The Current State of Cephalopod Science and Perspectives on the Most Critical Challenges Ahead From Three Early-Career Researchers

Caitlin E. O'Brien (1) , Katina Roumbedakis (2) , Inger E. Winkelmann (3)

1 EthoS - Ethologie animale et humaine
2 University of Sannio [Benevento]
3 UCPH - University of Copenhagen = Københavns Universitet

Here, three researchers who have recently embarked on careers in cephalopod biology discuss the current state of the field and offer their hopes for the future. Seven major topics are explored genetics, aquaculture, climate change, welfare, behavior, cognition, and neurobiology. Recent developments in each of these fields are reviewed and the potential of emerging technologies to address specific gaps in knowledge about cephalopods are discussed. Throughout, the authors highlight specific challenges that merit particular focus in the near-term. This review and prospectus is also intended to suggest some concrete near-term goals to cephalopod researchers and inspire those working outside the field to consider the revelatory potential of these remarkable creatures.

Keywords: welfare; aquaculture; behavior; cephalopod; cognition; genetics; neurobiology; climate change

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]

Caitlin E. O'Brien, Katina Roumbedakis, Inger E. Winkelmann. The Current State of Cephalopod Science and Perspectives on the Most Critical Challenges Ahead From Three Early-Career Researchers. Frontiers in Physiology, 2018, 9, pp.700. ⟨10.3389/fphys.2018.00700⟩. ⟨hal-02072353⟩