The role of interspecific interactions between octopus and fishes during collective hunting

Collective hunting can be observed within intra- and interspecific animal groups, and generally increases the opportunities to acquire prey for all parties involved. In the present research, day octopus (Octopus cyanea) individuals were recorded in a reef ecosystem of the Red Sea while hunting with multi-specific fish groups, varying in size and composition. The present master thesis aimed at increasing our understanding of the interspecific interactions occurring during these collective foraging events, by investigating the relationships among behaviours and skin patterns exhibited by octopus and fishes while hunting. Octopus skin patterns and behaviours were found to be linked with several factors critical in shaping the status and progression of collective hunting, such as the levels of aggressive behaviour in the group, and group and individual movement, as well as the presence of certain fish species. This study provides new insights about the role of interspecific interactions between octopus and fishes during collective hunting, although further research is needed to disentangle the complex dynamics of these heterogeneous groups.