Nerves play an important role in the extraordinary camouflage ability of ink

Scientists at the Marine Biology Laboratory and the University of Cambridge have discovered that the cuttlefish controls the ability to stealth with a giant known little nerve circuit.

The ink is often called the chameleon of the sea, but the land-based version such as the gecko can only change its color, but the ink can change the skin texture in seconds according to the museum mechanism. form. So scientists from the Marine Biology Laboratory and the University of Cambridge have discovered that cuttlefish control the ability to stealth with a giant known little nerve circuit.

Nerves play an important role in the extraordinary camouflage ability of ink Picture 1 Nerves play an important role in the extraordinary camouflage ability of ink Picture 1

Squid may seem to disappear from sight of enemies and prey by changing color and skin texture to blend into the surrounding background color.

Nerves play an important role in the extraordinary camouflage ability of ink Picture 2 Nerves play an important role in the extraordinary camouflage ability of ink Picture 2

The cuttlefish manages its stealth behavior with tiny muscles called pigments that contain hundreds of thousands of pigment granules and a fold of folds that can hide or show them clearly on the skin. Along with similar agencies, they also easily control great not only its color, but also polarizing reflected light. Besides, the nodules allow the cuttlefish to change its skin structure in three dimensions.

According to the researchers, the cuttlefish does this by introducing control signals from the brain to its skin through a peripheral neuron center called stellate ganglion thanks to Axon axon system.

Axons are nerve fibers that act as the main pathways of the nervous system. They are usually about 1 micrometer wide and in some mammals can grow to 20 micrometers, but in cuttlefish, these giant axons have a diameter of up to a millimeter - big enough to see with the naked eye.

"So, the study of neuron control of soft skin, combined with anatomical studies of new muscle groups in the ink, can create a discolored skin that can be applied to the development of new layers of soft materials apply in industry, society and medicine, "said Professor Roger Hanlon of Marine Biology Laboratory.

The study was published in iScience magazine.

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