Red fluorescence in marine fishes: Functions, mechanisms and consequences for visual communication on reefs

这个项目与海洋鱼类色觉的既定观点相矛盾，试图证明我的预测，即长波长光（“红色”）对珊瑚礁鱼类起着适应作用，也是在太阳红光无法穿透的深度。这种范式的变化受到我们最近在珊瑚鱼中发现的红色荧光的启发，这种荧光将入射的蓝绿光转化为红光，而与深度无关。根据我们最初的观察，这些鱼可以看到红光并将其用于种内或种间信号传递。我们还发现了初步证据，表明荧光色素可能是从微生物来源隔离。这些发现对科学来说是新的，需要沿着两条路线进行迅速和深入的调查：（1）评估海洋鱼类红色荧光的适应功能和演化，包括测试假定的信号接收器的能力（相同或其他物种）感知红色，和（2）详细的组织学，显微镜，对这些色素来源的微生物和分子分析以及鱼类用来调节其荧光强度的机制。我们进行了一系列试点实验，以解决其中许多方面的可行性。

This project contradicts established views on marine fish color vision by attempting to prove my prediction that long-wavelength light (“red”) plays an adaptive role for coral reef fish, also at depths where red light from the sun cannot penetrate. This change of paradigm is inspired by our recent discovery of red fluorescence in reef fishes, which transforms incoming bluegreen light into red light independent of depth. Based on our initial observations, it is plausible that these fish can see red light and use it for intra- or inter-specific signaling. We also found preliminary evidence that the fluorescent pigments are possibly sequestered from microbial sources. These findings are new to science and warrant swift and in-depth investigation along two lines: (1) evaluation of the adaptive function and evolution of red fluorescence in marine fish including tests of the ability of the presumed signal receivers (of the same or other species) to perceive red, and (2) detailed histological, microscopical, microbial and molecular analyses of the sources of these pigments and the mechanisms that fish use to modulate their fluorescence intensity. We have carried out a series of pilot experiments to address the feasibility of many of these aspects.