Latest news with #City University
Sustainability Times
3 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'These Sharks Are Masters of Disguise': Astonished Scientists Uncover Blue Shark's Unique Ability to Change Color in a Breathtaking Breakthrough
IN A NUTSHELL 🦈 Researchers at the City University of Hong Kong discovered that blue sharks can change their skin color. can change their skin color. 🔍 The color-changing ability is linked to unique nanostructures in their skin called dermal denticles. in their skin called dermal denticles. 🌊 Environmental factors like water pressure and humidity also influence the shark's color variations. and humidity also influence the shark's color variations. 🌐 This discovery has implications for marine biology and conservation efforts, offering insights into adaptive strategies. In a remarkable discovery that has intrigued marine biologists and enthusiasts alike, researchers at the City University of Hong Kong have unveiled a fascinating ability of the blue shark: its capacity to change color. This revelation adds a new dimension to our understanding of this already unique species, known for its striking blue hue. The ability to alter its skin color not only highlights the complexity of its anatomy but also raises intriguing questions about the evolutionary advantages this might confer. As we dive deeper into the specifics of this discovery, the role of unique skin structures and environmental factors come to the fore. The Unique Ability of Blue Sharks to Change Color While creatures like chameleons and octopuses are well-known for their color-changing abilities, the blue shark now joins this exclusive club. The research team, led by experts at the City University of Hong Kong, delved into the shark's anatomy and identified a distinctive feature in its skin. Blue sharks owe their name and color to a unique nanostructure in their skin, a rarity in the animal kingdom. The presence of this structure is key to their color-changing ability. Dr. Viktoriia Kamska, a postdoctoral researcher in Professor Mason Dean's lab, emphasizes the evolutionary significance of producing the rare blue color, which has fascinated scientists. However, the groundbreaking aspect of the research lies not in the blue hue itself but in the shark's ability to change it. This discovery sheds light on the adaptive strategies of blue sharks, enabling them to alter their appearance based on environmental cues, thus offering them potential camouflage and other evolutionary benefits. 'Like a Floating Magic Carpet': Newly Discovered Deep-Sea Creature Stuns Scientists With Its Surreal, Otherworldly Movements The Role of Dermal Denticles in Color Variation The nanostructures on the blue shark's skin are known as dermal denticles, small tooth-like scales that play a crucial role in its color-changing ability. These denticles are composed of pulp cavities containing guanine crystals and melanosomes. Guanine is renowned for its ability to reflect blue light like a mirror, while melanosomes absorb other light colors. This unique composition allows for dynamic color shifts. Depending on the spacing between guanine crystal layers, the shark's skin may appear blue, green, or even golden. When the crystals are densely packed, the skin exhibits a dominant blue shade. Conversely, when the crystals are spaced further apart, the skin takes on a greenish hue. This fascinating mechanism illustrates the complex interplay of biological structures in determining the shark's appearance. 'Large Black-Eyed Creature Discovered': Scientists Identify Bizarre New Species Lurking in Papua New Guinea Gold Mine Environmental Factors Influencing Skin Color While the spacing of guanine crystals is the primary determinant of color variation, other environmental factors also play a role. Researchers found that the depth at which the shark swims can cause its color to shift to a darker blue, influenced by the water pressure compressing the guanine crystals. This finding highlights the dynamic interaction between the shark and its environment. Professor Mason Dean explains that even slight changes in humidity or water pressure can subtly alter the shark's skin color. These fine adjustments can affect how the animal camouflages itself in its natural habitat. Such insights into the blue shark's adaptive strategies reveal the complexity of its interactions with the marine environment and underscore the importance of understanding these mechanisms for conservation efforts. 'Lost for 62 Years Then Found Alive': Ultra-Rare Egg-Laying Mammal Resurfaces in Remote Indonesian Rainforest Against All Odds Implications for Marine Biology and Conservation The discovery of the blue shark's color-changing ability has far-reaching implications for marine biology and conservation. Understanding how these sharks adapt to their environment can inform strategies to protect them, especially in the face of changing oceanic conditions due to climate change. The insights gained from this research could also have broader applications in material science and technology, where biomimicry of natural color-changing processes could inspire innovative solutions. This research highlights the intricate link between an organism's anatomy and its environmental interactions. As scientists continue to explore the mysteries of the blue shark, they open new avenues for understanding the complexities of marine life. What other secrets might these enigmatic creatures hold, and how can these discoveries shape our approach to preserving the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (27)
BBC News
4 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Blue sharks can change colour to camouflage say scientists
Blue sharks get their name from being, well, blue! But did you know that's one of the rarest colours in the animal kingdom? Scientists at the City University of Hong Kong looking at what makes this fish this colour found it's down to tiny nanostructures in their skin, which act as blue reflectors. Other structures also absorb other types of light - which help to produce the shark's characteristic colour. But not only that, the sharks' skin can change colour too. The team say a multi-functional design like this "as far as we know, hasn't been seen before". Read on for more. The research shows the secret to the blue shark's colour lies in the tooth-like scales on its guanine crystals act as blue reflectors while another structure, called melanosomes, absorb other wavelengths of colour. Professor Dean from the City University of Hong Kong said: "These components are packed into separate cells, reminiscent of bags filled with mirrors and bags with black absorbers, but kept in close association so they work together."When you combine these materials together, you also create a powerful ability to produce and change colour." The researchers had to look at a shark's fin really closely under lots of powerful microscopes. They used simulations on a computer to recreate and understand the structures under different Dean continued: "Very fine scale alterations resulting from something as simple as humidity or water pressure changes could alter body colour, that then shape how the animal camouflages or counter-shades in its natural environment." The research suggests even something as simple as swimming deeper in the ocean could make the sharks look a deeper colour of blue as the guanine crystals are forced closer together with the increased pressure from the water.
