Excess DNA in the nuclei of the subesophageal region of octopus brain.

Cytophotometric analyses of Feulgen-stained nuclei present in homogenates of vertical and subesophageal lobes of octopus brain have shown that the latter region contains larger nuclei with up to several times the amount of DNA present in vertical nuclei. No obvious relationship was found between DNA content and nuclear size. Except for a rather small minority, nuclei of the vertical lobe have a uniform size and the expected diploid amount of DNA. These parameters are not substantially dependent on body weight. In contrast, the DNA content of subesophageal nuclei increases progressively with body weight. The amount of DNA found in subesophageal nuclei does not seem to be a simple multiple of the diploid or haploid value.