Fish recognize each other under ultraviolet light

While we rely on factors such as eye color and hair color to distinguish ethnic groups, some fish species rely on ultraviolet (UV) light to distinguish this species from other fish, according to a study. Rescue will be published in Current Biology in March.

Under ultraviolet light, Lemon fish have reflective spots with more UV-sensitive rays than in Ambon.

Scientists have long known that some animals can be seen with ultraviolet rays. However, they have not been able to detect how their eyes work because the human eye cannot observe ultraviolet rays.

Scientists have studied two different species of princesses. Basically, these two species have similar size and aggression, so it is difficult to distinguish them.

The study was conducted by placing a male king of Ambon ( Pomacentrus amboinensis ) and a Lemon ( P. moluccensis ) male king into two different plastic tubes. In natural light conditions, these two males tend to want to fight each other when they see each other.

However, scientists used UV light in the experiment to see if the two species could distinguish their opponents. Under ultraviolet light, Lemon fish have reflective spots with more UV-sensitive rays than in Ambon.

Experimental results show that the two males of these two different lord species can still detect differences between them even in UV light. Show that their eyes can see objects under ultraviolet light.

"We do not know what factors are used by these fish, but the research results show that they can differentiate between them in UV light," said Dr. Ulrike Siebeck, of the Great University. Study Queensland (Australia), said.