Stars and stripes: biofluorescent lures in the striated frogfish indicate role in aggressive mimicry

Brauwer, Maarten De; Hobbs, Jean‐Paul A.

doi:10.1007/s00338-016-1493-1

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…However, these hypotheses do not apply to non-symbiotic (with algae) and non-bioluminescent species. Other possible roles of fluorescence in marine organisms relate to camouflage, intraspecific communication [7], and prey attraction [8,9]. The latter hypothesis seems to fit better for hydrozoans, since it has been experimentally demonstrated that at least one species, Olindias formosus (Goto, 1903), uses fluorescence in tentacles to attract juvenile fish preys [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green Fluorescence Patterns in Closely Related Symbiotic Species of Zanclea (Hydrozoa, Capitata)

et al. 2020

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Green fluorescence is a common phenomenon in marine invertebrates and is caused by green fluorescent proteins. Many hydrozoan species display fluorescence in their polyps and/or medusa stages, and in a few cases patterns of green fluorescence have been demonstrated to differ between closely related species. Hydrozoans are often characterized by the presence of cryptic species, due to the paucity of available morphological diagnostic characters. Zanclea species are not an exception, showing high genetic divergence compared to a uniform morphology. In this work, the presence of green fluorescence and the morpho-molecular diversity of six coral-and bryozoan-associated Zanclea species from the Maldivian coral reefs were investigated. Specifically, the presence of green fluorescence in polyps and newly released medusae was explored, the general morphology, as well as the cnidome and the interaction with the hosts, were characterized, and the 16S rRNA region was sequenced and analyzed. Overall, Zanclea species showed a similar morphology, with little differences in the general morphological features and in the cnidome. Three of the analyzed species did not show any fluorescence in both life stages. Three other Zanclea species, including two coral-associated cryptic species, were distinguished by species-specific fluorescence patterns in the medusae. Altogether, the results confirmed the morphological similarity despite high genetic divergence in Zanclea species and indicated that fluorescence patterns may be a promising tool in further discriminating closely related and cryptic species. Therefore, the assessment of fluorescence at a large scale in the whole Zancleidae family may be useful to shed light on the diversity of this enigmatic taxon.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green Fluorescence Patterns in Closely Related Symbiotic Species of Zanclea (Hydrozoa, Capitata)

et al. 2020

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“…However, invertebrates, such as mantis shrimp (Mazel et al ., 2003), and a variety of fishes have been shown to be able to view these wavelengths (Gerlach et al ., 2014; Heinermann, 1984; Michiels et al ., 2008). It is also possible that escal fluorescence is a shared trait among lophiiform fishes, as a fluorescent esca has also been observed in Antennarius striatus (Shaw 1794), a shallow‐water frogfish (De Brauwer & Hobbs, 2016; Pietsch & Arnold, 2020). However, we feel this is unlikely as the frogfish emitted a red fluorescence, unlike the green fluorescence observed here, likely involving nonhomologous fluorescent proteins or pigments, suggesting an independent origin for fluorescence.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

First detection of biofluorescence in a deep‐sea anglerfish

Ludt

Clardy

2022

Journal of Fish Biology

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Biofluorescence has been observed in a variety of fishes, but is rare in deep‐sea environments where light from the surface cannot reach. Here, we document biofluorescence in an oceanic anglerfish, the Pacific footballfish. Green biofluorescence was observed in small spots on the distal surface of the esca. While the wavelength of bioluminescent light is unknown for this species, it is possible that light produced by this species also results in biofluorescent emission that may create a more complex lure for attracting prey or mates.

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“…The shape and size of the lure are species specific. The lure of the hispid frogfish ( Antennarius hispidus ) resembles a tube worm, that of the warty frogfish ( A. maculatus ) resembles a small fish (Pietsch & Grobecker, 1987), while that of the striated frogfish ( A. striatus ) resembles a bioluminescent worm (Brauwer & Hobbs, 2016). The frogfish manipulates the lure in ways that simulate the natural swimming movements of the model.…”

Section: Ambush Predatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Camouflage in predators

Smith

Ruxton

2020

Biological Reviews

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Camouflage – adaptations that prevent detection and/or recognition – is a key example of evolution by natural selection, making it a primary focus in evolutionary ecology and animal behaviour. Most work has focused on camouflage as an anti‐predator adaptation. However, predators also display specific colours, patterns and behaviours that reduce visual detection or recognition to facilitate predation. To date, very little attention has been given to predatory camouflage strategies. Although many of the same principles of camouflage studied in prey translate to predators, differences between the two groups (in motility, relative size, and control over the time and place of predation attempts) may alter selection pressures for certain visual and behavioural traits. This makes many predatory camouflage techniques unique and rarely documented. Recently, new technologies have emerged that provide a greater opportunity to carry out research on natural predator–prey interactions. Here we review work on the camouflage strategies used by pursuit and ambush predators to evade detection and recognition by prey, as well as looking at how work on prey camouflage can be applied to predators in order to understand how and why specific predatory camouflage strategies may have evolved. We highlight that a shift is needed in camouflage research focus, as this field has comparatively neglected camouflage in predators, and offer suggestions for future work that would help to improve our understanding of camouflage.

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Stars and stripes: biofluorescent lures in the striated frogfish indicate role in aggressive mimicry

Cited by 4 publications

References 1 publication

Green Fluorescence Patterns in Closely Related Symbiotic Species of Zanclea (Hydrozoa, Capitata)

Green Fluorescence Patterns in Closely Related Symbiotic Species of Zanclea (Hydrozoa, Capitata)

First detection of biofluorescence in a deep‐sea anglerfish

Camouflage in predators

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