Stylet reference

[bathypol]

Sorry to be such a bother with all these questions but I have just one more (for now ) I am trying to find the first reference for stylets in octopus (supposed to be from around the early 1900's). The earliest I have been able to find is from the 1990's. Does anyone know of this reference?

 

[cuttlegirl]

How about this reference from 1908 (page 445)?
http://books.google.com/books?id=QckGAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA445&lpg=PA445&dq=stylet+octopus&source=bl&ots=X1hqJ1Kjvd&sig=OcRLC_qUzRiEAFnOpNsmGQcRGJc&hl=en&ei=6Vm1ScWbGIqyMbGhsd4E&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result

 

[bathypol]

Thanks Cuttlegirl! I just ordered it

 

[Steve O'Shea]

Hmmmm.

There is a very thorough description of these structures in Eledone, pp. 490-491, in Isgrove (1909). LMBC Memoirs 18: 469-573 + 10 plates.

Many university libraries have this old memoir series, so it shouldn't be too difficult to lay your hands on it.

 

[bathypol]

Thanks Steve...I'll find it

 

[bathypol]

I just wanted to thank you both for the references. I found the stylet and am now on my way to aging octopus. Thanks again

 

[DWhatley]

While you are doing the research, it would be a huge benefit if there is anything external that suggests the internal findings!!!!

 

[bathypol]

I'm taking as many morphometric measures of each specimen as I can along with pictures of each one. So hopefully something coincides with the age externally.

 

[Steve O'Shea]

I just wanted to thank you both for the references. I found the stylet and am now on my way to aging octopus. Thanks again

Are you going to try to validate any bands/rings you find by using stains at any point (unfortunately on live animals), and then extract them a known number of days post staining, post mortem?

You could then compare any banding/staining pattern with increments also left on the beaks.

There's a bit of literature out there on this already.

 

[bathypol]

Are you going to try to validate any bands/rings you find by using stains at any point (unfortunately on live animals), and then extract them a known number of days post staining, post mortem?

You could then compare any banding/staining pattern with increments also left on the beaks.

There's a bit of literature out there on this already.

I'd like to do that but unfortunately all my specimens are in a freezer. If I could get my hands on live individuals rather than bycatch from trawls, it'd be great. But right now I'm relying on whatever I can find.

 

[Steve O'Shea]

I'll track you down some references; I understand the logistical problems here.