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11 - Camouflage in marine fish

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

By
Justin Marshall  and
Sönke Johnsen
Edited by
Martin Stevens  and
Sami Merilaita
Justin Marshall
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland
Sönke Johnsen
Affiliation:
Duke University
Martin Stevens
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
Sami Merilaita
Affiliation:
Åbo Akademi University, Finland
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Summary

When we enter the marine environment as divers, snorkellers or even as television viewers, two things are immediately notable. We are supported by the water (or possibly armchair) ‘flying’ through a three-dimensional world, and we can't see very far. The latter is an uncomfortable experience as we are afraid of what might be just beyond our visual range, brandishing lots of teeth. These two physical features also set real limits for the animals that have evolved in this habitat and have a significant influence on their camouflage strategies. Many marine inhabitants are also wary of lurking teeth and know, through evolution, that attack may come from any direction.

Type
Chapter
Information
Animal Camouflage
Mechanisms and Function
 , pp. 186 - 211
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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