A Fascinating Print Comparing Cephalopod Anatomy

Comparative Functional Anatomy of Cephalopods

Mark Belan, a scientific artist in Hamilton, Canada, worked with the Royal Ontario Museum in 2015 to create a fascinating educational art print that explained the anatomical differences of cephalopod tentacles and beaks. Belan is celebrating the print’s 5th anniversary with an updated version of the print that includes a new section about eye diversity within the cephalopod orders.

For 2020, I wanted to revisit this piece and finally achieve something I didn’t have time to complete back in 2015 – the diversity of cephalopod eyes. In this 2020 re-release, I included a new section about cephalopod eyes and how evolution has shaped them into different morphologies based on the species’ needs. I think it’s so interesting that nature can produce such a sophisticated eye in the Octopodae clan, but such a simplistic, rudimentary version in extant Nautilidae. Different strokes for different folks!

The print and other items are available for purchase through the artsci studios’ store.

submitted via Laughing Squid Tips

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.

Recent Posts