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Research Reveals Octopuses Experience Rubber Hand Illusion, Indicating Body Ownership

WHAT'S THE STORY?

What's Happening?

Recent research conducted by Sumire Kawashima and Yuzuru Ikeda from the University of Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan, has demonstrated that octopuses can experience the rubber hand illusion, a phenomenon previously observed in humans and some animals. The study involved placing plain-body octopuses in a tank with a fake arm made of soft gel attached to an opaque partition over their real arm. Both the real and fake arms were stroked simultaneously, leading the octopuses to exhibit defensive responses when the fake arm was pinched, as if their real arm had been affected. This suggests that octopuses possess a sense of body ownership similar to humans, despite their vastly different nervous systems.
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Why It's Important?

The findings are significant as they suggest that even invertebrates, like octopuses, have a sense of body ownership, which is a key component of self-perception. This research could provide insights into multisensory integration and self-perception, potentially aiding the development of advanced robotics and artificial intelligence systems. Furthermore, understanding how octopuses perceive their bodies may improve knowledge of neurological disorders in humans, such as asomatognosia, where individuals lose awareness of their body parts.

What's Next?

The study opens avenues for further research into the evolution of body ownership across different species, particularly those with complex nervous systems developed independently of vertebrates. Future studies may explore the application of these findings in enhancing robotic systems and addressing human neurological disorders. Researchers may also investigate other invertebrates to see if similar body ownership phenomena occur.

Beyond the Headlines

The research highlights the potential for cross-species studies to inform human understanding of self-perception and body ownership. Ethical considerations may arise regarding the treatment of octopuses in experimental settings, given their demonstrated cognitive abilities. Long-term, this could influence how invertebrates are perceived and treated in scientific research.

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