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Connecting Taiwan Globally and Attracting Global Attention

English Analysis (Wisteria)

Real Flapjack Octopus: Surviving the Deep Sea Mysteries

In the depths of the Pacific Ocean, a peculiar creature thrives, the flapjack octopus. Known for its unique, pancake-like appearance, this cephalopod uses clever survival strategies to evade predators and make its home among the unexplored abyss.

This estrangely shaped creature, belonging to the Opisthoteuthidae family, sports a flattened body and umbrella-like webbing between its arms, assuring a graceful, flowing motion. Additionally, it possesses large eyes, essential for detecting prey in the dimly lit deep-sea environment. With an average size of about 4 cm across, these octopuses are small but mighty survivors of the extreme conditions that characterize the deep sea.

To maneuver through the water conserving energy, flapjack octopuses propel themselves forward by rhythmically moving their bodies and contracting their webbed arms. Ear-like fins, incredible in their independent yet coordinated movement, further aid in exploring the depths.

To evade predators, these octopuses lack ink production and the ability to alter their color quickly, characteristic of other octopus species. Instead, they rely on their ingenious camouflage and color adaptation to blend into the dark and featureless environment of the deep sea.

While the flapjack octopus is an elusive mystery of the deep sea, newly discovered species are still emerging, offering scientists new insights into the strange and bizarre creatures that inhabit the ocean's depths. The recent discovery of Opisthoteuthis carnarvonensis, with its pale or blood-red tentacles, has added to the pool of knowledge about this fascinating species.

[1] O'Shea, T. M. (2008). Deep-sea Opisthoteuthis (Octopoda: Opisthoteuthidae): taxonomic history, morphology, behavior, and biogeography. Pacific Science, 62(3), 225-246.[2] Young, L. J. (2019). Flapjack Octopus (Opisthoteuthis calypso). Retrieved from https://www.seaturtle.org/sea-otters/flapjack-octopus-opisthoteuthis-calypso/[3] Gosliner, T. M., Young, L. J., & Johnson, G. C. (2010). Deep-sea octopods and squid of the genera Grimpoteuthis, Haliphron, Opisthoteuthis, and Vampyroteuthis (Cephalopoda: Octopoda, Vampyromorphida). Zootaxa, 2572(3), 413-432.[4] Attia, E. (2017). Secret Life of Deep-Sea Octopus. Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/63923-deep-sea-octopus.html

  1. In the realm of space-and-astronomy, the unique bioluminescent properties of some deep-sea creatures, such as the flapjack octopus, might inspire new technologies for night vision and energy conservation, contributing to lifestyle advancements on Earth.
  2. As science progresses, the study of the flapjack octopus' survival strategies in the extreme conditions of the deep sea could lead to advancements in technology, specifically in robotics, enabling machines to withstand harsh environments and adapt to various terrains, enhancing our exploration and understanding of space.

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