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Camouflage: Being Invisible in the Open Ocean
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21043, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|November 23, 2016
Summary
Midwater crustaceans achieve invisibility using natural antireflection coatings. These coatings minimize light reflection, enhancing camouflage in the open ocean environment.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Biophysics
- Optics
Background:
- Transparency is a common camouflage strategy for pelagic animals in the open ocean.
- Surface light scattering and reflection can compromise the effectiveness of transparency for concealment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms by which midwater crustaceans enhance their transparency and invisibility.
- To identify specific adaptations that reduce light reflection from the body surface.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic examination of midwater crustacean exoskeletons.
- Optical measurements of light reflection and transmission.
- Analysis of surface structures potentially acting as antireflection coatings.
Main Results:
- Certain midwater crustaceans possess specialized nanostructures on their body surfaces.
- These nanostructures function as effective antireflection coatings, significantly reducing light reflection.
- The coatings enhance the overall transparency and camouflage of the crustaceans.
Conclusions:
- Antireflection coatings are a key adaptation for achieving invisibility in transparent marine organisms.
- This research reveals a novel strategy employed by midwater crustaceans for predator avoidance and prey detection.
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