Biodiversity & Conservation

Common octopus - Octopus vulgaris - Sensitivity

Octopus vulgaris

Image David Nicholson - Octopus vulgaris.
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Distribution map

Octopus vulgaris recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

Why do the maps differ?

Sightings Have you seen Octopus vulgaris?
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Octopus vulgaris is not listed under any importance categories.

Biotope sensitivity assessment

Physical Factors

Click factor name to view rationale Intolerance Recoverability Sensitivity Evidence / Confidence
Substratum Loss Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Smothering Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Increase in suspended sediment Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Desiccation Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant Low
Increase in emergence regime Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant Low
Increase in water flow rate Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Increase in temperature Low High Low Moderate
Increase in turbidity Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Increase in wave exposure Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Noise Low Immediate Not sensitive Low
Visual Presence Low Immediate Not sensitive Low
Abrasion & physical disturbance Low High Low Moderate
Displacement Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive High

Chemical Factors

Click factor name to view rationale Intolerance Recoverability Sensitivity Evidence / Confidence
Synthetic compound contamination Insufficient information Insufficient information Insufficient information Not relevant
Heavy metal contamination Low Very high Very low Low
Hydrocarbon contamination Insufficient information Insufficient information Insufficient information Not relevant
Radionuclide contamination Low High Low Moderate
Changes in nutrient levels Insufficient information Insufficient information Insufficient information Not relevant
Increase in salinity Low High Low Moderate
Changes in oxygenation Insufficient information Insufficient information Insufficient information Not relevant

Biological Factors

Click factor name to view rationale Intolerance Recoverability Sensitivity Evidence / Confidence
Introduction of microbial pathogens/parasites Low High Low Moderate
Introduction of non-native species Insufficient information Insufficient information Insufficient information Not relevant
Extraction of this species Intermediate High Low Low
Extraction of other species Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low

Additional information icon Additional information

This review can be cited as follows:

Emily Wilson 2006. Octopus vulgaris. Common octopus. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 06/09/2010]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciessensitivity.php?speciesID=3937>