Question

The octopus can change its skin color and coordinate its body posture and movement in such a way that it resembles a fish. Predict why this behavior would evolve despite its costs.

a.) The octopus must expend energy to change its color pattern and to behave in a way that resembles a fish. The octopus mimics females of the fish, so the territory-owning male of the fish protect it from predators, and the octopus will survive and pass on its adaptive traits to the next generation.
b.) The octopus must expend energy to change its color pattern and to behave in a way that resembles a fish. But if the mimicry is successful the octopus can get near to small fish and feed on it, then the octopus will survive and pass on its adaptive traits to the next generation.
c.) The octopus must expend energy to change its color pattern and to behave in a way that resembles a fish. But if the mimicry is successful and the octopus avoids predation (by resembling a fish that is toxic or other factors that would deter predators), then the octopus will survive and pass on its adaptive traits to the next generation.

Answer 1

The octopus uses mimicry to resemble a toxic or undesirable fish, which increases its survival rate by avoiding predation, despite the energy cost involved in changing its appearance.

Step-by-step explanation:

The octopus uses its ability to change skin color and coordinate its body posture and movement to mimic certain fish species. This behavior is an example of Batesian mimicry, where a harmless species evolves to imitate the warning coloration of a harmful one. The octopus employs this strategy to avoid predation, as predators have learned to avoid prey with specific colorations due to potential toxicity or unpleasantness.

Answer choice c) is the most accurate. If the mimicry is successful and the octopus avoids predation by resembling a harmful or undesirable fish, it increases its chances of survival and the subsequent passing of its adaptive traits to offspring. This advantage outweighs the energy expenditures associated with changing color patterns and coordinating movements to look like another species.