Social Recognition: a Top down View of Cephalopod Behaviour

SQUID ABSTRACT. – Social recognition is important to the evolution of cooperative social behavior. Available evidence indicates that at least some cephalopods show some level of social recognition: species, sex and sexual receptivity, and dominance are most likely signaled and recognized in at least some species. Cooperation, including communication, that is based on mutualism is possible. No definitive evidence as yet supports kin recognition, necessary for indirectly selected behavior, or individual recognition, necessary for reciprocity. We have only scratched the surface of cephalopod behavior; field studies coupled with carefully designed laboratory experiments are likely to provide new insights into cephalopod social recognition, cognition, and behavior.