Ot7 Malacologia, 1988, 29(1): 153-193 Behavior and Systematics of Cephalopods from Lizard Island, Australia, Based on Color and Body Patterns

Cephalopoda were observed in situ and under laboratory conditions at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Observations on habitat, foraging and activity patterns are included. The major chromatic components and body patterns are described for Octopus cyanea, O. ornatus, Hapalochlaena spp., Metasepia pfefferi and Sepia papuensis. Components of body pattern include color, texture, posture and locomotion. A remarkable new type of locomotion, "ambling," is described for M. pfefferi. This is the first description of living M. pfefferi and S. papuensis. On the basis of body patterns, behavior and morphology, the elevation of the subgenus Metasepia to generic status is confirmed. Observations of live Hapalochlaena at Lizard Island and in Sydney and color photographs of live animals from several other localities confirm the existence of a widespread complex consisting of at least three species and support the validity of the genus. Based on observations of live animals and a systematic evaluation of preserved specimens, the presence of Octopus ornatus is reported in Australian waters for the first time.