The Indonesian mimic octopus is able to camouflage itself from

Question

The Indonesian mimic octopus is able to camouflage itself from predators by blending into the background. Sometimes, though, even when a predator is nearby, the mimic octopus takes on a color pattern that is not present in the immediate environment. A marine biologist of cephalopods claims that this behavior is a sign of an octopus engaging in play, meaning that the behavior does not confer any specific advantage.

Which of the following, if true, would most call in to doubt the marine biologist’s claim?

A An observational study that tracked a mimic octopus over the course of a week found that it changed the color of its skin even when there were no predators in the area.

B The color pattern an Indonesian mimic octopus assumes when a predator is nearby, but that does not match its immediate environment, has been found to parallel that of various jellyfish venomous to the octopus’s predators.

C The Indonesian mimic octopus engages in other forms of behavior that seem to serve no purpose, yet several marine biologists are reluctant to describe such behavior as play.

D Most sea species will employ some form of escape whenever a predator is in the vicinity, even if that involves solely camouflaging themselves.

E Marine biologists are not familiar with all of the environments that the Indonesian mimic octopuses inhabit, since it is known to swim into crevices deep in the ocean’s floor.

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sayantan151996 · Answer

option B . As this explains another reason why the octopus displays a color pattern-Not for play but to scare the predators away.

hr1212 · Answer

Background - Octopus camouflage to match the background to save itself from predators
Premise - Sometimes even when predators are around, they take color which doesn't match their background. WHY?
Conclusion - Octopus just engage in play leading to no specific advantage

What, if true, would cast doubt?

We need some rational explanation which can explain why octopus picks some random color to camouflage and it's just not for play.

A An observational study that tracked a mimic octopus over the course of a week found that it changed the color of its skin even when there were no predators in the area.  This strengthens the conclusion doing exactly opposite of what's needed.

B The color pattern an Indonesian mimic octopus assumes when a predator is nearby, but that does not match its immediate environment, has been found to parallel that of various jellyfish venomous to the octopus’s predators.  This is interesting and matches the pre-thinking that the behavior is not just for play but has intricate advantage to save themselves from predators

C The Indonesian mimic octopus engages in other forms of behavior that seem to serve no purpose, yet several marine biologists are reluctant to describe such behavior as play.  Irrelevant

D Most sea species will employ some form of escape whenever a predator is in the vicinity, even if that involves solely camouflaging themselves.  Out of scope

E Marine biologists are not familiar with all of the environments that the Indonesian mimic octopuses inhabit, since it is known to swim into crevices deep in the ocean’s floor.  Irrelevant

Whoisdmx15 · Answer

A An observational study that tracked a mimic octopus over the course of a week found that it changed the color of its skin even when there were no predators in the area.  Eliminated  This actually strengthens the conclusion.

B The color pattern an Indonesian mimic octopus assumes when a predator is nearby, but that does not match its immediate environment, has been found to parallel that of various jellyfish venomous to the octopus’s predators.  Suitable  This actually explains why camouflaging is not merely engaging in play, and the behavior does not confer some specific advantage.

C The Indonesian mimic octopus engages in other forms of behavior that seem to serve no purpose, yet several marine biologists are reluctant to describe such behavior as play.  Eliminated  Completely out of context. Generalizing from specific.

D Most sea species will employ some form of escape whenever a predator is in the vicinity, even if that involves solely camouflaging themselves.  Eliminated  "Most sea species" is Generalizing from specific.

E Marine biologists are not familiar with all of the environments that the Indonesian mimic octopuses inhabit, since it is known to swim into crevices deep in the ocean’s floor.  Eliminated  Does not weaken the conclusion.

Gmat750aspirant · Answer

B) The color pattern that an Indonesian mimic octopus adopts when a predator is nearby, which doesn't match its surroundings, has been found to resemble the pattern of various jellyfish that are venomous to the octopus’s predators. This finding is intriguing, as it supports the idea that the octopus's behavior isn't merely playful, but serves a strategic purpose in protecting itself from predators.

Ans B

Ans B

Bunuel · Answer

Magoosh Official Explanation:

Premise #1 – Octopus can change its colors to blend in with environment.

Premise #2 – Does so to hide from predators.

Premise #3 – Sometime takes on a random color pattern (one not found in immediate environment).

Conclusion: The octopus is having fun (playing around with its color pattern).

(A) seems to strengthen the conclusion. That is, (A) implies that octopuses like to change their color pattern for fun.

(B) gives a compelling explanation for the apparent random pattern of the octopus. It is actually the color pattern of a jellyfish that is poisonous to the predators of the octopus. In other words, the octopus is trying to trick its predators into thinking that it is something poisonous to them.

(C) is tricky. It suggests that several marine biologists wouldn’t agree with the conclusion here. But it doesn’t give us a reason this specific conclusion is potentially flawed.

(D) is tempting because it seems to weaken to the argument. But let’s assume that the octopus only mimics the color pattern of its main predator when that predator is not present. What is the exact advantage of doing so? Assuming that the octopus, in mimicking its primary predator, scares away other would-be predators by looking like its primary predator assumes that other predators do not eat the octopus’s primary predator. That is assuming a tad too much. Compare (D) to (B) and notice how (B) offers a more tidy, yet still compelling, explanation.

(E) invites only more mystery by focusing on unrelated gaps in marine biologists’ understanding of the Indonesian octopus. In doing so, (E) shifts the focus from the Indonesian octopus’s seemingly random color pattern in a specific environment to the octopus’s environment in general, without any mention of the color pattern.

The Indonesian mimic octopus is able to camouflage itself from

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The Indonesian mimic octopus is able to camouflage itself from

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