It is common knowledge that sea creatures dolphins have a high level intelligence. Scientists have now discovered that octopuses also have "remarkable" intelligence. A team Italian marine biologists have revealed that octopi have a gene that also determines the intelligence humans. The eight-tentacled sea creature has short sequences DNA called "jumping genes". These same genes make 45 cent of the human genome. The researchers said the DNA sequences are important learning and creating and storing memories the brain. The scientists say the DNA may give octopuses cognitive abilities that are similar to those humans have.
The scientists say their research findings are important as they give an insight how octopuses amend their behaviour response to different stimuli. Scientists describe this process as "behavioural plasticity". Biologist Graziano Fiorito suggested that the research could help us understand more intelligence in humans. He said: "The brain the octopus is functionally analogous many of its characteristics to that mammals....For this reason [the DNA] represents a very interesting candidate to study to improve our knowledge the evolution of intelligence." He says the brain structure of octopuses may mean the creatures are more similar to mammals than invertebrates and other sea life.
