Facing the environment: onset and development of UV markings in young fish.

ABSTRACT: Most colour patterns in animals represent an elegant compromise between conspicuousness to ensure effective communication with preferred receivers and camouflage to avoid attracting the attention of unwanted predators. Many species, including several coral reef fishes, overcome this conflict by using ultraviolet (UV) colouration and signalling, as these colours are visible only over short distances and are often invisible to their predators. Despite a great interest in their behavioural significance and ecological influence on survival, little is known about when these colours first develop on the bodies of free-living animals. Here we show for the first time that the UV facial patterns of a coral reef fish do not develop in captivity but only when juveniles experience the socio-behavioura

SUBMITTER: Gagliano M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4539538 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature