i seriously recommend watching the entire nova documentary. cuttlefish are fucking awesome.
one aspect especially fascinating, and directly related to their amazing camouflage, is a novel solution to sexual competition. during their breeding season, female cuttlefish are jealously guarded by gangs of big strong alpha male cuttlefish. they use their amazing colours-changing cells (chromatophores) to put on displays meant show the females that they are the cream of the genetic crop. in theory, the best display gets the best reception from available females. in practice, however, the alpha males get all caught up fighting each other and guarding their harems.
meanwhile, the wily beta males, too small to participate in the sexual displays and fighting, are using their own camouflage to impersonate the colouring and posture of the female cuttlefish! they sneak past the alpha males and get it on with the available females, right under the alpha's tentacles. the females appear very receptive to this tactic. maybe sexual selection doesn't always favour brawn over brains.
*winky face*
cuttlefish trailer.
one aspect especially fascinating, and directly related to their amazing camouflage, is a novel solution to sexual competition. during their breeding season, female cuttlefish are jealously guarded by gangs of big strong alpha male cuttlefish. they use their amazing colours-changing cells (chromatophores) to put on displays meant show the females that they are the cream of the genetic crop. in theory, the best display gets the best reception from available females. in practice, however, the alpha males get all caught up fighting each other and guarding their harems.
meanwhile, the wily beta males, too small to participate in the sexual displays and fighting, are using their own camouflage to impersonate the colouring and posture of the female cuttlefish! they sneak past the alpha males and get it on with the available females, right under the alpha's tentacles. the females appear very receptive to this tactic. maybe sexual selection doesn't always favour brawn over brains.
*winky face*
cuttlefish trailer.
