Optic gland

The optic glands are endocrine organs in the octopus and squid that play a role in sexual development and senescence. They lie between the brain and optic lobes.[1] The optic gland in female octopuses is associated with their maternal behavior of guarding their eggs without feeding.[2] This self-starvation results in the death of the female octopus before her eggs have hatched.[3] In captivity, some starving females also self-mutilate and entangle their arms in an apparent effort to die even faster.

Removal

Removal of the gland causes the octopus to abandon their eggs and return to feeding. [4] The female octopus then eats further, doubles its weight and doubles its lifespan.[5]

References
  1. Wells, Martin J.; Wells, J. (1972). "Optic glands and the state of the testis in Octopus". Marine Behaviour and Physiology. 1 (1–4): 71–83. doi:10.1080/10236247209386890.
  2. Wang, Z. Yan; Ragsdale, Clifton (October 8, 2018). "Multiple optic gland signaling pathways implicated in octopus maternal behaviors and death". Journal of Experimental Biology. 221 (19). doi:10.1242/jeb.185751. PMC 6198452. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  3. University of Washington News Staff (May 12, 2022). "Changes in cholesterol production lead to tragic octopus death spiral". Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  4. Wang, Z. Yan; Ragsdale, Clifton (October 8, 2018). "Multiple optic gland signaling pathways implicated in octopus maternal behaviors and death". Journal of Experimental Biology. 221 (19). doi:10.1242/jeb.185751. PMC 6198452. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  5. O'Toole, Thomas (1977-12-01). "Octopus Surgery Has a Surprising End: Longer Life". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
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