Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Dissection and Flat-mounting of the Threespine Stickleback Branchial Skeleton
Published on: May 7, 2016
Ballistic Beloniformes attacking through Snell's Window
R D Day1, F Mueller1, L Carseldine1
1School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.
Abstract:
Needlefishes (Beloniformes) were observed employing a range of stalking and attacking behaviours to attack schools of bait fishes ranging from the use of tactics common to predatory fishes to a novel behaviour: the use of leaping, aerial attacks. These aerial attacks are suggested to serve two purposes: to extend the attack range of the needlefishes and to reduce their prey's potential for evasion. Furthermore, a third purpose is hypothesized that the needlefishes are taking advantage of Snell's Window, an optical effect which may mask their approach to their prey.
Related Concept Videos
Fixed Action Patterns
Convergent Evolution
Types of Selection
Predator-Prey Interactions
Optimal Foraging
Conservation of Declining Populations

