The Cambridge natural history, Vol. 07 (of 10)Boulenger, George Albert
Science
The Cambridge natural history, Vol. 07 (of 10)
Boulenger, George Albert
Animals
It is by no means improbable that examples of "warning" coloration occur
amongst Fishes. The brilliant colours of some of the Trigger-Fishes
(_Balistes_, _Monacanthus_), Coffer-Fishes (_Ostracion_), and Globe-Fishes
(_Tetrodon_) are perhaps of this nature. They are often associated with the
presence of strong spines, defensive and often erectile, either in
connexion with the dorsal fin or on the general surface of the body, and
may therefore serve the purpose of a danger signal to such predatory foes
of these Fishes as might otherwise be tempted to attack them—to the mutual
advantage of the Fishes themselves and their would-be enemies. The British
Weever-Fish (_Trachinus_) may perhaps offer another example of warning
coloration.[147] The Fish is armed with poisonous spines on its opercula,
and, in addition, has a conspicuous black dorsal fin. When the body of the
Fish is buried in the sand, only its projecting dorsal fin remains to
indicate its whereabouts to predatory Gurnards, which might otherwise
mistake the Weever for harmless Fishes of similar size and habits. The
existence of "recognition" colours or markings peculiar to the species, to
enable individuals of the same species to recognise one another and to keep
together in shoals, has not yet been proved. It is probable that the
relatively {175}limited range of vision, even in the clearest water, would
render coloration unsuitable for this purpose. Recognition sounds are
likely to be far more effective, and there is evidence of their production
by a special vocal mechanism in many Fishes.[148]
The examples given above show how natural selection may lead to the
evolution of distinctive forms of coloration which are advantageous to the
Fish either for concealment, aggression, or protection, and in conclusion
it may be pointed out that by the same cause colour may be eliminated or
its development checked if in any way harmful to the animal; and further,
that if a particular coloration becomes useless to the Fish by reason of a
change in its habits or environment, natural selection ceasing to act where
its intervention is no longer necessary to maintain the coloration, the
latter will sooner or later tend to disappear.
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