Marine scientists have found that hogfish can not only change colour for camouflage but also use their skin to view their surroundings.
Research published in the Nature Communications journal suggests hogfish can take a virtual “photo” of their own skin.
The hogfish, so-named because of its “pig-like” snout, which it uses to root for crustaceans, is a species of wrasse found in the western Atlantic from Nova Scotia in Canada to northern South America.
Previous research has confirmed that hogfish have a light-sensitive protein called opsin in their skin, which is different to the protein found in their eyes.
The scientists analysed samples of the hogfish’s skin, and identified many cells called chromatophores, which contain granules of colours.
They noticed that the chromatophores move around in the cell, and identified the light-sensitive protein located in cells below the chromatophores.
Light striking the skin of the hogfish has to pass the chromatophores before reaching the light-sensitive layer, allowing the fish to capture changes in the light.
Schweikert has described it as a sensory feedback mechanism that lets the hogfish monitor its own skin while it changes colours.
The paper is published here
