TY - JOUR
T1 - Predatory trumpetfish conceal themselves from their prey by swimming alongside other fish
AU - Matchette, Samuel R.
AU - Drerup, Christian
AU - Davison, Isla Keesje
AU - Simpson, Stephen D.
AU - Radford, Andrew N.
AU - Herbert-Read, James E.
PY - 2023/8
Y1 - 2023/8
N2 - Many animals use camouflage to avoid detection by others, yet even the most inconspicuous objects become detectable against the background when moving1,2. One way to reduce detection while moving would be to ‘hide’ behind the movements of objects or other animals3. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that a common marine predator, the trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus), can conceal its approach from its prey by performing a behaviour known as ‘shadowing’ — swimming closely next to another, larger and non-predatory fish3,4,5. Our findings reveal how predators can actively use another animal as a form of concealment to reduce detection by prey.
AB - Many animals use camouflage to avoid detection by others, yet even the most inconspicuous objects become detectable against the background when moving1,2. One way to reduce detection while moving would be to ‘hide’ behind the movements of objects or other animals3. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that a common marine predator, the trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus), can conceal its approach from its prey by performing a behaviour known as ‘shadowing’ — swimming closely next to another, larger and non-predatory fish3,4,5. Our findings reveal how predators can actively use another animal as a form of concealment to reduce detection by prey.
U2 - 10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.075
DO - 10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.075
M3 - Article
C2 - 37552943
AN - SCOPUS:85167372170
SN - 0960-9822
VL - 33
SP - R801-R802
JO - Current Biology
JF - Current Biology
IS - 15
ER -