Ballistic Beloniformes attacking through Snell's Window. Issue 2 (28th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Day, R. D.; Mueller, F.; Carseldine, L.; Meyers‐Cherry, N.; Tibbetts, I. R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of fish biology. Volume 88:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 727
• Page End: 734
• Publication Date: 2015-10-28
• Subjects: aerial -- behaviour -- fish vision -- needlefishes -- predation; Fishes -- Periodicals; Fishes -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 597
• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12799
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1112

Abstract

Abstract : Needlefishes (Beloniformes) were observed employing a range of stalking and attacking behaviours to attack schools of bait fishes ranging from the use of tactics common to predatory fishes to a novel behaviour: the use of leaping, aerial attacks. These aerial attacks are suggested to serve two purposes: to extend the attack range of the needlefishes and to reduce their prey's potential for evasion. Furthermore, a third purpose is hypothesized that the needlefishes are taking advantage of Snell's Window, an optical effect which may mask their approach to their prey.