Research Trends in Octopus Biological Studies.

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Bibliometrics
• Zoology

Background:

• Octopuses are valuable model organisms across various scientific disciplines.
• Understanding research trends is crucial for advancing octopus studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric analysis of octopus biological research from 1985 to 2020.
• To identify and analyze the evolution of research topics, geographic contributions, and collaboration patterns over time.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of publications from the Web of Science database (1985-2020).
• Query: ((AK = octopus) OR (AB = octopus) OR (TI = octopus)).
• Data processed using the bibliometrix R package, dividing the study into an earlier period (1985-2010) and a recent period (2011-2020).

Main Results:

• Increased publication sources, contributing countries, and affiliations between the earlier and recent periods.
• Thematic analysis revealed shifts in research clusters, from "growth and nutrition," "pollution impact," "morphology," "neurobiology," and "biochemistry" in the earlier period to "growth and nutrition," "ecology," "pollution impact," and "genes, behavior, and brain evolution" in the recent period.
• Leading countries shifted from the UK/Ireland and USA/Canada to Spain and Portugal in the recent period.

Conclusions:

• Octopus research has significantly expanded in volume and international collaboration.
• Research focus has evolved, with emerging themes in ecology and the genetic/behavioral aspects of brain evolution.
• The study provides valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of octopus biological research.