Cephalopod Operations Species List Hawaiian bobtail squid (Eurprymna scolopes) Habitat – shallow sandy bottom of the Hawaiian Islands Life span – 5 months, sexually reproductive at 2 months Maximum size – 35 mm Interesting facts – Symbiotic relationship with bacterium Vibrio fischeri. This bacteria is bioluminescent and is held within the light organ. This bacteria powered luminesce provides camouflage so they are not silhouetted by the moon at night when the animals are most active. Colonization of V. fischeri in the light organ occurs one hour after hatching, and drives the development of the light organ tissue to promote maintenance of this exclusive relationship. Research potentials – Embryonic development. Top model species for genomic studies due to fast growth, robust in culture, short life span and high fecundity. Stripped pyjama squid (Sepioloidea lineolata) Habitat – shallow sandy bottoms of the Indo- Pacific, Eastern, Western and Southern coast of Australia Life span – not well described but highly variable, approximately 8 months to 2+ years depending on water temperatures and food availability. Bret Grasse, Taylor Sakmar and others became the first biologist to close this species lifespan (egg to adult to egg) at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 2015. Maximum size – 50 mm Interesting facts and Research potential – This species has unique epidermal projections just behind their eyes, thought to help with their burying behavior. This characteristic is not understood at this time, leaving room for research into this distinctive anatomical feature. Interest in mapping the genome by Dr. Dan Roksar, OIST and other labs. Growth and culture research being published by Bret Grasse, Stephanie Bush, Taylor Sakmar; MBA/MBARI/MBL collaboration. California two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculoides) Habitat – Live in many diverse habitats found off the southern coast of California. Life span – approximately 2 years Maximum size – 180mm (ML) Interesting facts and Research potential – Flashes bright blue iridescent circles below their eyes to communicate with other octopuses or potential predators. First ever octopus genome sequence, on cover of Nature. Behavior studies. Easy to culture in laboratory settings. Dwarf or Stumpy cuttlefish (Sepia bandensis) Habitat – Shallow coastal waters with reefs and habitat with refuge. Found in Indonesia and the Philippines. Life span – 6-10 months Maximum size – 70mm (ML) Interesting facts and Research potential – Robust small species of cuttlefish that’s easy to culture in laboratory. Commonly display the “passing cloud” behavior where they pulse rhythmic bands of color over their back. Genomic, behavioral, and chromatophore research potential, among others. Other models of interest coming to MBL soon…. Flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) Short facts: Very small cuttlefish species (70mm ML) that ambles around the ocean floor using an extremely unique form of locomotion. This species is able to pulse beautiful hypnotic bands of color over its body. Bret Grasse was the first person to culture both species of this genus in aquaria. Bigfin Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana) Short Facts – This species is significantly easier to raise in laboratory conditions compared to any other non- benthic squid species. This squid reaches a large size (33cm) in as little as 5 months and has a natural life span of only 6 months. The large nerves of this species, fast life cycle, robust nature, and community behavioral characteristics make this species great for laboratory. .