In an exciting ‘first’, evolutionary biologists at the University of Tübingen, Germany have demonstrated that deep red fluorescent body coloration is not only exhibited by certain reef fishes, it can also be perceived and has behavioral significance. Utilizing red biofluorescence in the 650–700nm range, the new research shows suggests that male red-eye wrasses Cirrhilabrus solorensis (a species from the western central Pacific, commonly available to hobbyists) use their fluorescence markings as a ‘private frequency’ to communicate amongst themselves. Interestingly, this fluorescence is in a deep red part of the spectrum which was previously believed fish could not see or make use of. To prove the theory, male wrasses were placed in aquaria where they reacted aggressively towards their own reflections in a mirror. However, when a filter was placed in front of the mirror masking the fluorescence, the fish lost interest. More: Fluorescent Red Display Is A First For Reef Fishes… More:
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