Octopus djinda is caught in fisheries and eaten by people, but has only now been recognised as a separate species from another Australian octopus
Life 9 November 2021
Octopus djinda lives along the south-west coast of Australia
Dr Mark Norman
A new species of octopus has been described in south-west Australia, after a study determined it is different enough from its eastern Australian relative to be considered taxonomically distinct. Although the species has only now been given its own name, people have long been catching and eating the animal, which supports one of the world’s few sustainable octopus fisheries.
The new species has been named Octopus djinda, following consultation with the Aboriginal Advisory Committee of the Western Australian Museum in Perth. …
