INCREDIBLE! Study suggests triggerfish’s ability to ‘see’ with their skin

A recent study carried out in the United States revealed a notable feature of fish pig. It was discovered that this species has the unique ability to “see” with its own skin.

Research shows that this unusual form of perception allows these reef fish to detect changes in their own coloration.

Triggerfish Ability

Image: iNaturalist/Reproduction

According to biologist Lori Schweikert, who currently works at the University of North Carolina, triggerfish appear to monitor changes in their color.

This is crucial for the survival in an environment where the ability to camouflage oneself with the surroundings is a matter of life and death due to constant threats from predators.

Around three years of age, these fish undergo a transition from female to male and use their ability to change their skin color to attract mates and ward off rivals.

In turn, this ability relies on pigment-filled cells called chromatophores, which are similar to those found in octopuses and chameleons.

Researchers discovered light-sensitive molecules known as opsins in cells located beneath chromatophores. These opsins respond to short, blue wavelengths passing through chromatophores and vary in response to light levels.

Opsins are believed to regulate pigment levels in chromatophores, similar to what occurs in tilapia. Nile. However, the precise mechanism remains to be determined.

This “skin vision” ability allows triggerfish to “photograph” their own skin from the inside out, providing valuable sensory feedback. Unlike relying solely on your eyes to obtain this information, this method is less computationally demanding.

Duke University marine biologist Sönke Johnsen suggests that this study sheds light on an innovative sensory feedback system, demonstrating the triggerfish’s remarkable ability to adapt to its environment through skin perception.