4.8 Article

Open-ocean fish reveal an omnidirectional solution to camouflage in polarized environments

Journal

SCIENCE
Volume 350, Issue 6263, Pages 965-969

Publisher

AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1126/science.aad5284

Keywords

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Funding

  1. Office of Naval Research Multi-University Research Initiative [N000140911054]
  2. NSF Division of Ocean Sciences [1130793]
  3. Directorate For Geosciences
  4. Division Of Ocean Sciences [1130793] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
  5. Division Of Ocean Sciences
  6. Directorate For Geosciences [1130906] Funding Source: National Science Foundation

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Despite appearing featureless to our eyes, the open ocean is a highly variable environment for polarization-sensitive viewers. Dynamic visual backgrounds coupled with predator encounters from all possible directions make this habitat one of the most challenging for camouflage. We tested open-ocean crypsis in nature by collecting more than 1500 videopolarimetry measurements from live fish from distinct habitats under a variety of viewing conditions. Open-ocean fish species exhibited camouflage that was superior to that of both nearshore fish and mirrorlike surfaces, with significantly higher crypsis at angles associated with predator detection and pursuit. Histological measurements revealed that specific arrangements of reflective guanine platelets in the fish's skin produce angle-dependent polarization modifications for polarocrypsis in the open ocean, suggesting a mechanism for natural selection to shape reflectance properties in this complex environment.

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