Journal
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
Volume 85, Issue 5, Pages 1634-1649Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12519
Keywords
adaptive colouration; chromatophore; colour pattern; crypsis; defence; disruptive colouration
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Funding
- Office of Naval Research [N00014-06-1-0202]
- Department of Marine Science at the University of Connecticut
- Little Cayman Research Centre
- Feng Travel Fund
- George Burlew Scholarship
- Explorer's Fund of the Explorer's Club
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This field study describes the camouflage pattern repertoire, associated behaviours and speed of pattern change of Nassau groupers Epinephelus striatus at Little Cayman Island, British West Indies. Three basic camouflaged body patterns were observed under natural conditions and characterized quantitatively. The mean speed of pattern change across the entire body was 444s (range = 097-987s); the fastest pattern change as well as contrast change within a fixed pattern occurred within 1s. Aside from apparent defensive camouflage, E. striatus used camouflage offensively to approach crustacean or fish prey, and three successful predation events were recorded. Although animal camouflage is a widespread tactic, dynamic camouflage is relatively uncommon and has been studied rarely in marine teleosts under natural conditions. The rapid changes observed in E. striatus suggest direct neural control of some skin colouration elements, and comparative studies of functional morphology and behaviour of colour change in other coral-reef teleosts are likely to reveal new mechanisms and adaptations of dynamic colouration. (C) 2014 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles
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