Mantis shrimp fluoresce to enhance signaling in the dim ocean depths

ReefLady · 11-18-2003, 10:24 AM

Mantis shrimp fluoresce to enhance signaling in the dim ocean depths

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 14, 2003
University of California Berkeley

Berkeley - The tropical mantis shrimp has the most sophisticated eyes of any creature on the planet, yet it often lives at murky depths where the only light is a filtered, dim blue. Why does it need such complex vision?

Marine biologists and physiologists have now discovered at least one use for these eyes in the deep, blue ocean: to see the fluorescent markings mantis shrimp use to signal or threaten one another.

The shrimps' characteristic spots are easy to see in shallow water but only dimly visible 40 meters (131 feet) down, so on the ocean floor the crustacean's spots fluoresce yellow-green to enhance their prominence in the dim blue light.

Though fluorescence in marine animals is common - in corals and squid, for example - this is the first documented case of fluorescence used in signaling in the sea. Fluorescence occurs when a pigment absorbs one color of light, in this case blue, and emits a different color, such as yellow-green.

"If you look at this animal in shallow water or in bright white light, you pick out this set of yellow-green spots it uses in species recognition, and probably in mating as well - it's a typical signal that says, 'Here I am, I'm a Lysiosquillina glabriuscula,'" said marine biologist Roy Caldwell, professor of integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley. "But this animal also occurs at 40 meters, where there's no yellow light for that pigment to reflect, so that species-specific signal should be gone. But when you go down to 40 meters and you look at it, the yellow spot is still there."

"The stomatopod (or mantis shrimp) apparently is using a yellow-green fluorescence to maintain visual constancy of a species-specific signal," Caldwell said in a phone interview from Brisbane, Australia, where he is on sabbatical. "

Read full article here

Curtswearing · 11-18-2003, 03:53 PM

This is an excellent article!!! The video is not for the squeamish at heart though.

wooddood · 11-23-2003, 10:36 AM

i read the artical curt,but what video?

Curtswearing · 11-23-2003, 10:55 AM

try this link-----the video is underneath one of the pictures.

>>UC Berkely News<<

Maxx · 11-23-2003, 11:55 AM

was I the only one who was humming the theme music to "Jaws" during the video???

Curtswearing · 11-23-2003, 12:03 PM

The first time you see how fast they are, you decide REEEEAAAALLL quick to never put your hands in the tank.

Mary · 11-23-2003, 12:20 PM

Great link and love that video! I wish they had more too watch. I think that will be enough reminder about keeping my hands out of the tank. Thanks for posting it!

DPdsny · 11-23-2003, 12:42 PM

after seeing that video I don't know if I even want to walk in to the same room that my tank is in.

Craig Manoukian · 11-23-2003, 01:24 PM

Can't wait to get a 6 gallon eclipse acrylic for a Peacock Mantis. Someday! I loved the flick only too short!

Maxx · 11-23-2003, 01:58 PM

First time you get zapped, you use language in ways you've never thought possible

Think the dad from Xmas story was impressive, and lil Ralphie getting Scott Farkus back??? Nothing, I promise you...
Saw a story where some surgeon in S. Africa was snorkeling or scuba diving and tried to grab a 8+ incher and reportedly lost a finger....You guys remember the Gary Larson cartoon Far Side cartoon w/ the caption " How Nature says DO NOT TOUCH!!" couple different images of a Porcupine puffer all swollen up, A scorpion with the tail raised, a cat all puffed up, and some freak show standing on a corner wearing a trench coat, an inflatible animal around his waist, a boot on his head, backwards, holding a Bazooka, and looking paranoid??? Add a flared up mantis to that cartoon....
Nick

Mary · 11-23-2003, 02:35 PM

Craig,
Love that banner!

Maxx,
I take it that you've been in a Mantis strike zone?

fidojoe · 11-23-2003, 02:37 PM

That video is kinda cool

Great article also

Maxx · 11-23-2003, 03:13 PM

Quote:

I take it that you've been in a Mantis strike zone?

yeah as a kid in Hawaii, I put my fingers in a hole to keep from being knocked around by a wave, and offended a smaller mantis...got the scars to show for how unreasonable they can be..
Nick

RogueCorps · 12-11-2003, 07:46 AM

Cool info... Dr. Roy is my hero.

Maxx, there was a guy snorkelling in K. Bay, Oahu who swam over a shallow den of a pair of large spearers. They gave the poor guy multiple puncture wounds in his thigh, right through his wetsuit.

Note to self: Stay away from holes...

-Rogue

Pro_builder · 12-11-2003, 08:08 AM

thanks for the info.

11-18-2003, 10:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,027 View Gallery Karma Komment	Mantis shrimp fluoresce to enhance signaling in the dim ocean depths Mantis shrimp fluoresce to enhance signaling in the dim ocean depths "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, November 14, 2003 University of California Berkeley Berkeley - The tropical mantis shrimp has the most sophisticated eyes of any creature on the planet, yet it often lives at murky depths where the only light is a filtered, dim blue. Why does it need such complex vision? Marine biologists and physiologists have now discovered at least one use for these eyes in the deep, blue ocean: to see the fluorescent markings mantis shrimp use to signal or threaten one another. The shrimps' characteristic spots are easy to see in shallow water but only dimly visible 40 meters (131 feet) down, so on the ocean floor the crustacean's spots fluoresce yellow-green to enhance their prominence in the dim blue light. Though fluorescence in marine animals is common - in corals and squid, for example - this is the first documented case of fluorescence used in signaling in the sea. Fluorescence occurs when a pigment absorbs one color of light, in this case blue, and emits a different color, such as yellow-green. "If you look at this animal in shallow water or in bright white light, you pick out this set of yellow-green spots it uses in species recognition, and probably in mating as well - it's a typical signal that says, 'Here I am, I'm a Lysiosquillina glabriuscula,'" said marine biologist Roy Caldwell, professor of integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley. "But this animal also occurs at 40 meters, where there's no yellow light for that pigment to reflect, so that species-specific signal should be gone. But when you go down to 40 meters and you look at it, the yellow spot is still there." "The stomatopod (or mantis shrimp) apparently is using a yellow-green fluorescence to maintain visual constancy of a species-specific signal," Caldwell said in a phone interview from Brisbane, Australia, where he is on sabbatical. " Read full article here

11-23-2003, 10:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	i read the artical curt,but what video? __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

11-23-2003, 10:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	try this link-----the video is underneath one of the pictures. >>UC Berkely News<< __________________ In memory of Fluffy, please pause before hitting enter---being nice is free. Click for ReefKeeping FAQ'S Click for Product Reviews Click for Photo ID Gallery http://curtcpapfs.com/downloads/1Curt.jpg

11-23-2003, 11:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Maxx Manta Ray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 3,079 View Gallery Karma Komment	was I the only one who was humming the theme music to "Jaws" during the video??? __________________ "Chaos, confusion, despair...my work is done here." ...Some guy named Murphy.... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" Reef Sanctuary Knowledgebase (Answers to all your questions and then some!)

11-23-2003, 12:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	The first time you see how fast they are, you decide REEEEAAAALLL quick to never put your hands in the tank. __________________ In memory of Fluffy, please pause before hitting enter---being nice is free. Click for ReefKeeping FAQ'S Click for Product Reviews Click for Photo ID Gallery http://curtcpapfs.com/downloads/1Curt.jpg

11-18-2003, 03:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	This is an excellent article!!! The video is not for the squeamish at heart though.

11-23-2003, 12:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mary Evil Angel Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 269 View Gallery Karma Komment	Great link and love that video! I wish they had more too watch. I think that will be enough reminder about keeping my hands out of the tank. Thanks for posting it! __________________ *~ Michigan Reefers ~* *~ My Photos ~*

11-23-2003, 12:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
DPdsny Limpet Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Staten Island New York Posts: 127 View Gallery Karma Komment	after seeing that video I don't know if I even want to walk in to the same room that my tank is in. __________________ ----------------75gal FOWLR --------------------- I used to mountain bike , snowboard, surf, golf, hang out with friends, go out to eat, go to the movies, go on long vacations, go on weekend trips. But then .....................I got a fish tank!!!! -------------------------------------------------- THIS NEVER HAPPEND TO WOOGY.... This NEVER happend to woogy...(Somthing about Mary)

11-23-2003, 01:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 17,589 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Can't wait to get a 6 gallon eclipse acrylic for a Peacock Mantis. Someday! I loved the flick only too short! __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

11-23-2003, 01:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
Maxx Manta Ray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 3,079 View Gallery Karma Komment	First time you get zapped, you use language in ways you've never thought possible Think the dad from Xmas story was impressive, and lil Ralphie getting Scott Farkus back??? Nothing, I promise you... Saw a story where some surgeon in S. Africa was snorkeling or scuba diving and tried to grab a 8+ incher and reportedly lost a finger....You guys remember the Gary Larson cartoon Far Side cartoon w/ the caption " How Nature says DO NOT TOUCH!!" couple different images of a Porcupine puffer all swollen up, A scorpion with the tail raised, a cat all puffed up, and some freak show standing on a corner wearing a trench coat, an inflatible animal around his waist, a boot on his head, backwards, holding a Bazooka, and looking paranoid??? Add a flared up mantis to that cartoon.... Nick __________________ "Chaos, confusion, despair...my work is done here." ...Some guy named Murphy.... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" Reef Sanctuary Knowledgebase (Answers to all your questions and then some!)

11-23-2003, 02:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
Mary Evil Angel Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 269 View Gallery Karma Komment	Craig, Love that banner! Maxx, I take it that you've been in a Mantis strike zone? __________________ *~ Michigan Reefers ~* *~ My Photos ~*

11-23-2003, 02:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
fidojoe Fish Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,581 View Gallery Karma Komment	That video is kinda cool Great article also __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* My Tank: 90g AGA, 18g tall sump, CSS 220 w/ meshmod impeller, 4x54w Tek T5 retro w/ IC reflectors, Kalk reactor w/ aquamedic niveaumat system, a few SPS, LPS, zoos, and a few softies, 2 Ocellaris Clowns (hosted by both a RBTA and GBTA), Yellow Watchman, Potter's angel, Yellow Tang, Foxface, Midas Blenny, Purple Pseudo, huge brittle star, 2 tigertail cukes, fire shrimp, snails, and unfortunately two emerald crabs (the bubble algae got out of control).

12-11-2003, 07:46 AM	#14 (permalink)
RogueCorps Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 106 View Gallery Karma Komment	Cool info... Dr. Roy is my hero. Maxx, there was a guy snorkelling in K. Bay, Oahu who swam over a shallow den of a pair of large spearers. They gave the poor guy multiple puncture wounds in his thigh, right through his wetsuit. Note to self: Stay away from holes... -Rogue __________________ Mantis Shrimp Rights Activist - Have you hugged your stomatopod today?

12-11-2003, 08:08 AM	#15 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	thanks for the info. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

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