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Harvard Study Reveals Male Octopuses Use Hectocotylus to Detect Progesterone

4/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers led by Prof. Nicholas Bellono at Harvard University found that male octopuses use the hectocotylus to detect progesterone.
The hectocotylus functions as both a sensory organ and a mating tool.
In experiments, males mated with females through barriers, showing they locate partners by sensing progesterone.
The arm’s receptors evolved to respond to specific chemical signals, potentially preserving reproductive barriers among species.
The findings were published in the journal Science.

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Story summary

Researchers led by Prof. Nicholas Bellono at Harvard University found that male octopuses use the hectocotylus to detect progesterone.
The hectocotylus functions as both a sensory organ and a mating tool.
In experiments, males mated with females through barriers, showing they locate partners by sensing progesterone.
The arm’s receptors evolved to respond to specific chemical signals, potentially preserving reproductive barriers among species.
The findings were published in the journal Science.