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Data from: Camouflage in motion: Testing for background choice in a stalking predator (lionfish, Pterois miles)

Bottacini, Davide1; Noordman, Carien1; Renaud, Victor1; Skouradakis, Grigorios2; Dailianis, Thanos2; Mastoraki, Maria2; Chatzifotis, Stavros2; Kotrschal, Alexander1

Published Nov 24, 2025 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.tdz08kqbt

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Nov 24, 2025 version files 1.50 MB

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Abstract

Predation is pervasive in the natural world, where predators and prey have evolved spectacular mechanisms to avoid detection and recognition. An example is camouflage through background matching, which allows animals to resemble their background. Animals can move strategically towards backgrounds that match their morphology (background choice) to enhance camouflage. We studied the relevance of background choice in lionfish (Pterois miles), conspicuous stalking predators that could take advantage of background matching by resembling corals and other invertebrates in their surroundings. We offered different background combinations to hunting lionfish, and we found that they indeed account for their background while hunting, although the response did not support the hypothesis of background matching. Lionfish deviated towards a rocky background, which closely resembled the substrate where lionfish were caught (rocky reefs in the Mediterranean Sea). Remaining close to a rocky reef while hunting could offer lionfish easy access to hiding spots and higher prey availability. Future studies should test for the relevance of mimicking inanimate objects and dazzle camouflage, which have been suggested to explain the unique hunting strategy of lionfish. These studies will contribute to topics where empirical evidence is scarce: the benefits of camouflage in predators and camouflage in moving animals.