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Mitchell LJ, Phelan A, Cortesi F, Marshall NJ, Chung WS, Osorio DC, Cheney KL. Ultraviolet vision in anemonefish improves colour discrimination. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb247425. [PMID: 38586934 PMCID: PMC11057877 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.247425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
In many animals, ultraviolet (UV) vision guides navigation, foraging, and communication, but few studies have addressed the contribution of UV signals to colour vision, or measured UV discrimination thresholds using behavioural experiments. Here, we tested UV colour vision in an anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) using a five-channel (RGB-V-UV) LED display. We first determined that the maximal sensitivity of the A. ocellaris UV cone was ∼386 nm using microspectrophotometry. Three additional cone spectral sensitivities had maxima at ∼497, 515 and ∼535 nm. We then behaviourally measured colour discrimination thresholds by training anemonefish to distinguish a coloured target pixel from grey distractor pixels of varying intensity. Thresholds were calculated for nine sets of colours with and without UV signals. Using a tetrachromatic vision model, we found that anemonefish were better (i.e. discrimination thresholds were lower) at discriminating colours when target pixels had higher UV chromatic contrast. These colours caused a greater stimulation of the UV cone relative to other cone types. These findings imply that a UV component of colour signals and cues improves their detectability, which likely increases the prominence of anemonefish body patterns for communication and the silhouette of zooplankton prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie J. Mitchell
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Amelia Phelan
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Fabio Cortesi
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - N. Justin Marshall
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Wen-sung Chung
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel C. Osorio
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Karen L. Cheney
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Hayashi K, Locke NJM, Laudet V. Counting Nemo: anemonefish Amphiprion ocellaris identify species by number of white bars. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246357. [PMID: 38301046 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The brilliant colors of coral reef fish have received much research attention. This is well exemplified by anemonefish, which have distinct white bar patterns and inhabit host anemones and defend them as a territory. The 28 described species have between 0 and 3 white bars present, which has been suggested to be important for species recognition. In the present study, we found that Amphiprion ocellaris (a species that displays three white bars) hatched and reared in aquaria, when faced with an intruder fish, attacked their own species more frequently than other species of intruding anemonefish. Additionally, we explicitly tested whether this species could distinguish models with different numbers of bars. For this, 120 individuals of A. ocellaris were presented with four different models (no bars, and 1, 2 and 3 bars) and we compared whether the frequency of aggressive behavior towards the model differed according to the number of bars. The frequency of aggressive behavior toward the 3-bar model was the same as against living A. ocellaris, and was higher than towards any of the other models. We conclude that A. ocellaris use the number of white bars as a cue to identify and attack only competitors that might use the same host. We considered this as an important behavior for efficient host defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kina Hayashi
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Noah J M Locke
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Vincent Laudet
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology (ICOB), Academia Sinica, 23-10, Dah-Uen Rd, Jiau Shi, I-Lan 262, Taiwan
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Herrera M, Ravasi T, Laudet V. Anemonefishes: A model system for evolutionary genomics. F1000Res 2023; 12:204. [PMID: 37928172 PMCID: PMC10624958 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.130752.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Anemonefishes are an iconic group of coral reef fish particularly known for their mutualistic relationship with sea anemones. This mutualism is especially intriguing as it likely prompted the rapid diversification of anemonefish. Understanding the genomic architecture underlying this process has indeed become one of the holy grails of evolutionary research in these fishes. Recently, anemonefishes have also been used as a model system to study the molecular basis of highly complex traits such as color patterning, social sex change, larval dispersal and life span. Extensive genomic resources including several high-quality reference genomes, a linkage map, and various genetic tools have indeed enabled the identification of genomic features controlling some of these fascinating attributes, but also provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive responses to changing environments. Here, we review the latest findings and new avenues of research that have led to this group of fish being regarded as a model for evolutionary genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Herrera
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Timothy Ravasi
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Vincent Laudet
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology (ICOB), Academia Sinica, 23-10, Dah-Uen Rd, Jiau Shi I-Lan 262, Taiwan
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Mitchell LJ, Cortesi F, Marshall NJ, Cheney KL. Higher ultraviolet skin reflectance signals submissiveness in the anemonefish, Amphiprion akindynos. Behav Ecol 2023; 34:19-32. [PMID: 36789393 PMCID: PMC9918861 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultraviolet (UV) vision is widespread among teleost fishes, of which many exhibit UV skin colors for communication. However, aside from its role in mate selection, few studies have examined the information UV signaling conveys in other socio-behavioral contexts. Anemonefishes (subfamily, Amphiprioninae) live in a fascinating dominance hierarchy, in which a large female and male dominate over non-breeding subordinates, and body size is the primary cue for dominance. The iconic orange and white bars of anemonefishes are highly UV-reflective, and their color vision is well tuned to perceive the chromatic contrast of skin, which we show here decreases in the amount of UV reflectance with increasing social rank. To test the function of their UV-skin signals, we compared the outcomes of staged contests over dominance between size-matched Barrier Reef anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos) in aquarium chambers viewed under different UV-absorbing filters. Fish under UV-blocking filters were more likely to win contests, where fish under no-filter or neutral-density filter were more likely to submit. For contests between fish in no-filter and neutral density filter treatments, light treatment had no effect on contest outcome (win/lose). We also show that sub-adults were more aggressive toward smaller juveniles placed under a UV filter than a neutral density filter. Taken together, our results show that UV reflectance or UV contrast in anemonefish can modulate aggression and encode dominant and submissive cues, when changes in overall intensity are controlled for.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie J Mitchell
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Fabio Cortesi
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - N Justin Marshall
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Karen L Cheney
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Hayashi K, Tachihara K, Reimer JD, Laudet V. Colour patterns influence symbiosis and competition in the anemonefish-host anemone symbiosis system. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221576. [PMID: 36196541 PMCID: PMC9532990 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colour patterns in fish are often used as an important medium for communication. Anemonefish, characterized by specific patterns of white bars, inhabit host anemones and defend the area around an anemone as their territory. The host anemone is used not only by the anemonefish, but also by other fish species that use anemones as temporary shelters. Anemonefish may be able to identify potential competitors by their colour patterns. We first examined the colour patterns of fish using host anemones inhabited by Amphiprion ocellaris as shelter and compared them with the patterns of fish using surrounding scleractinian corals. There were no fish with bars sheltering in host anemones, although many fish with bars were found in surrounding corals. Next, two fish models, one with white bars and the other with white stripes on a black background, were presented to an A. ocellaris colony. The duration of aggressive behaviour towards the bar model was significantly longer than that towards the stripe model. We conclude that differences in aggressive behaviour by the anemonefish possibly select the colour patterns of cohabiting fish. This study indicates that colour patterns may influence not only intraspecific interactions but also interspecific interactions in coral reef ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kina Hayashi
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Katsunori Tachihara
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - James Davis Reimer
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Vincent Laudet
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology (ICOB), Academia Sinica, 23-10, Dah-Uen Rd, Jiau Shi I-Lan 262, Taiwan
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Klann M, Mercader M, Carlu L, Hayashi K, Reimer JD, Laudet V. Variation on a theme: pigmentation variants and mutants of anemonefish. EvoDevo 2021; 12:8. [PMID: 34147131 PMCID: PMC8214269 DOI: 10.1186/s13227-021-00178-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Pigmentation patterning systems are of great interest to understand how changes in developmental mechanisms can lead to a wide variety of patterns. These patterns are often conspicuous, but their origins remain elusive for many marine fish species. Dismantling a biological system allows a better understanding of the required components and the deciphering of how such complex systems are established and function. Valuable information can be obtained from detailed analyses and comparisons of pigmentation patterns of mutants and/or variants from normal patterns. Anemonefishes have been popular marine fish in aquaculture for many years, which has led to the isolation of several mutant lines, and in particular color alterations, that have become very popular in the pet trade. Additionally, scattered information about naturally occurring aberrant anemonefish is available on various websites and image platforms. In this review, the available information on anemonefish color pattern alterations has been gathered and compiled in order to characterize and compare different mutations. With the global picture of anemonefish mutants and variants emerging from this, such as presence or absence of certain phenotypes, information on the patterning system itself can be gained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen Klann
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Manon Mercader
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Lilian Carlu
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - Kina Hayashi
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology Lab, Graduate School of the Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
| | - James Davis Reimer
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology Lab, Graduate School of the Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
| | - Vincent Laudet
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan.
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology (ICOB), Academia Sinica, 23-10, Dah-Uen Rd, Jiau Shi, I-Lan 262, I-Lan, Taiwan.
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Tang KL, Stiassny MLJ, Mayden RL, DeSalle R. Systematics of Damselfishes. ICHTHYOLOGY & HERPETOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1643/i2020105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin L. Tang
- University of Michigan–Flint, Department of Biology, 303 East Kearsley St., Flint, Michigan 48502; . Send reprint requests to this address
| | - Melanie L. J. Stiassny
- American Museum of Natural History, Department of Ichthyology, Central Park West at 79th St., New York, New York 10024;
| | - Richard L. Mayden
- Saint Louis University, Department of Biology, 3507 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63103;
| | - Robert DeSalle
- American Museum of Natural History, Division of Invertebrate Zoology, Central Park West at 79th St., New York, New York 10024;
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Apprill A. The Role of Symbioses in the Adaptation and Stress Responses of Marine Organisms. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2020; 12:291-314. [PMID: 31283425 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-010419-010641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Ocean ecosystems are experiencing unprecedented rates of climate and anthropogenic change, which can often initiate stress in marine organisms. Symbioses, or associations between different organisms, are plentiful in the ocean and could play a significant role in facilitating organismal adaptations to stressful ocean conditions. This article reviews current knowledge about the role of symbiosis in marine organismal acclimation and adaptation. It discusses stress and adaptations in symbioses from coral reef ecosystems, which are among the most affected environments in the ocean, including the relationships between corals and microalgae, corals and bacteria, anemones and clownfish, and cleaner fish and client fish. Despite the importance of this subject, knowledge of how marine organisms adapt to stress is still limited, and there are vast opportunities for research and technological development in this area. Attention to this subject will enhance our understanding of the capacity of symbioses to alleviate organismal stress in the oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Apprill
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA;
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A detailed investigation of the visual system and visual ecology of the Barrier Reef anemonefish, Amphiprion akindynos. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16459. [PMID: 31712572 PMCID: PMC6848076 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52297-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vision plays a major role in the life of most teleosts, and is assumingly well adapted to each species ecology and behaviour. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we scrutinised several aspects of the visual system and ecology of the Great Barrier Reef anemonefish, Amphiprion akindynos, including its orange with white patterning, retinal anatomy and molecular biology, its symbiosis with anemones and sequential hermaphroditism. Amphiprion akindynos possesses spectrally distinct visual pigments and opsins: one rod opsin, RH1 (498 nm), and five cone opsins, SWS1 (370 nm), SWS2B (408 nm), RH2B (498 nm), RH2A (520 nm), and LWS (554 nm). Cones were arranged in a regular mosaic with each single cone surrounded by four double cones. Double cones mainly expressed RH2B (53%) in one member and RH2A (46%) in the other, matching the prevailing light. Single cones expressed SWS1 (89%), which may serve to detect zooplankton, conspecifics and the host anemone. Moreover, a segregated small fraction of single cones coexpressed SWS1 with SWS2B (11%). This novel visual specialisation falls within the region of highest acuity and is suggested to increase the chromatic contrast of Amphiprion akindynos colour patterns, which might improve detection of conspecifics.
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Magic Traits in Magic Fish: Understanding Color Pattern Evolution Using Reef Fish. Trends Genet 2019; 35:265-278. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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