There's a weird fish in Washington with a huge hole in its head. Scientists think they've figured out why
BBC Wildlife Magazine • • general
Key Points:
- The rockhead poacher fish has a distinctive bowl-shaped depression in its head, which researchers at Louisiana State University believe functions as a percussion instrument to produce buzzing sounds for communication.
- Using microCT scans, scientists discovered tiny spines inside the head cavity that likely act as water motion sensors, and large ribs that vibrate against the bowl to generate sound, helping the fish communicate in noisy tidal environments.
- The fish's unique adaptation addresses the challenge of being a small species in a loud, shallow intertidal zone where sound localization is difficult, allowing it to effectively send signals despite environmental noise.
- Researchers continue to investigate the rockhead poacher's biology, including experiments to understand the role of water in the head cavity, which could inform underwater
