Different abilities to regulate tissue hydration upon osmotic challenge in vitro, in the cephalopods Octopus vulgaris and O. insularis

The spatial distribution of cephalopods is influenced by salinity and temperature. In marine osmoconformers, one reason for different spatial distributions maybe the putative distinct capacity to regulate tissue hydration. Adult Octopus vulgaris (n = 6) and O. insularis (n = 6) were obtained by divers from sites along the southern and northeastern Brazilian coasts, respectively. In the laboratory, octopuses were acclimated to full-strength seawater (salinity 34), for 5-10days. They were then anesthetized (10min in 4 degrees C seawater), a portion of the second right arm was removed, and cut into three portions. Tissues were placed in control isosmotic saline (osmolality 1072mOsm/kg H2O). Fragments were weighed and transferred to either isosmotic, hyposmotic (50%), or hyperosmotic (150%) salines, and their weight was observed for 120min. Tissue from both species maintained their hydration/weight following the hyposmotic shock, but differed in their response to the hyperosmotic challenge, where hydration remained unchanged in O. insularis, but was significantly reduced in O. vulgaris. This result could partially explain why O. insularis is more abundant than O. vulgaris throughout the shallow reefs and tide pools in the warmer and salty tropical waters of the northeastern Brazilian coast.