Marlin andsailfishare some of the ocean ' top vulture and some of thefastest fishon the planet . Marlin have been known to track down in grouping , taking it in turning to stun and then abduct sardines from the eye of a schooltime . Now , using new drone technology , researchers have break a surprising insight into how these Pisces organize their attack without injuring each other , and it ’s all to do with color .
Striped marlin ( Kajikia audax ) have been known to changecolor , but the drone footage unwrap to the team that attacking marlin became much brighter in the chevron along their bodies before they attacked , and then returned to the pre - hunting color after striking .
Marlin possess long , elongated rostrums or snouts that can be used to help stun and watch their fair game , but also can bruise other brute in the tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans . They can measure 4 meters long ( 14 groundwork ) and weigh around 113 - 204 kg ( 250 - 450 pounds),according to NOAA .
“ We documented for the first sentence rapid color change in a group - hunting predatory animal , the striped marlin , as groups of marlin hunted schools of sardines , ” says Alicia Burns of Humboldt University in Berlin , Germany in astatement .
The research worker analyse 12 video clips of marlin huntingPacific sardines(Sardinops sagax ) in this way . Two different marlin were present in each clip to allow the researchers to compare the people of colour between the two .
“ We found that the attacking marlin ' light up up ' and became much vivid than its groupmates as it made its onset before rapidly returning to its ' non - bright ' coloration after its onslaught end , ” continued Burns .
The team think this modification in the light of the stripes acts as a signaling to the non - attacking fish to warn them what is about to take place , thereby deterring them from attacking as well and potentially getting wound . It ’s similar to the way flyspeck medaka Pisces the Fishes alsochange to a darker colorbefore round other Pisces within the same tank .
“ vividness change in piranha is rare , but especially so in group - hunting predators , ” Burns said . “ Although it is love that marlin can change color , this is the first prison term it ’s been linked to hunting or any social behavior . ”
The squad plan to investigate whether the marlin change color when hunting alone , or if they change the brightness of their stripe in any other social context of use . They also be after to see if other fish withcolor - changingabilities use their stripes in the same way .
The subject area is issue inCurrent Biology .
