Today's Target: This is a reading and discussion class. At the end of the session the participants are expected to be able to comment critically and objectively on questions related to the topic.




News Proper


Fish Mimics Octopus That Mimics Fish

ScienceDaily (Jan. 5, 2012) — Nature's game of intimidation and imitation comes full circle in the waters of Indonesia, where scientists have recorded for the first time an association between the black-marble jawfish (Stalix cf. histrio) and the mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus).

Undescribed by scientists until 1998, the talented mimic octopus is known to impersonate toxic flatfish, lionfish, and even sea snakes by creatively configuring its limbs, adopting characteristic undulating movements, and displaying bold brown-and-white color patterns. Thanks to these brazen habits, it can swim in the open with relatively little fear of predators.

The jawfish, on the other hand, is a small and timid fish. It spends most of its adult life close to a sand burrow, where it will quickly retreat upon sighting a predator.

"This is a unique case in the reefs not only because the model for the jawfish is a mimic itself, but also because this is the first case of a jawfish involved in mimicry," said Dr. Luiz Rocha, assistant curator of ichthyology at the California Academy of Sciences. "Unfortunately, reefs in the Coral Triangle area of southeast Asia are rapidly declining mostly due to harmful human activities, and we may lose species involved in unique interactions like this even before we get to know them."





Related Story... continue here...
Talented octopus dupes predators by impersonating fish

By Pamela Rutherford Reporter, BBC News


Related Stort... continue here...
Octopus And Kin Inspire New Camouflage Strategies For Military Applications

ScienceDaily (Nov. 19, 2007) — Researchers are studying the remarkable shape- and color-changing abilities of the octopus and its close relatives in an effort to understand one of nature's most remarkable feats of camouflage and self-preservation.



Discussion

Mimicry or Impersonation? How do you relate these two words? Can you mimic or impersonate someone or something? How do you do that?
Who are the best impersonators you know?

Why do we mimic or imnpersonate? Are you in favor of this? List some advantages and disadvantages of this habit.

Nature: Do you think there is a lot more about nature that we should learn and adapt? Mention some.

Camouflage Strategies: How do you understand it? Should soldiers and The Defense Ministry of every countries adapt the underwater techniques for their military programs, strategies and trainings?

What impressed you the most about these stories?