The Paradise whiptail (Pentapodus paradiseus) has distinct reflective stripes on its head and body. contain a dense layer of physiologically active iridophores, which act as multilayer reflectors. wavelengths reflected by these can change from blue to red in 0.25 s. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the iridophore cells plates are, average, 51.4 nm thick. This thickness produces stack, acts an ideal quarter-wavelength reflector (equal optical spaces) blue, but not red, region...

Abstract Throughout nature, elegant biophotonic structures have evolved into sophisticated arrangements of pigments and structural reflectors that manipulate light in the skin, cuticles, feathers fur animals. Not many spherical are known those described often angle dependent or spectrally tuned. White scattering by flexible skin cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis ) is examined how unique structure composition leucophore cells serve as physiologically passive approximating optical properties a...

Adaptive reflective surfaces have been a challenge for both electronic paper (e-paper) and biological organisms. Multiple colours, contrast, polarization, reflectance, diffusivity texture must all be controlled simultaneously without optical losses in order to fully replicate the appearance of natural vividly communicate information. This review merges frontiers knowledge adaptive coloration, with focus on cephalopods, synthetic e-paper within consistent framework scientific metrics....

Cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish and octopus) are probably best known for their ability to change color pattern camouflage communication. This is made possible by complex skin, which contains pigmented chromatophore organs structural light reflectors (iridophores leucophores). Iridophores create colorful linearly polarized reflective patterns. Equally interesting, the photoreceptors of cephalopod eyes arranged in a way give these animals detect linear polarization incoming light. The capacity...

Cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis , possess neurally controlled, pigmented chromatophore organs that allow rapid changes in skin patterning and coloration response to visual cues. This process of adaptive is enabled by the 500% change surface area during actuation. We report two adaptations help explain how colour intensity maintained a fully expanded when pigment granules are distributed maximally: (i) layers as thin three maintain optical effectiveness (ii) presence high-refractive-index...

Among the changeable camouflage patterns of cuttlefish, disruptive patterning is shown in response to certain features light objects visual background. However, whether animals show dependent not only on object size but also their body size. Here, we tested cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) are able match with increasing background as they grow from hatchling adult (0.7 19.6 cm mantle length; factor 28). Specifically, do have a single ;visual sampling rule' that scales accurately during...

Many cephalopods exhibit remarkable dermal iridescence, a component of their complex, dynamic camouflage and communication. In the species Euprymna scolopes , light-organ iridescence is static due to reflectin protein-based platelets assembled into lamellar thin-film reflectors called iridosomes, contained within iridescent cells iridocytes. Squid in family Loliginidae appear be unique which dermis possesses with reflective, coloured structures that are disassembled under control muscarinic...

SUMMARY The blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata), one of the world's most venomous animals, has long captivated and endangered a large audience: children playing at beach, divers turning over rocks, biologists researching neurotoxins. These small animals spend much their time in hiding, showing effective camouflage patterns. When disturbed, will flash around 60 iridescent blue rings and, when strongly harassed, bite deliver neurotoxin that can kill human. Here, we describe flashing...

Flounder change colour and pattern for camouflage. We used a spectrometer to measure reflectance spectra digital camera capture body patterns of two flounder species camouflaged on four natural backgrounds different spatial scale (sand, small gravel, large gravel rocks). quantified the degree spectral match between background relative situation perfect camouflage in which were assumed have identical distribution. Computations carried out three biologically relevant observers: monochromatic...

Abstract Camouflage is a means to defeat visual detection by predators, whereas communication involves signal that conspicuous receiver (usually conspecific). However, most intraspecific signals are also so signalling can lead the serious consequence of predation. Could an animal achieve camouflage and simultaneously send hidden message conspecific? Here, we present evidence polarized aspect iridescent colour in squid skin maintained after it passes through overlying pigmented...

We report that the skin of cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis , contains opsin transcripts suggesting a possible role distributed light sensing for dynamic camouflage and signalling. The mRNA coding from various body regions was amplified sequenced, gene expression detected in fin ventral samples. amino acid sequence polypeptide these would produce identical retina tissue samples, but differed by single acid. diverse signalling patterns cephalopods are visually controlled, findings suggest...

To achieve effective visual camouflage, prey organisms must combine cryptic coloration with the appropriate posture and behaviour to render them difficult be detected or recognized. Body patterning has been studied in various taxa, yet body postures their implementation on different backgrounds have seldom experimentally. Here, we provide first experimental evidence that cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis ), masters of rapid adaptive use cues from adjacent stimuli control arm postures....

The white stripes of the pyjama squid (Sepioloidea lineolata) contain multilayer reflectors with an unordered plate arrangement, enabling reflectance diffuse light over a range viewing angles. Ultrastructural analysis and mathematical modeling are employed to elucidate functional mechanisms reflectance. This optical system may provide bio-inspired template for low-energy, reflectance-based synthetic displays. As service our authors readers, this journal provides supporting information...

We have developed a mathematical model of skin coloration in cephalopods, class aquatic animals. Cephalopods utilize neurological and physiological control various components to achieve active camouflage communication. Specific physical processes this are identified modeled, utilizing available biological materials data, simulate spectral changes pigment-bearing organs structural iridescent cells. Excellent agreement with vitro measurements squid is obtained. A detailed understanding the...

SUMMARY Cephalopods are known for their ability to change camouflage body patterns in response changes the visual background. Recent research has used artificial substrates such as checkerboards investigate some specific cues that elicit various camouflaged cuttlefish. In this study, we took information from experiments on and assembled a natural rock substrate (fixed with glue) those features thought disruptive coloration The central hypothesis is light rocks of appropriate size, contrast...

Prey camouflage is an evolutionary response to predation pressure. Cephalopods have extensive capabilities and studying them can offer insight into effective design. Here, we examine whether cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, show substrate or pattern preferences. In the first two experiments, cuttlefish were presented with a choice between different artificial substrates natural substrates. First, ability of preference on was established. Next, offered known evoke three main body types these...

SUMMARY Cuttlefish and other cephalopods achieve dynamic background matching with two general classes of body patterns: uniform (or uniformly stippled) patterns mottle patterns. Both pattern types have been described chiefly by the size scale contrast their skin components. Mottle in characterized previously as small-to-moderate-scale light dark patches (i.e. mottles) distributed somewhat evenly across surface. Here we move beyond this commonly accepted qualitative description quantitatively...