Convict surgeonfish metamorphosing larvae (IMAGE)
Caption
During a process known as ‘metamorphosis’, the fish grows from larvae to juvenile, changing anatomy, behavior and physiology. This transition occurs as the animal changes habitat, adapting and settling into a new environment. The fish here was captured immediately after the animal had settled in its new habitat (a process called recruitment), and you can see it already beginning to develop its black bars.
Thyroid hormones control many aspects of this metamorphosis. In this study, the researchers examined how local habitat differences affected thyroid hormone signaling and ultimately the development of these fish.
Credit
Marc Besson and Camille Gache
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