Inked! Squid (and their relatives of class Cephalopoda) have long been known to release ink when thr

Inked!Squid (and their relatives of class Cephalopoda) have long been known to release ink when threatened by a predator. The ink acts as a smokescreen - obscuring the senses of the predator allowing the squid valuable seconds to escape their notice. Until now, this was thought to be the ink’s only function. However, scientists have discovered that at least one tiny species of squid - the Japanese pygmy squid (Idiosepius paradoxus) - utilises ink for an entirely different reason - they use it to hunt.In 2014, scientists collected 54 individuals of the species and observed their behaviour when live shrimp were introduced to their tank. They noted 17 separate instances of ink release as the squid approached its victim. Two distinct tactics were observed in particular: individuals either released ink into the space between them and their prey (before shooting through it for capture), or they released ink away from the shrimp, then came at it from a completely different angle. Scientists believe that such tactics confuse the shrimp, as the ink is used as a decoy to distract its attention.Both tactics seem to work well, as shrimp were caught by the squid in most of the observed cases (you can see this in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXJmRIa_3gg) . However, the finding is particularly exciting. Not only is it the first report of cephalopods using ink for predation, but it may also be considered as an example of tool use which - though a common occurrence in cephalopods - provides further evidence of higher intelligence.VPReferences: original paper (paywall access): http://bit.ly/1oZMFZqImage credit: Wikimedia commons (http://bit.ly/1RFBnmg) PLEASE NOTE: squid pictured is not the species mentioned. -- source link

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