Science Daily: Mid-Ocean Creatures Control Light to Avoid Becoming Snacks


Two Japetella octopuses show how they can change from clear to opaque
Photo Credit: Duke University

If you're a snack-sized squid or octopus living in the ocean zone where the last bit of daylight gives way, having some control over your reflection could be a matter of life and death. Most predators cruising 600 to 1,000 meters below the surface spot the silhouette of their prey against the light background above them. But others use searchlights mounted on their heads.

Being transparent and a little bit reflective is a good defense against the silhouette-spotters, but it would be deadly against the "headlight fish," says Duke postdoctoral researcher Sarah Zylinski.

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Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 11/19/2011 10:00 AM
Categories: Sea Life
Tags: ocean squid sea life octopus
 

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