Cephalopod News

So, octopuses are fantastically weird on every level: external anatomy (suction cups and changing colors), internal anatomy (three hearts and blue blood), behavior (quick learning and collaborative hunting), reproduction (explosive sperm and obsessive egg-guarding), evolution (shell loss and jet gain)…and now we know this weirdness extends to the molecular level.

It seemed weird enough when we learned a few years ago that cephalopods edit their RNA (the molecules used to make proteins) far more than other animals. But scientists recently discovered octopuses also have a unique mutation that helps them turn this edited RNA into reliable proteins. Without the mutation, they’d face a much greater risk of misfolded proteins that could be toxic to their cells. I definitely recommend Meg Mindlin’s explanations of the basic research and its potential for medical advances.

The past month also brought big news in octopus farming, or rather the lack thereof: Spanish seafood giant Nueva Pescanova has abandoned its longstanding plan to farm octopuses in the Canary Islands. Thanks to Max and Ken for sending me links. (Always feel free to send me ceph news when you see it!)

My News

Our workshop panel “How to Draw an Octopus…RETURNS!” once again filled the room at San Diego Comic-Con! Sam Julian, Kass Cruz and I had a blast sharing our art and seeing what the audience created.

My publisher gave me permission to show the cover of my upcoming book, Tentacle Mysteries, in our presentation. Unfortunately I still can’t put it online, but you all will be the first to see it as soon as I’m allowed—along with a publication date and pre-order information.

I also had a wonderful time at local bookstore Linden Tree’s Experiment Extravaganza! Four authors of science books for kids set up activities: coffee filter chromatography, balloon jets, rehydrated fruits, and solar system sensory bottles. Big thanks to organizer Avalon and to fellow authors Helen Taylor, Rie Neal, and Lindsay Lackey!

Funny Pages

Last month, when asked to identify the genre of the lactating piano art, here’s how you darling readers responded:

I appreciate every vote and comment; I loved hearing about one reader’s sketchbook and another’s decision to play the illustrated piano music (which I copied from my mother-in-law’s sheet music and, if I recall correctly, it’s a version of Pachelbel’s Canon in D). One of the “horror” votes was identified in the accompanying comment as an accidental click.

Given that most of you seem to like this kind of thing, I’ll recommend my recent discussions on Bluesky about the reproductive biology of automobiles and airplanes.

My latest art is perhaps even more surreal, inspired by an automatic (not AI) transcription of my recent conversation with an ichthyologist. Apparently we discussed "bunny fishes" and "the YOLO bypass" (actually bony fishes and a bypass in Yolo County).