Animal Minds; stealth swimmers (Animals)

by David Turell , Monday, August 07, 2023, 17:57 (264 days ago) @ David Turell

Fish hiding behind other fish:

https://phys.org/news/2023-08-stealth-swimmers-fish.html

"A new study provides the first experimental evidence that the trumpetfish, Aulostomus maculatus, can conceal itself by swimming closely behind another fish while hunting—and reduce the likelihood of being detected by its prey.

"In this 'shadowing' behavior, the long, thin trumpetfish uses a non-threatening species of fish, such as parrotfish, as camouflage to get closer to its dinner.

"This is the only known example of one non-human animal using another as a form of concealment.

***

"'When a trumpetfish swims closely alongside another species of fish, it's either hidden from its' prey entirely, or seen but not recognized as a predator because the shape is different," said Dr. Sam Matchette, a researcher in the University of Cambridge's Department of Zoology and first author of the study.

***

"'The shadowing behavior of the trumpetfish appears a useful strategy to improve its hunting success. We might see this behavior becoming more common in the future as fewer structures on the reef are available for them to hide behind," said Dr. James Herbert-Read in the University of Cambridge's Department of Zoology, senior author of the study."

Comment: see the pictures to appreciate the trick. This is an instinct that probably started
when a trumpetfish tried it out. Yes, that was an intellectual perception as in Turner's studies.