Wild observation of putative dynamic decapod mimicry by a cuttlefish (Sepia cf. smithi)

Elden, Sean van; Meeuwig, Jessica J.

doi:10.1007/s12526-020-01117-0

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 28 publications

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“…Stereo‐BRUVS are a well‐established, non‐destructive sampling method for documenting abundance, diversity, biomass and size structure of marine communities (Cappo et al., 2006). Stereo‐BRUVS can be deployed across large spatial scales, to record large quantities of video data (Letessier et al., 2013) and to study behaviour in a range of animals as part of broader ecological studies, including fish (Fox & Bellwood, 2008), moray eels (Barley et al., 2016), cuttlefish (van Elden & Meeuwig, 2020) and sharks (Birt et al., 2019). The aims of this study were to test whether frequency of colour phases of lethrinids varied by species and determine rapid physiological colour change and the association with feeding behaviour.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Colour change and colour phases in Lethrinidae with insights into ecology

Widmann,

van Elden,

Meeuwig

2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Colour change is used by a wide range of animals. It is used for intra‐ and interspecific communication and crypsis, and can occur on morphological and physiological levels. Bony fish employ rapid physiological colour change and display various types of patterns and colouration (colour phases) useful for aposematic and cryptic purposes. Using an existing database of benthic stereo‐baited remote underwater video systems from two locations in Western Australia, we tested whether the frequency of colour phases of emperors, Lethrinidae, varied by species. We described colour phases and rapid physiological colour change in 16 species of lethrinids, and related occurrences of colour change to feeding activity and life stages. Dark and light colour phases were observed in nine of the 16 evaluated species of which seven also displayed physiological colour change. Frequency of colour phases varied between species, suggesting that the display of different dark patterns may be especially important for certain species. Both juveniles and adults showed the ability to change between different colour patterns. The change into a mottled pattern mainly occurred while feeding or when approaching to feed, suggesting that it may be triggered by feeding and the associated decrease in environmental awareness. Colour change is a commonly observed strategy in lethrinids and may have evolved as an adaptation for increased foraging success or to reduce aggression from conspecifics. Physiological colour change allows lethrinids to quickly adapt to various cues from the environment and can therefore be considered a versatile physiological mechanism in this family.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Colour change and colour phases in Lethrinidae with insights into ecology

Widmann,

van Elden,

Meeuwig

2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Expanding evolutionary neuroscience: insights from comparing variation in behavior

Jourjine

Hoekstra

2021

Neuron

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The evolution of predator avoidance in cephalopods: A case of brain over brawn?

et al. 2022

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Predation is a major evolutionary driver of animal adaptation. However, understanding of anti-predator evolution is biased toward vertebrate taxa. Cephalopoda, a class in the invertebrate phylum Mollusca, are known for their diverse anti-predator strategies, characterised by their behavioural flexibility. While ancestral cephalopods were protected by a hard outer shell, extant cephalopods have greatly reduced their reliance on physical defences. Instead, cephalopods have evolved highly developed senses to identify potential threats, cryptic skin patterns to avoid detection, startle responses to deter attack, and elaborate means of escape. While cephalopod anti-predator repertoires are relatively well described, their evolution, and the selective pressures that shaped them, have received much less attention. This is despite their potential relevance, in turn, to elucidate evolution of the remarkable cognitive abilities of cephalopods. Here, we review cephalopod anti-predator evolution, considering four key aspects: (i) shell reduction and loss; (ii) the skin patterning system; (iii) the ecological context accompanying the evolution of advanced cognit.ive abilities; (iv) why the evolutionary trajectory taken by cephalopods is so unique among invertebrates. In doing so, we consider the unique physiology of cephalopods and discuss how this may have constrained or aided the development of their anti-predator repertoire. In particular, cephalopods are poorly equipped to defend themselves physically and escape predation by fish, due to a lack of comparable weaponry or musculature. We argue that this may have selected for alternative forms of defence, driving an evolutionary trajectory favouring crypsis and complex behaviours, and the promotion of sensory and cognitive adaptations. Unravelling the complexities of cephalopod anti-predator evolution remains challenging. However, recent technological developments available for cephalopod field and laboratory studies, coupled with new genomic data and analysis approaches, offer great scope to generate novel insights.

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Wild observation of putative dynamic decapod mimicry by a cuttlefish (Sepia cf. smithi)

Cited by 3 publications

References 28 publications

Colour change and colour phases in Lethrinidae with insights into ecology

Colour change and colour phases in Lethrinidae with insights into ecology

Expanding evolutionary neuroscience: insights from comparing variation in behavior

The evolution of predator avoidance in cephalopods: A case of brain over brawn?

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