hormones change significantly in response to an acute stressor. For the stress test, individuals were first swabbed for a baseline and then chased around the aquarium with a net for 5 min.

In the line of fire: Debris throwing by wild octopuses.

Wild Octopus tetricus frequently propel shells, silt, and algae through the water by releasing these materials from their arms while creating a forceful jet from the siphon held under the arm web. These "throws" occur in several contexts at a site in Jervis Bay, Australia, including in interactions with other octopuses. Material thrown in interactive contexts frequently hits other octopuses.

Determining the effectiveness of using dermal swabs to evaluate the stress physiology of laboratory cephalopods: A preliminary investigation.

To better comprehend the physiology of cephalopods, we used a minimal invasive technique of skin mucus swabs to measure immunoreactive corticosteroids in three cephalopod species commonly kept in captivity and promoted as new model organisms: Euprymna berryi, Sepia bandensis, and Octopus chierchiae. We compared results between sexes and age classes and then evaluated their stress responses during acclimation to a new habitat. To better understand glucocorticoid production, we conducted an adrenocorticotropic hormone, using Cosyntropin (an adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) analogue) challenge with a saline control and swabbed their mantles at 15-minute intervals for 2 h.