Casper (octopus species)
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| Casper octopus | |
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The informally named Casper octopus species were first observed in 2016 in the Pacific Ocean, in waters off Hawaii.[1] Also known as the “ghost octopus”, the animals have been spotted off the coast of Ecuador and recently[when?] in Argentina as well.[2] This species is also known from the Nazca Ridge.[3]
The Casper species is new to science but it has not yet been formally described, as no specimens have yet been collected — they are only known from imagery.[1] Based on the footage, scientists have concluded that the octopus is gelatinous and contains very few muscles. Its deep sea environment offers little prey to provide the energy needed to build muscle.[4]
The species gained their informal name from their ghostly colouring and bulbous heads, reminiscent of the cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost.[5] Scientists[who?] think their white colouring may result from a lack of pigment in their food.[1] Pigment cells, know as chromatophores, would serve little purpose in the dark ocean depths where the animals reside.[4]
The Casper octopuses have short arms and lack the ‘ears’ found in the deep-sea Grimpoteuthis species (nicknamed the Dumbo octopuses).[1] Casper octopuses are believed to be the deepest dwelling octupus species without fins.[5]
Specimens have been observed on footage obtained at depths of 4,290 m (14,070 ft). It is thought that the females lay their eggs on sea sponges.[1] As these sponges grow on hard seabed features, such as manganese nodules, seabed mining are a threat to the Casper octopus.[2]
