title: Visual prey detection by near-infrared cues in a fish.
abstract: Many animal species are able to perceive light wavelengths beyond those visible to humans. While numerous species are additionally sensitive to short wavelengths (UV), long wavelengths such as the near-infrared spectrum (NIR) are supposed to be unsuitable for visual perception. Here, we experimentally show that under exclusive NIR illumination, the cichlid fish Pelvicachromis taeniatus displays a clear foraging response towards NIR reflecting prey. Additional control experiments without prey indicate that the observed behavior is not a mere response to the NIR environment. These results give first evidence for NIR visual sensitivity in a functional context and thus challenge the current view about NIR perception.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meuthen
authors.forename: Ingolf P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Rick
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thünken
authors.forename: Sebastian A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Baldauf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D023681:Cichlids / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008297:Male; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology