Octopuses rewrite their own genes to survive freezing temperatures
The California two-spot octopus (Bimaculoides) is the first octopus species to have its genome sequenced and is very helpful for studying cephalopods. Roger T. Hanlon Octopuses can do it all, from their signature camouflage to chucking shells at other octopuses, but one major thing they can’t do is thermoregulate. Changes in water temperature can threaten their powerful brains due to this quirk of evolution, but they still manage to handle it. [Related: Pygmy zebra octopus stripe patterns are as unique as human fingerprints.] A study published June 8 in the journal Cell shows that two-spot octopuses adapt to seasonal shifts in temperature by producing different neural proteins. They accomplish this by editing their RNA—the messenger molecule between proteins and DNA. The team on this study believes that this rewiring protects their brains and...