Chameleon Shrimp Can Adapt Camouflage to Invasive Algae
Rafael C. Duarte et al. (2024) investigate how chameleon prawns, Hippolyte varians, adapt to non-native seaweeds through behavioral choice and color change, optimizing their camouflage in altered marine environments.
Key Findings
Chameleon prawns select seaweed substrates that match their coloration, enhancing crypsis against predators.
They change color over time to blend into non-native seaweeds, sometimes faster than on native substrates.
Camouflage effectiveness varies by seaweed species, with better concealment on pink harpoon weed, Asparagopsis armata, but reduced effectiveness on brown wireweed, Sargassum muticum.
Prawns prefer non-native seaweeds when native alternatives do not match their coloration, but show no preference when both options provide adequate camouflage.
Implications
This research highlights how behavioral flexibility and physiological adaptation help species cope with human-driven environmental changes.
It reinforces the importance of habitat similarity in survival strategies, showing that species can adapt to new environments through active selection and physiological adjustments.
Duarte, R. C., Ryan, B., Dias, G. M., & Stevens, M. (2024). Adaptation in the Anthropocene: How behavioural choice and colour change enables chameleon prawns to camouflage on non‐native seaweeds. Journal of Animal Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.14217
Chameleon prawns select seaweed substrates that match their coloration, enhancing crypsis against predators.
They change color over time to blend into non-native seaweeds, sometimes faster than on native substrates.
Camouflage effectiveness varies by seaweed species, with better concealment on pink harpoon weed, Asparagopsis armata, but reduced effectiveness on brown wireweed, Sargassum muticum.
Prawns prefer non-native seaweeds when native alternatives do not match their coloration, but show no preference when both options provide adequate camouflage.
This research highlights how behavioral flexibility and physiological adaptation help species cope with human-driven environmental changes.
It reinforces the importance of habitat similarity in survival strategies, showing that species can adapt to new environments through active selection and physiological adjustments.