Body patterns in cephalopods: “Polyphenism” as a way of information exchange

Here we overview the knowledge available on polyphenism in cephalopods: a peculiar characteristic of the behaviour of octopus, cuttlefish and squid. This is achieved through body patterning that is the mutable appearance of the skin of these species. After a short account on the organization of patterning and on the functions of this feature of cephalopods’ behavioural repertoire, we discuss some preliminary evidence on the causation of this complex form of communication (either dishonest or in terms of signalling).