Fluorescence was confirmed by extensive spectrometry in the laboratory. Results We here report that at least 32 reef fishes from 16 genera and 5 families show pronounced red fluorescence under natural, daytime conditions at depths where downwelling red light is virtually absent. However, previous studies ignore the fact that several marine organisms, including deep sea fish, produce their own red luminescence and are capable of seeing it. Combining the typically poor long-wavelength sensitivity of fish eyes with the presumed lack of ambient red light, red light is currently considered irrelevant for reef fish. Consequently, the visual pigments of many reef fish are matched to shorter wavelengths, which are transmitted better by water. Red fluorescence in reef fish: A novel signalling mechanism?ĭirectory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)įull Text Available Abstract Background At depths below 10 m, reefs are dominated by blue-green light because seawater selectively absorbs the longer, 'red' wavelengths beyond 600 nm from the downwelling sunlight.
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