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Thread: Difference Between Wonderpus and Mimic Octopus

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    SMN Publisher The Publisher's Avatar
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    Default Difference Between Wonderpus and Mimic Octopus

    Some friends of mine posted some photos of what is commonly thought to be a mimic octopus.

    Many confuse this animal with another animal called a Wonderpus, or Wunderpus photogenicus and it is really easy to do so

    Below is a photo series that shows a circular series of white markings that are clearly delineated from the surround darker tissue, which are the distinctive markings on a wonderpus. Also, the wonderpus has eyes that tend to be on elevated stalks.

    Wonderpus markings.jpg
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    Wreck Diving Moderator acelockco's Avatar
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    Wow, they are almost identical so I could see the confusion. Is that the only difference between them? Can they two mate?

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    It would be called OctoMom
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    Wreck Diving Moderator acelockco's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Publisher View Post
    It would be called OctoMom
    I would only call them OctoMom if they were really really really ugly.


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    Here's a webpage that might help too- it has side-by-side mimic and wunderpus photos

    http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/wunderpusvsmimic.html

    I've also attached a flyer describing our needs for pictures to support photo-ID work- we're collaborating with dive shops and photographers to monitor them in the wild.

    Thanks in advance for your interest and potential contributions to our collective understanding of these amazing animals!

    take care,
    Crissy
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    Last edited by mucktopus; 07-31-2010 at 12:14 PM.

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    Crissy, I saw that too when I was doing the initial research....that was a REALLY slick find, thanks for sharing it with all...

    Great user name by the way, I got a good laugh out of it! I am into the wee critters too and am looking forward to testing out my new underwater tripod for the HD videocam and new +5 achromatic diopter.
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Publisher View Post
    new underwater tripod for the HD videocam and new +5 achromatic diopter.
    oooh! very nice!

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