Is this why finding Nemo is so difficult? Scientists discover ‘Houdini’ trick used by fish to disappear underwater and say it could help camouflage divers
- Researchers discover structures in fish's skin that reflects polarized light
- Reflecting polarized light tricks predictors into think prey disappeared
- Studied five species of fish in Florida Keys and Curacao
- Designed a polarimeter to record polarized light in real time
- Two species have much better camouflage in polarized light than a mirror
When a fish senses predators in its midst, it quickly vanishes into thin air.
This isn’t a fancy magic trick, as researchers have discovered the power behind this phenomenon, which could be used for military purposes.
A study shows some fish have microscopic structures, called platelets, in their skin cells that is used to reflect polarized light and trick predators into thinking their prey has escaped.
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Simulated view of how the lookdown fish would appear in polarized light with mirrored skin (left) versus skin that reflects polarized light (right). Images are from simulations created by the Cummings lab. This recent study, performed in the actual ocean, show how the lookdowns and other fish in fact camouflage themselves this way in their natural habit
Researchers, Molly Cummings and Parrish Brady, from the University of Texas at Austin, designed a video polarimeter to record polarized light in real time, allowing them to see it exactly how fish do.
Polarized light is made up of light waves traveling in the same plane, similar to the bright glare seen when sunlight reflects off the surface of water.
Under the surface is where light is usually polarized, and fish and high-tech satellites have the ability to detect variations in such polarized light.
‘Fish have evolved the means to detect polarized light,’ said Cummings, professor of integrative biology in the College of Natural Sciences.
‘Given that, we suggested they’ve probably evolved the means to hide in polarized light.’
‘If we can identify that process, then we can improve upon our own camouflage technology for that environment.’
Finding the most effective way to hide underwater has been on the top of the U.S. Navy’s list for decades and because of that, the organization has been big supporters of Cummings’s work.
A previous study, which took place in a laboratory, analysed how a fish called the lookdown were able to manipulate polarized light to its advantage.
The technique could have come handy for Nemo in the hit Pixar film
This recent study, performed in the actual ocean, show how the lookdowns and other fish in fact camouflage themselves this way in their natural habit.
The team traveled to the Florida Keys and Curacao, where they studied five different species of fish.
Brady and Cummings collaborated with scientists from City College of New York, Texas A&M University and other institutions to develop an automated rotating platform that holds the fish in place, while the polarimeter took numerous measurements.
An adjustable arm held the polarimeter about a meter away from a fish, which is stationed on a mirror.
The platform then took three minutes to spin 360 degrees, while the polarimeter recorded.
An adjustment was made after ever 360 degree turn, such as shifting the angle of polarimeter or adjusting the position of the fish, then another rotation begins.
During this underwater study, more than 1,500 different angular configurations were captured for each fish.
The results showed the lookdown and bigeye scad species have much better camouflage in polarized light than a mirror had.
They also blended in more than two reef-dwelling fish and one surface-skimming fish, all of which live in environment s where polarized light is not as important.
Scientists have discovered the power behind this phenomenon, which could be used for military purposes. A study shows some fish have microscopic structures, called platelets, in their skin cells that can be used to reflect polarized light and trick predators into thinking their prey has escaped
Notably, the open ocean fish were most camouflaged in what are called ‘chase angles,’ which extend out 45 degrees in all directions from the tail or head.
These are the directions from which a predator would chase the fish, or from which the fish would pursue its own prey.
The Cummings lab found that the fish’s ability to conceal themselves in polarized light is because of the way the platelets are underneath its skin.
Depending on the angel, polarized light was scattered differently.
The next step in the study is looking at whether fish can actively manipulate this ability, such as by changing the angle it swims in or adjusting the platelets in its skin.
‘I think it’s a great example of how human applications can take advantage of evolutionary solutions and the value of evolutionary biology,’ said Cummings.
‘It's important for people to recognize that we take advantage of evolutionary processes and solutions all the time and that even our military does.’
During this underwater study, more than 1,500 different angular configurations were captured for each fish. The Cummings lab found that the fish’s ability to conceal themselves in polarized light is because of the way the platelets are underneath its skin. Depending on the angel, polarized light was scattered differently
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