Genetic trait octopuses and humans share could boost brainpower
Octopuses share a genetic trait with humans that could account for their complex brains and intelligent behaviour, a new study has found.
The research, appearing in Science Advances, found octopuses had elevated micro-RNA levels - similar to those found in "complex" vertebrates, including Homo sapiens.
Micro-RNA helps with genetic development, enabling the evolution or production of genes that can be more specifically tailored, and thus more geared towards complexity.
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Octopuses are intelligent animals with brains similar in some ways to human. New Zealand Aquarium
Researchers found many of the octopus micro-RNAs were focused on neural development in hatchlings, suggesting they could be the trigger for the intelligent brain of the adult octopus.
However, though the octopus family appears to share this trait with humans, it doesn't stem from a common evolutionary heritage.
The last ancestor that humans and octopuses shared existed long before animals even evolved to live on the land.
The researchers said this meant cephalopods like octopuses had evolved complex brains independently - so this shared trait with humans might be a common link to intelligence.
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