Quick Change Artists
A Dazzling Show
A few species of cuttlefish, including
the Broadclub cuttlefish, Sepia latimanus, and the common
European cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, use their
skin-changing abilities to mesmerize prey. All cuttlefish have in
their skin not just chromatophores containing pigment but also two
kinds of reflective cells, iridophores and leucophores, which
influence color and, even more remarkably, can make the skin appear
luminous. As they hunt, the Broadclub and European cuttlefish seem
to turn on virtual strobe lights in their bodies, and shrimp and
other prey fall victim to the act.