Dryad
Published November 6, 2016 | Version v1
Dataset Open

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

Authors/Creators

  • 1. The University of Texas at Austin
  • 2. City University of New York
  • 3. Texas A&M University
  • 4. Atlantic University
  • 5. University of Connecticut

Description

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.

Notes

science data for repository
READ ME FILE

Files

Files (840.5 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:83dc8c724f9d02e759efef9ae4dda0fb
13.7 kB Download
md5:8d0789b8d79ecad04c7fe452dcc79216
826.8 kB Download

Additional details

Related works

Is cited by
10.1126/science.aad5284 (DOI)