The Losey Lab Research: Using UV

Silvery fishes flash as they move, due to specular reflection (like a signalling mirror). This signal might be used help school, but it would also presumably be seen by predators. We tested two schooling species with UV vision, and one without, and found that the ones with UV vision show maximum reflection in the UV, whereas the fish that couldn't see UV didn't flash any brighter in the UV. Bright flashing in the UV couldn't be seen by most predators, who lack UV vision. We tested one fish species (see below) with UV vision by watching them school both with, and without, UV light present. When these fish didn't have UV light available, their school broke down, with the fish spreading out farther than they did when UV light was present (see below--the red line is fish without UV, the blue line fish with UV). The study continues. For more information on this ongoing work, contact Dr. Peter Nelson.

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