octopus

UC Berkeley scientists have found a species of octopus whose members flirt, hold "hands", and ward off rival suitors as part of a complex mating ritual. Previously, researchers thought octopuses were fairly boring on the dating front, and didn't engage in complex behavior (which would be kind of a bummer, given that both male and female die not too long after mating). But the new work, published in Marine Biology, reveals that these slinky creatures have got their own moves.

You likely don't know Roger Hanlon by name, but you may very well have been forwarded the video clip above in the past year--which means you know his research. Dr. Hanlon studies cephalopod camouflage. In addition to controlled experiments in his lab, he has been on thousands of dives following cuttlefish, squid and octopuses through their natural habitats. Using underwater digital video cameras, he and his team are able to capture the intricate physical patterns these animals display across their bodies when they want to go unseen.