Behaviour and body patterns of Octopus vulgaris facing a baited trap: first-capture assessment

This study highlights for the first time individual differences in ethology and vulnerability of Octopus vulgaris (i.e. body postures, movements skin displays) facing passive baited traps. Common octopus exposed to a trap during three consecutive first-capture tests exhibited diverse behavioural pattern sequences resembling when searches hunts its wild prey. Overall, they visually recognized new objects or potential preys rapidly moved out den, exploring, grabbing approaching with arms (chemotactile exploration), capturing bait feeding on top over long periods inside trap. Simultaneously, O. displayed textural chromatic signs, regular being most frequent long-lasting, followed by broad mottle, passing cloud dark patterns. All individuals (n=8) caught at least once, although only five octopuses (62.5%) entered all tests. In addition, high variability among was observed regarding behaviour patterns tests, which might evidence different temperaments life-history traits. Differences responses level have population consequences due fisheries-induced selection, there is necessity assess how traits play an important role this species harvested small-scale fisheries.