(Photo by Neil Liddle)
Pfeffer’s flamboyant cuttlefish, (Metasepia pfefferi) displays stunning changing colors and patterns and actually “walks” along the bottom of the sea (the only one known to do so). M. pfefferi has a maximum mantle length of 6-8 cm with 3 pairs of flap-like fleshy papillae (fleshy nipple-like protuberances) and a V-shaped ventral (underside) fleshy ridge. This cuttlefish also has large violet oblique V-shaped patches on both sides of the dorsal mantle. Papillae are also present over the eyes. The papillae are used for camouflage to break up the outline of the cuttlefish. Pfeffer’s flamboyant cuttlefish undergoes incredible color changes possible due to three types of structures contained within its skin, called chromatophores, leucophores and iridophores, which are small structures filled with colored ink which can be rapidly expanded and contracted to communicate or are used as camouflage within its habitat. These structures allow the cuttlefish to rapidly reflect a myriad of colors and change the textures of their skin.
(Source)
08
October
#pfeffer's flamboyant cuttlefish #pfeffers flamboyant cuttlefish #flamboyant cuttlefish #cuttlefish #cephalopod #cephalopods #the ocean #ocean #the sea #sea #marine #marine biology #biology #marine animals #marine life #marine photography #sea creatures #underwater #underwater photography #weird #colorful #pretty #cool #flamboyant
