Researchers at Duke University recently discovered a technique used by many marine animals - most specifically cephalopods - to camouflage themselves from deep-sea predators. Their research was published last week in the journal Current Biology. The research focused on octopi and squids. In shallow, sunlit waters, the creatures appear almost completely invisible because of their transparent skin. Sunlight is diffused evenly through the ocean water, allowing the creatures are able to remain relatively invisible, but as the depth increases, especially around 800 meters below the surface, the sunlight begins to fade.
Researchers believe that this may make it harder for translucent creatures to hide as predators have an easier time detecting their presence because of their light color. Many deep-sea predators have light-producing organs, which allow them to shine blue light directly onto even the most transparent creatures and make them easily visible. Researchers found that transparent creatures' skin contain chromatophores, pigment-producing cells which enable them to adapt and protect themselves from these bioluminescent predators. When blue light is shined directly onto the creatures, chromatophore cells cause the skin to change color rapidly, from the normal translucency to a darker pigmented color. Creatures are thus able to hide themselves from deep-sea predators by becoming invisible within the environment.
-compiled by Claire Hunn
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