Barred sand burrower | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Trachiniformes |
Family: | Creediidae |
Genus: | Limnichthys |
Species: | L. fasciatus
|
Binomial name | |
Limnichthys fasciatus Waite, 1904
|
Limnichthys fasciatus, the barred sand burrower, is a species of sandburrower. It is noted for its highly developed eyes, with a structure similar to the eyes of a chameleon, which has led it to be described as marine chameleon. [2] Its fully grown length measures between 20 millimetres (0.79 in) and 40 millimetres (1.6 in). The species is native to reefs in the Indo-Pacific. The fish preys on plankton prey by surprise attacking it from a hiding in loose sand, [3] with only the eyes protruding from the sand. [4] [5]
A unique property of this species is its vision. The cornea is 1/7th of the thickness of the entire eye, and has a convex shape due to a lens embedded in the cornea. [6] The cornea can focus, which allows the fish to have depth perception without moving its head. The lens itself is flattened. [2] Its eye is also notable for its high density of retinal ganglion cells compared to other species of fish. [5] Because of the rapid and accurate attack on prey, it is assumed the fish has good eyesight.
Barred sand burrower | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Trachiniformes |
Family: | Creediidae |
Genus: | Limnichthys |
Species: | L. fasciatus
|
Binomial name | |
Limnichthys fasciatus Waite, 1904
|
Limnichthys fasciatus, the barred sand burrower, is a species of sandburrower. It is noted for its highly developed eyes, with a structure similar to the eyes of a chameleon, which has led it to be described as marine chameleon. [2] Its fully grown length measures between 20 millimetres (0.79 in) and 40 millimetres (1.6 in). The species is native to reefs in the Indo-Pacific. The fish preys on plankton prey by surprise attacking it from a hiding in loose sand, [3] with only the eyes protruding from the sand. [4] [5]
A unique property of this species is its vision. The cornea is 1/7th of the thickness of the entire eye, and has a convex shape due to a lens embedded in the cornea. [6] The cornea can focus, which allows the fish to have depth perception without moving its head. The lens itself is flattened. [2] Its eye is also notable for its high density of retinal ganglion cells compared to other species of fish. [5] Because of the rapid and accurate attack on prey, it is assumed the fish has good eyesight.