Dynamic Iridescence and other Colors Aquatic

From the September-backlog pile is an item about dynamic on-off iridescence in the squid loligo opalescens. Apparently the squid's reflectin proteins are modulated by acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. Which is quite remarkable, even without considering the applications to camouflage and perhaps communication.

And then one discovers there are over half a dozen octopus camouflage videos out there on the web.



And like potato chips you can't stop with just one.



Complex and subtle patterns changing with the blink of an eye.



Persisting even after death.



Leaving one to speculate that the octopus isn't reflecting what it is lying on.



But somehow reflecting what it has seen of it's surroundings.



Forget WYSIWYG, it's WYSIWYR or What You've Seen Is What You Reflect.