TY - JOUR
T1 - Vertical body orientation by a snipe eel (Nemichthyidae, Anguilliformes) in the deep mesopelagic zone along the West Mariana Ridge
AU - Miller, Michael J.
AU - Koyama, Sumihiro
AU - Mochioka, Noritaka
AU - Aoyama, Jun
AU - Watanabe, Shun
AU - Tsukamoto, Katsumi
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - A nemichthyid eel apparently of the genus Avocettina was observed and video recorded during the day from a submersible operating above the deep western slope of the West Mariana Ridge at a depth of about 800 m. The eel was oriented vertically, head-upward, with its long-thin body held rigidly straight. It remained motionless for more than 1 min except for small constant oscillations of the tip of the tail. It showed no reaction to the presence of the approaching submersible until contacting it. This body position has been seen in nemichthyid eels previously by submersibles in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. It is postulated to be a prey or predator detection tactic that optimizes the use of the visual or lateral line senses. It may also be an efficient way to maintain a position or to move slowly through the water column without disrupting sensory function.
AB - A nemichthyid eel apparently of the genus Avocettina was observed and video recorded during the day from a submersible operating above the deep western slope of the West Mariana Ridge at a depth of about 800 m. The eel was oriented vertically, head-upward, with its long-thin body held rigidly straight. It remained motionless for more than 1 min except for small constant oscillations of the tip of the tail. It showed no reaction to the presence of the approaching submersible until contacting it. This body position has been seen in nemichthyid eels previously by submersibles in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. It is postulated to be a prey or predator detection tactic that optimizes the use of the visual or lateral line senses. It may also be an efficient way to maintain a position or to move slowly through the water column without disrupting sensory function.
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U2 - 10.1080/10236244.2014.926128
DO - 10.1080/10236244.2014.926128
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84905096197
VL - 47
SP - 265
EP - 272
JO - Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology
JF - Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology
SN - 1023-6244
IS - 4
ER -