A message on the topic of cuttlefish. Cuttlefish - an amazing jet-powered chameleon mollusk
What is a sea cuttlefish? Hearing this question, an image of some shapeless and incomprehensible animal immediately appears before your eyes. Although, perhaps knowledgeable people We wouldn’t talk about cuttlefish like that, because these animals can be incredibly beautiful, but they can’t be called shapeless at all. Cuttlefish belong to the class of cephalopods.
Appearance of cuttlefish
The body of the animal is elongated-oval and slightly flattened. The main part of the body is formed by the mantle. The role of the skeleton is played by the internal shell - and this is a feature inherent only to cuttlefish. The head and body are fused. The eyes are complex and are located on the head of the mollusk. There is also something like a beak on the cuttlefish’s head; this natural “device” greatly helps the mollusk in obtaining food. Like many cephalopods, the cuttlefish has an ink sac.
The broad-armed cuttlefish, or broad-armed sepia (Sepia latimanus) is the largest species of these animals. The mollusk has eight legs called tentacles. And each such tentacle is literally studded with small suckers. There are fins on both sides of the body, with the help of which the animal makes swimming movements.
The animal's body size is relatively small for representatives of the cephalopod class. The average adult cuttlefish reaches a length of about 20 centimeters. There are larger cuttlefish, but these are only representatives of certain species.
A notable feature of these mollusks is the ability to change the color of their body. Just like a chameleon! This process in cuttlefish is possible thanks to chromatophore cells located on the skin.
Most known species cuttlefish are:
- Common cuttlefish;
- Broad-armed cuttlefish (this is the largest of all cuttlefish: its length is about 1.5 meters and its weight is up to 10 kilograms);
- Painted cuttlefish (the most attractive among these mollusks, but poisonous);
- Striped cuttlefish (nicknamed the “pajama cuttlefish”, also very poisonous);
- Pharaoh cuttlefish.
Habitat of cuttlefish
The habitats of these mollusks are located in tropical and subtropical zones seas washing the shores of Africa and Eurasia (part of the so-called “Old World”). However, the striped cuttlefish was found even off the coast of Australia.
Lifestyle and behavior
Cuttlefish are solitary mollusks. And only in mating season they can be seen in groups. Occasionally, these animals are ready to migrate somewhere, but the majority live in one place all their lives.
These mollusks are very careful. They are quite easy to scare. They usually behave calmly and prefer leisurely movements under water. The depth of residence is shallow - these animals always try to stick to the coastline.
Scientists believe that cuttlefish are one of the most intelligent representatives of invertebrate animals.
What does cuttlefish eat?
Everything that is smaller in size and lives in water ends up on the cuttlefish’s “dining table.” The main food for these unusual animals are fish, crabs, shrimp, worms, and other shellfish.
Reproduction of cuttlefish
As for breeding offspring, cuttlefish have their own unique feature: they reproduce only once in their entire lives, after which they themselves die.
The mating season is very interesting. Individuals gather in entire flocks and choose their partners. After the choice is made, the mating game begins. Males and females shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow, thus showing their mood and relationship to their partner. Male individuals gently stroke their “bride” with tentacles, seeking her favor.
Striped cuttlefish (Sepioloidea lineolata) - another deadly one poisonous species. It lives in the waters of Australia, due to its specific coloring English language it is also called pajama With the help of the male's tentacles, male reproductive cells enter the female's body. After some time, eggs are laid (the moment of fertilization also occurs). Egg clutches are attached to underwater plants and are often black in color. Once the spawning is over, the adult cuttlefish die.
The cuttlefish has ten tentacles with suckers, they are much shorter than those of other cephalopods. The grasping arms are slightly longer than the others, for convenience when obtaining food. Cuttlefish hide them in special pockets located under their eyes. In a calm state, cuttlefish fold their tentacles tightly together so that they seem to be a single whole.
Hidden somewhere behind the tentacles is a beak-shaped mouth. Why beak-shaped? Because it looks like a beak and cuttlefish skillfully use it to eat prey. It is very strong and is capable of opening a crab shell.
This animal has an elongated, oval body - a mantle. Distinctive feature for cuttlefish, is the presence of a calcareous shell. It is located on the upper part of the body (back), in the form of a wide plate. Serves as a kind of skeleton to protect the internal organs of the animal. Due to the fact that the shell has porosity, the density of the skeleton will decrease, providing buoyancy.
The small head fits tightly to the body. On top of the head, well-defined, large eyes. The pupil looks like a small slit. The structure of the eye is similar to that of a human eye.
Along the entire length of the cuttlefish's body, there is a fin that looks like the frill of a skirt. They use it to move around. They also have a special siphon, with the help of which cuttlefish gain acceleration by squeezing out a stream of water.
Cuttlefish live in shallow waters of subtropical and tropical seas. There are species that live in the Atlantic Ocean. There are about 100 species of cuttlefish in total. The largest is wide-armed sepia. The size of the smallest cuttlefish is between 1.5 - 1.8 cm.
Cuttlefish, like octopuses, are capable of camouflage. They can change body color. They often use camouflage to hunt for prey. lie on seabed and wait for their potential food to float by. They can also “blow” prey out of the bottom sand. Using a siphon, which is used for acceleration, cuttlefish release a stream into the sand, washing away small animals.
The diet of cuttlefish is similar to that of squids and octopuses; they are also carnivores and get themselves small fish, crustaceans, worms, and do not disdain their own kind - they eat small cuttlefish.
Like most inhabitants of the underwater world, cuttlefish can be in danger. They use ink for protection. Throwing out a certain volume of liquid from the ink sac, which forms a curtain that allows you to distract the enemy and the cuttlefish to disappear back home. Changing colors can also be a distraction. Mimicry is another method of protection.
By the way, the color of cuttlefish is very diverse. There are even very bright specimens, for example, the painted cuttlefish - Metasepia pfefferi, which is poisonous.
Reproduction in cuttlefish occurs only once, during their short life span of 1-2 years. Males and females migrate to places convenient for laying and fertilizing eggs. Along their journey, they form flocks where they find a mate. Males at this moment show aggression towards rivals. When a pair is formed, they swim side by side. The male, showing attention, strokes the female with his tentacles.
Using the fourth left tentacle, which has a slightly distinctive structure, the male transfers sperm. Fertilization occurs when eggs are laid. Females lay eggs, attaching them to vegetation on the seabed. The eggs form clusters. The egg itself is droplet-shaped and black. Once born, the young are already capable of independent life. Adults die after the birth of their offspring.
Interesting fact: Scientific research conducted in 2010, it was determined that if a very small, still child, cuttlefish was attacked by a certain predator, then this cuttlefish in adulthood prefers to hunt predators of precisely this type.
Niramin - Dec 12th, 2016
The cuttlefish lives primarily in shallow waters in the tropical and subtropical seas of the eastern hemisphere. A huge number of these cephalopods are found in the Mediterranean Sea, where there are about 100 species.
The cuttlefish looks like a squid, while simultaneously resembling a stingray and an octopus. It has a flattened body with a border of fins on the sides and ten short tentacles with suction cups, which the animal can retract into special containers located on the head. With the help of tentacles, the cuttlefish hunts, throwing them out and sucking on the prey.
This sea creature is able to move with the help of fins, and also uses a jet method, thanks to the presence of a jet funnel.
Cuttlefish are distinguished by their developed nervous system and excellent vision. In addition, this representative of cephalopods has numerous light-sensitive cells located on the surface of the body. Thanks to these cells, the cuttlefish is able to perfectly camouflage itself in environment and change its color literally in 1-2 seconds. In case of special danger, it quickly floats away, leaving behind a dense cloud of ink.
By camouflaging itself, the cuttlefish hides from its enemies, and at the same time quietly lies in wait for its prey. Throwing sand onto itself with the help of fins, this master of camouflage lies on the bottom, taking on its color and shape, and the small ones floating by Marine life risk falling into its tenacious tentacles. The cuttlefish does not always passively wait for its prey. Using its jet funnel, it slowly swims and erodes the bottom silt and sand under which the prey is hidden. In some cases, hunger forces this leisurely inhabitant of shallow waters to even chase its prey.
The cuttlefish feeds on small inhabitants of the sea: shrimp, crustaceans, small fish, and mollusks. Thanks to taste buds located on the tentacles, the cuttlefish first tastes its dish, determining whether it meets its gastronomic needs.
Interestingly, for many centuries, humanity has used cuttlefish ink for writing and drawing.
Photo: Cuttlefish shoots an ink bomb. 
Photo: Painted cuttlefish is poisonous. 
Photo: Australian giant cuttlefish. 
Video: Cuttlefish (lat. Sepiida)
Video: Cuttlefish - a universal spy - octopus.
Video: Mating games cuttlefish.wmv
Video: Cuttlefish. at the SEA AQUARIUM on Chistye Prudy
Sea chameleon is another name for cuttlefish. And this name was not given to the mollusk by chance. Within 1-2 seconds, it is able to change its color to almost any color, and with any pattern. But this is not why it is useful for humans.
What is cuttlefish
Cuttlefish is a type of cephalopod, that is, it belongs to the same family as. Moreover, it is the most ancient representative of this family. Unlike other representatives of cephalopods, inside the cuttlefish there is a lamellar shell on the dorsal part of the carcass. On each of its ten tentacles there are rows of a large number of suckers that help the mollusk capture its prey. Sea chameleons feed on small fish and crustaceans. They preferably go hunting in the dark.
This mollusk is usually found in tropical and subtropical waters. Cuttlefish - prefer shallow water in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. You can often see these creatures off the coasts South Africa, Japan and Australia. Experts say there are over 100 varieties of cuttlefish. The most famous and most numerous among them is the pharaoh's sepia, which is found in the north of the Indian Ocean.
The cuttlefish is one of the most colorful creatures that inhabit the ocean waters. Its body combines several colors at once: brown on the dorsal part, light colors on the abdomen, greenish on the tentacles, purple on the fins. But depending on the environment, the color of the mollusk can change significantly.
Sea chameleons almost never grow larger than 50 cm, but they can weigh more than 10 kilograms. Although there are also very small representatives - no more than 2 cm.
To defend itself from enemies, this mollusk releases a dark-colored substance called ink. This brown liquid creates an impenetrable curtain in the water, allowing the cuttlefish to hide. By the way, this very substance has been used by humans since ancient times as paint or ink for writing.
Cuttlefish meat is a traditional component of Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. It tastes like squid or octopus, but more tender. It is rich in nutritional components, but compared to other marine inhabitants, the body of the sea chameleon is more prone to absorb harmful substances from the water.
Chemical composition and nutritional value
Cuttlefish is an excellent source of protein, essential amino acids and minerals. In 100 g raw product contains no more than 80 kilocalories (boiled - about 160 kcal) and almost a quarter of the daily sodium intake.
Shellfish meat is a delicacy containing almost no carbohydrates and fats. But despite the extremely low proportion of fat in chemical composition, this product contains an impressive amount of essential fatty acids, in particular eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. Thanks to this, cuttlefish is considered a product that is beneficial for the heart and blood vessels, in particular for the prevention of arrhythmia, clogged arteries, and high blood pressure.
Protein
As already mentioned, cuttlefish is a product extremely rich in proteins. 100 grams of meat contains almost 55 percent of the daily protein requirement. This suggests that seafood is an excellent source of nutrients necessary for the restoration and formation of cells. The meat of this mollusk contains all 9 essential amino acids in varying quantities.
Vitamins
Just one serving of cuttlefish contains more than 190% of the daily value of vitamin B12. This unique vitamin is essential for humans, as it is necessary for the creation of DNA cells, red blood cells, and also supports neurological health. In addition, the sea chameleon is a real storehouse of vitamin B2 (contains more than 100% of the daily value), which is responsible for the health of the skin and eyes, and also promotes proper metabolism. Almost a quarter of your daily dose of vitamin A can also be obtained from just 100 grams of cuttlefish meat. And this nutrient is the main substance responsible for vision. In addition, sufficient consumption of vitamin A is important for the health of the skin, mucous membranes, bones and teeth. Possessing antioxidant properties, this vitamin found in seafood prevents heart disease, cell mutation, and also repairs damage caused by free radicals.
Minerals
Seafood is an excellent choice for replenishing minerals in the body. A serving of cuttlefish contains almost 140% of the daily value of selenium. This mineral, entering the body, as a result of certain chemical reactions combines with proteins to form selenoproteins - substances with powerful antioxidant abilities. Selenium, in addition to everything, has vital importance for thyroid health and strengthening the immune system.
Another important mineral found in cuttlefish meat is large quantities, is iron. This suggests that consuming seafood can improve oxygen circulation in the body and also support healthy cell growth.
Cholesterol
And the only disadvantage of cuttlefish meat is cholesterol. A serving of this product contains almost 63% of the daily value of cholesterol. But we must remind you that cholesterol in food is not always bad. This substance is necessary for the body to maintain healthy skin, regulate hormonal levels, production of digestive and synthesis. However, excessive consumption of foods rich in cholesterol can lead to fatty deposits in the arteries, which in turn impairs blood flow to the heart and brain, causing heart attacks or strokes.
| 158 kcal | |
| 32.48 g | |
| 1.4 g | |
| 1.4 g | |
| 61.12 g | |
| 224 mg | |
| 0.11 mg | |
| 8.5 mg | |
| 0.017 mg | |
| 1.73 mg | |
| 2.19 mg | |
| 0.9 mg | |
| 0.27 mg | |
| 24 mcg | |
| 5.4 mcg | |
| 180 mg | |
| 10.84 mg | |
| 60 mg | |
| 580 mg | |
| 637 mg | |
| 744 mg | |
| 3.46 mg | |
| 0.998 mg | |
| 0.209 mg | |
| 89.6 mcg |
Benefits for the body
Like all seafood, cuttlefish is an excellent source of protein. Thanks to this, consuming shellfish in moderate portions has a good effect on the condition of muscles, hair, nails, skin, and improves the overall functioning of the body. But the beneficial properties of the product do not end there.
It is useful to include cuttlefish in your diet for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. And all because this product is rich in selenium. Research shows that this substance is most often lacking in the bodies of people with symptoms of the disease, and restoring the mineral balance improves their well-being.
Another useful property cuttlefish – reduce the frequency and duration of migraines. This ability of seafood is explained by the presence of vitamin B2, which is found in abundance in cuttlefish meat.
Due to the high concentration of phosphorus (in these indicators it is not inferior to fish and shrimp), cuttlefish are useful for strengthening bones and teeth.
This seafood is also listed as beneficial for preventing strokes and heart attacks. Vitamin B12 contained in cuttlefish reduces the level of homocysteine, which is actually a factor that increases the risk of these diseases.
Cuttlefish, as a source of vitamin B3, are also useful for regulating blood sugar levels. And thanks to the presence of zinc, this seafood is important for strengthening the immune system.
Other benefits of cuttlefish meat:
- removes toxins;
- improves metabolism;
- regulates blood pressure;
- improves blood circulation;
- accelerates fat metabolism;
- promotes faster healing of wounds;
- accelerates hair growth;
- promotes the proper functionality of brain cells;
- stabilizes the functioning of the cardiac system;
- strengthens the immune system.
Useful properties of ink
Cuttlefish ink is often called a superfood. As a result of several studies, it was found that this dark liquid contains many benefits for of cardio-vascular system. In addition, ink is a good source of iron, which makes this product useful for increasing hemoglobin, improving oxygen circulation.
Cuttlefish ink is useful for treating:
- venous congestion;
- constipation;
- bile duct dispersion;
- migraine;
- bronchitis;
- eczema;
- hemorrhoids;
- disorders of the nervous system;
- ovarian dysfunction;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- insomnia.
Useful properties of cuttlefish bone
The internal shell of cuttlefish also has some beneficial properties for humans. This bone is a porous plate resembling pumice. In Chinese medicine it is used to treat stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as to stop bleeding and alleviate asthma.
Crushed bone is added to medicines to normalize stomach acidity and heal ulcers. In dentistry, this material is used to stop bleeding after tooth extraction. There is also reason to believe that this material can be used in traumatology, in particular for the treatment of bone diseases.
How to cook properly
The smaller the cuttlefish, the more tender its meat. Small cuttlefish are considered the most delicious. Shellfish up to 300 g are good to stew and add to main courses. But small ones are especially valued - up to 20 g. They are used to prepare salads, appetizers, small kebabs, and also added to pizza. Cuttlefish can be fried, stewed, baked, grilled, or added to soups or stews. Fried shellfish are often served as an appetizer, added to salads or pasta. In Mediterranean cuisine, boiled cuttlefish are seasoned olive oil or deep-fried, and the ink of this mollusk is used for sauces, pasta dishes or risotto. But in Japan and China, this delicacy can be fried, baked, dried and even pickled. But if you give preference to fried seafood, you must be prepared for the fact that its calorie content, as well as the presence of cholesterol, will increase significantly.
Sea chameleons are a product that is important to properly cut and prepare. Inside each mollusk there is a sac filled with dark liquid. It is often used in cooking, to add color to sauces or. But if you accidentally puncture this bag, the ink will stain the carcass. Properly cooked shellfish remains white, and tastes like octopus or squid meat with a nutty flavor. Cook the cuttlefish for about half an hour over low heat. There are some secrets to frying cuttlefish: first with the tentacles facing up, then turn them over.
If you are going to cook frozen cuttlefish, you should first defrost it properly. To do this, the clam is poured cold water. After complete defrosting, you can begin cleaning. First, the bone, eyes, mouth and entrails are cut out. Then carefully separate the silver sac with ink. You can throw it away or use the brown liquid it contains to make spaghetti, risotto or another dish. The cleaned cuttlefish carcass is washed under running water and prepared using the chosen method.
Seafood is one of the healthiest food categories. Shellfish, including cuttlefish, are a source of many useful components. In addition, a person can get some of them exclusively from seafood.
In the minds of most people, cuttlefish are associated with something shapeless and ugly, and all because many people don’t even know what they look like. In fact, these animals can be safely called attractive. Cuttlefish are cephalopods and are related to octopuses and squids. There are about 100 of their species in the world, classified into the order of the same name.
Common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis).
The structure of cuttlefish has many similarities with other cephalopods. Just like octopuses, their body is formed by a skin-muscular sac - the mantle. But unlike their fellow cuttlefish, they have an elongated oval shape, slightly flattened, but unchanged (octopuses, as you know, easily squeeze into narrow crevices). Their head is closely fused with the body, and large eyes stand out on it. They have a complex structure and a slit-like pupil. On the front of the head there is a kind of beak, which cuttlefish use to crush food. But it is impossible to see it under normal conditions, since it is hidden between the tentacles. In total, cuttlefish have eight arm tentacles and two more special hunting tentacles, all of which are studded with suckers. When at rest, the arms of these animals are folded together and extended forward, which gives their body a streamlined appearance. The hunting tentacles are hidden in special pockets under the eyes; they “shoot” from there only at the moment of attack. Cuttlefish have fins on the sides of the body, elongated in the form of a border. They are the main means of transportation. Pushing water out of a siphon, as octopuses do, is also practiced by these animals, but serves only as an additional means of acceleration.
The broad-armed cuttlefish, or broad-armed sepia (Sepia latimanus) is the largest species of these animals.
A unique feature of cuttlefish is their internal shell, which replaces their skeleton. The shell looks more like a plate with internal cavities rather than a shell. It is located inside the body on the dorsal side and protects internal organs, and the cavities reduce weight and add buoyancy. Other internal organs in cuttlefish are arranged in the same way as in other cephalopods. They also have an ink sac, which produces a record amount of ink among cephalopods. Outwardly, males and females look the same, but in males one of the tentacles takes on a special shape and is used for fertilization.
A broad-armed cuttlefish that has changed color to orange.
The coloring of these animals is extremely diverse. Just like octopuses, cuttlefish can change color using chromatophore cells in their skin. The cells are filled with pigments of different colors and, with the help of special muscles, can contract or stretch. The control of chromatophores is subordinated to the brain and is of a conscious nature. In other words, the cuttlefish changes color deliberately and of its own accord, but does so so quickly that it seems as if the process is automatic. In terms of the variety of colors, the complexity of the pattern and the speed of its change, these animals have no equal. In the sea, cuttlefish literally resemble a teletype; their body, like a mirror, reflects everything that surrounds the cuttlefish. In addition, some species can luminesce. This color change is used for camouflage and... communication. Drawings of a certain shape carry information for fellow tribesmen. In general, cuttlefish are among the most intelligent invertebrates.
This cuttlefish not only donned a soft pink outfit, but was also covered in blue luminescent spots.
Among cephalopods they stand out comparatively small size. The largest species, the broad-armed sepia, reaches a length of 1.5 m (including arms) and weighs up to 10 kg. But most species are much more modest, their length reaches 20 cm. Several small species do not exceed 1.8-2 cm in length! These are the smallest cephalopods in the world.
One of the most striking species is the painted cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) from the Indo-Malayan region. In addition to its bright coloring, this species is also distinguished by its toxicity, which is generally unusual for these animals.
Cuttlefish live exclusively in the shallow waters of tropical and subtropical seas of the Old World. They live alone, less often in small flocks, and only during the breeding season do they form large aggregations. At the same time, they can migrate, although they usually lead a sedentary lifestyle. Usually cuttlefish swim leisurely at a low altitude above the bottom; when they see prey, they freeze for a second, and then quickly overtake the victim. In case of danger, they, on the contrary, try to lie to the bottom, while using the movements of their fins to cover themselves with sand. By nature, these animals are very cautious and timid. Cuttlefish are rather friendly towards their relatives. Nevertheless, they sometimes exhibit cannibalism: large individuals can eat young relatives. But this phenomenon is explained not so much by an aggressive disposition as by food indiscriminateness.
The cuttlefish camouflaged itself at the bottom with sand.
Cuttlefish feed on literally everything that moves and does not exceed their size. They can eat various fish, shrimp, crabs, shellfish, and worms. If a cuttlefish lies in wait for prey for a long time without success, it can increase the effectiveness of the hunt by blowing a stream of water into the sand from its siphon. At the same time, the soil is agitated, and the cuttlefish catches small animals washed away by the stream. Cuttlefish swallow small animals without difficulty, but cut large ones with their beaks. Its strength is such that a cuttlefish can effortlessly crush the shell of a crab or the skull of a fish equal in size to it.
The striped cuttlefish (Sepioloidea lineolata) is another deadly poisonous species. It lives in the waters of Australia; for its specific coloring in English it is also called pajama fish.
Cuttlefish reproduce once in their lifetime. Adults migrate to convenient places for laying eggs, along the way flocking into flocks of several hundred and thousands of individuals. In these flocks, between them are established difficult relationships. Members of the pack no longer just tolerate each other, but also actively communicate using changeable colors. During this period, only males show aggression towards each other, but the weakest of them sometimes disguise themselves as females in order to penetrate the center of the group. Males treat females with reverent tenderness. Although breeding occurs in groups, as a rule, each male pays attention to one chosen one. He swims next to her and then starts stroking her with his tentacles. Both animals flash with bright colors.
A male cuttlefish strokes a female with his tentacles during courtship at the Georgia Aquarium in the USA.
Males transfer sperm to females with modified tentacles, and fertilization occurs later, when eggs are laid. Cuttlefish eggs look like bunches of grapes, are mostly black and are attached to underwater vegetation. After spawning, adults die. Young cuttlefish are born fully formed, with an internal shell and an ink sac. They can use ink from the first seconds of life. They grow quickly, but live relatively short lives - only 1-2 years.
A clutch of cuttlefish attached to algae.
In nature, cuttlefish have many enemies. Although these animals skillfully defend themselves by resorting to camouflage and launching ink bombs at their pursuers, their relatively low speed of movement makes them vulnerable to predators. Most often, cuttlefish are eaten by sharks, dolphins and stingrays. Since ancient times, people have also hunted them. Cuttlefish are renowned for the excellent flavor of their meat and feature prominently in Mediterranean and Chinese cuisine. Their shells, in crushed form, are included in some toothpastes. But the contribution of cuttlefish to the development of human civilization is not limited to this. People also owe countless masterpieces of art and writing to cuttlefish. It was the ink liquid of cuttlefish that was used in the old days for writing. When diluted, it was used to prepare a special paint for painters - sepia (this word itself is the name of cuttlefish in many European languages). Cuttlefish are an interesting subject for aquarists, but they are not easy to keep. The timidity of these animals leads to the fact that they release ink into the water for any reason and make the water in the aquarium completely opaque. Over time, cuttlefish get used to their owner, stop being afraid of him and even recognize him by swimming closer.
A pharaoh cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) tries to escape from a scuba diver by releasing an ink bomb.
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