squid pearls

[SteveM]

Only now, do I realize missed opportunities with Octopus dofleni.

The eyes have it.

(Specifically, the octopus's.)

Would like to see a similar diagram for birds/eagles.

Evolved from nautiloidea, octopoda not only developed world-class vision, they figured out how to avoid calcification without creating a shell.

 

[CortezPearls]

Thanks to all for your comments...this was something "pearl-related" yet off the track. I have two of these "Calamabe" on top of my PC and they stare at me...just like Caitlin mentioned: Owl Eyes. We've caught several of these "Diablo Calamari" here on the farm, were they sometimes just come to die of wounds suffered at the hands of other fishermen or their fellow -cannibalistic- siblings. They always end up appreciated for their sweet taste: diablo tacos, spaguetthi a la calamari, barbacoa de calamar...they have an almost unlimited potential in a kitchen! But I never cared for their eyes until now...the eyes ARE the hidden Soul of any Living Being.

Too bad the Nautilus has such tiny eyes Steve! They don't use them for aggressive action, thus no need to have great vision I guess...

 

[SteveM]

Doug,

Nautilus eyes are lensless (just pinholes, seawater freely enters the socket). Pretty primitive, and it's worked for 400 million years, but NOT a conceivable origin for Nautilus pearls!

Happened upon this photo of calamabes still attached to a Teuthowenia megalops (cockatoo squid) on a NOAA site that contains ever more unfortunate information about man's effect on the environment.