Id like to be under the sea

In an octopus garden in the shade

Hed let us in, knows where weve been

In his octopus garden in the shade

Ringo Starr, 1969, Octopuss Garden

Its all about octopuses this summer in Walla Walla University assistant professor of biology Kirt Onthanks lab. The images to the right are screen shots from his Octopodium YouTube Channel.

Anyone can follow along with Kirt and his students during the current session at the WWU Marine Biology Station at Rosario Beach in Anacortes, Wash. Subscribe to Octopodium at ubne.ws/2tIyi0Y,which has collections of videos from several seasons.

Kirts bio on the WWU website notes hes particularly interested in ecological physiology and behavioral ecology of marine invertebrates, especially cephalopods (squid, octopus and nautilus fall in this molluscan class).

All living things must bring to bear specific physiological adaptations to survive and thrive in the environments in which they find themselves. I am particularly interested how cephalopods physiology, which is similar to that of slugs, snails and clams, has enabled this group of marine invertebrates to be active, mobile predators that compete with vertebrates. I am also interested in adaptations, behavioral and physiological to dynamic, changing environments, such as hydrothermal vents, he said in his bio.

Etcetera appears in daily and Sunday editions. Annie Charnley Eveland can be reached at annieeveland@wwub.com or afternoons at 526-8313.

Link:
WWU students find octopus study a garden of delights - Walla Walla Union-Bulletin