Coloration
The Role of Color on the Reef
Introduction
Fish vision
Rods and cones
Different from humans
Broad color spectrum picked up
UV visual sensitivity
communication signals
Fish Coloration
Specific colors and patterns
blue, red, orange, yellow, green, gray, white, black, brown, silver
brightness
bands, stripes, bars, speckles, spots, lines, blotches, eye markings, ocellated spots
The Role of the Environment in Coloration
Depth, temperature, etc
Roles of Colors
Protection Against Predation: warning colors, camouflage
Mate Selection
Life cycle phases
purpose of color as a juvenile vs. adult
specific examples: Queen Angelfish, Schoolmaster, Dusky Damselfish
Polymorphism
Permanent color variations in species (geographical)
Color and marking phases
temporary changes to enhance camouflage, to indicate mood, or for intraspecies communication (courtship)
instantaneous or over a long period of time
Bioluminescence
brief description and purpose
Coral Coloration
The role of the Environment on coloration
Depth, sedimentation, etc
Symbiotic relationship with algae
algae give coral its color
Fluorescent proteins
give color to algae
cyan, green, yellow, red, purple-blue, chromo-red
Coral Bleaching
mainly focus on effects of lack of color