First insights into the spatial behaviour of Octopus vulgaris in the wild using acoustic telemetry

Abstract

Abstract Octopuses are amongst the most fascinating animals in our oceans; however, while their intricate behaviours are often studied in laboratory settings, basic aspects of their movement ecology remain unstudied in the wild. Focusing on the socio-economically important common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), this study employs, for the first time, acoustic tracking techniques to address knowledge gaps regarding the species spatial ecology within a marine protected area. A total of 24 wild O. vulgaris (13 males, 11 females) were tagged in 2022 in the National Park Maritime-Terrestrial of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia, Spain. Acoustic transmitters were externally attached to the third arm, after testing other body parts (mantle cavity). Males were on average detected on 10 times more occasions than females (49 days in males and five in females). The average activity space in the study area was large in comparison to that determined in similar studies, with 0.16 km2. Activity space between males and females as well as day and night were comparable. Tagged octopuses displayed a crepuscular activity pattern. The location of dens could be established for 15 out of 24 individuals, from which octopuses were observed to undertake regular daytime excursions. Several individuals were also found to occupy more than one den and/or switch their main dens throughout the study duration. First implications and benefits of this approach are discussed.

Keywords

• Acoustic telemetry
• Animal movement
• Spatial ecology
• Octopus vulgaris
• Tracking