Correlation between bioluminescent blinks and swimming behavior in the splitfin flashlight fish Anomalops katoptron.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The light organs of the splitfin flashlight fish Anomalops katoptron are necessary for schooling behavior, to determine nearest neighbor distance, and to feed on zooplankton under dim light conditions. Each behavior is coupled to context-dependent blink frequencies and can be regulated via mechanical occlusion of light organs. During shoaling in the laboratory individuals show moderate blink frequencies around 100 blinks per minute. In this study, we correlated bioluminescent blinks with the spatio-temporal dynamics of swimming profiles in three dimensions, using a stereoscopic, infrared camera system.

Results

Groups of flashlight fish showed intermediate levels of polarization and distances to the group centroid. Individuals showed higher swimming speeds and curv

SUBMITTER: Jagers P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11234731 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature