It is a controversial new study to say the least, but it is certainly one that has gotten the scientific community talking. A new paper published in the journal Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology suggests that there is reason to believe the octopus did not evolve from any human life form, but may have an alien source.

The scientists point to its sophisticated nervous system, ability to shapeshift and camouflage, and other traits that its supposed ancestor, the nautiloid, has never possessed.

Instead, the scientists are suggesting that “cryopreserved and matrix protected fertilized octopus eggs” may have arrived on Earth via comet or some other type of object, noting that such interstellar objects often have organic matter on them.