OCTOPUS CHROMATOPHORES

Self Organising Pattern in Nature The Design Studio focuses on self organising pattern which occur in nature. Shya Team Members Vaibhav Koul, Viraj Chauhan and Geet Sampat Octopus is the master of camouflage, it uses specialised skin cells called chromatophores to change the colour of its skin and match its background, it can make vibrant patterns with it and blend in seamlessly with its surroundings. It uses this unique ability for multiple purposes but mostly for defensive camouflage, camouflage while hunting and communicating with and signalling potential mates. The octopus seeks its prey by changing its colour as to render it like the colour of the stones adjacent to it. By controlling the size of the cells they can vary their color and even create changing patterns.

Octopus chromatophers reacting to the stimulus under microscope.

The chromatophores can be controlled in a cluster or as individuals to make diffrent patterns and merge colours to make intermediate colours. These differnces are created by the percentage of the expansion of pigment sacs and overlapping of chromatophores. The chromatophores have evolved in ways to maintain the colour changes even when there is shifting in the skin of the octopus during locomotion or texture camouage.