Scientists declare that Octopuses are basically Aliens

Or their DNA is so different to any other animal on the planet they may as well be Aliens.
Scientists at the University of Chicago and the Okinawa Institute of Science took on the task of mapping the genome of the California two-spot octopus , now they have mapped the first genome and come up with some pretty impressive findings like octopuses can change their own RNA at will to cope with changing situations and they have 10,000 more genes than a human.

Octopuses are aliens — or, at least, so vastly different in their genetic makeup that they might as well be considered out of this world. Scientists recently sequenced the first genome in the Octopus Genome Project, a huge undertaking to map out the entire DNA structure of the complex cephalopod. What they found was simply incredible.
www.geek.com...

Maybe they actually are Aliens , Matt Groening called it !

originally posted by: gortex
Or their DNA is so different to any other animal on the planet they may as well be Alien.
Scientists at the University of Chicago and the Okinawa Institute of Science took on the task of mapping the genome of the California two-spot octopus , now they have mapped the first genome and come up with some pretty impressive findings like Octopuses can change their own RNA at will to cope with changing situations and they have 10,000 more genes than a human.

Octopuses are aliens — or, at least, so vastly different in their genetic makeup that they might as well be considered out of this world. Scientists recently sequenced the first genome in the Octopus Genome Project, a huge undertaking to map out the entire DNA structure of the complex cephalopod. What they found was simply incredible.
www.geek.com...

Maybe they actually are Aliens , Matt Groening called it !

octopusses or octopodes? lol

a reply to: gortex

I would believe it, they are certainly very intelligent and very alien.

I believe they are considered among the most intelligent species on the planet.

The real tragedy is that the females never survive their brood. I wonder how they might develop if they could overcome this most sorrowful trait.

I'll say it, I'm socialist for octopuses.

a reply to: gortex

Scientists declare that Octopuses are basically Aliens

I knew it! This just confirms my bias!

THEY give me the creeps like spiders to most women.

a reply to: gortex

I'd like to know how vastly different a true aliens DNA will one day look.

originally posted by: iFloButta
a reply to: gortex

I'd like to know how vastly different a true aliens DNA will one day look.

I don't know what to make of these red rain claims.

It seems to me, if we wanted to look for alien nucleotide structures, that would be a place to start.

a reply to: gortex

They are clever and the intelligence and versatility seems wasted hanging out in the seas.

'Open the damn door!!'


Helping themselves to the cookie jar:


This video is exactly what it'll look like when they reveal their true alien natures and come forth to conquer!!

octopoid intelligence is legendary. they can open jars, mimic predators, travel short distances out of water to attack prey in other aquariums (being clever enough to return to thier own tank afterwards, control every iridiphore in their body individually. they have a distributed brain, learn new behaviors at a prodigious rate, and were they to have a longer lifespan there is no doubt they would compete with humans for top dog on earth. they have everything needed to be top dog including phenomenal dexterity to facilitate complex tool creation.

the mimic octopus can impersonate several types of animal in order to fool or dissuade attackers or approach prey of their own.

octopi get bored if poorly confined and will try to escape or to play if in an enriched environment. poorly here mean in a boring environment. however if there is any even remote weakness they can and will find it and exploit it. they are notoriously hard to keep confined even by marine experts.

a reply to: Kandinsky

This video is exactly what it'll look like when they reveal their true alien natures and come forth to conquer!!

So it's started !
It could be a clever long term invasion strategy , hang around the ocean a few hundred million years then when the time is right change your DNA , head for land and just swamp us ... I pity the poor Japanese.

They do move quicker than I'd expect in that video , the time may be nigh

a reply to: cavtrooper7

THEY give me the creeps like spiders to most women.

Have I got a movie for you!

Extensive messenger RNA editing generates transcript and protein diversity in genes involved in neural excitability, as previously described, as well as in genes participating in a broad range of other cellular functions. We identified hundreds of cephalopod-specific genes, many of which showed elevated expression levels in such specialized structures as the skin, the suckers and the nervous system. Finally, we found evidence for large-scale genomic rearrangements that are closely associated with transposable element expansions. Our analysis suggests that substantial expansion of a handful of gene families, along with extensive remodelling of genome linkage and repetitive content, played a critical role in the evolution of cephalopod morphological innovations, including their large and complex nervous systems.

Link

Amazing. This would indicate there is a thought process involved.

I want to believe at some point we could all heal ourselves with our minds, adapt to fluctuating temperatures and filter out toxins by simply inducing a state of mind.

Is this a measure of intelligence or can this creature tap into nature on a level that humans cannot? If this is an eventual form of intelligence, can we as humans "evolve" to develop these traits?

Good stuff, S+F!

a reply to: gortex

Octopi (?) are really cool. I read about one that kept killing sharks at an aquarium.

a related critter; the cuttlefish and some squid use their superb control of their skin iridiphores as a weapon to dazzle a prey fish into immobility before taking the helpless prey. it is also known that these creatures use their iridphores to communicate with others of their kind.

a reply to: stormbringer1701

Agreed , the Humboldt squid is a particularly intelligent creature , fished barbarically unfortunately.

Like present day Atlanteans. Cool creatures.

Octopuses are by far my favorite animal, if that's what they. I've always have been in awe of their intelligence. I believe they are the smartest creatures on this planet by far, besides humans of course but that's just a matter of time.

a reply to: gortex

And I thought we were not only the best looking but also top of the gene pool - well at least better looking. I wonder whether we will find more species etc that are going to surprise us?

a reply to: gortex

Ever read Sphere by Michael Criton? Decent book and this reminded me of it. One of the scientists in there talks about how intelligent an Octopus is and it made me do some of my own research. I can say I have a huge respect for them.

if they had some of the genes from this Galifrean transplant they would be unstoppable:

immortal-jellyfish.com...