When Charles Darwin advanced his theory of evolution, he conceded that life may have been “originally breathed by the creator into a few forms or into one”. Earth is packed with life so abundant and varied as to stagger the imagination… but how did it all start? I believe, as a diving instructor working in this field for 18 years, that here in the Red Sea, behind all these amazing creatures and this amazing colour, there is a great creator. During the last eight years I have started to record some of those vivid colours and the wonderful texture of the marine life. For this article I have photographed the marine life and got closer to the subject (super macro). As a diver visiting the Red Sea or working here, sometimes you need to think for a while how all these colours originated: by chance or by God?
So how are colour and pattern used by marine life?
1- As a signal to potential predators that the animal is poisonous or dangerous. An example is the lionfish, with its brilliantly coloured red and white striped pectoral fins that warn other animals that it possesses highly toxic spines.
2- Animals in danger, like the Suez fusilier fish can continually alter the colour pattern of its skin, with the rhythmic waves of different colours pulsing over the surface or flashing like tiny jewels. One kind of pigment cells in the skin are the irdio-cytes, which contain light reflecting crystals, causing varying degrees of iridescence.
3- Mating times: Brilliant colour patterns can be changed to signal mood changes or when combined with swimming patterns may signal to a female that a male is ready to mate.
Here in the Red Sea there are so many marvellous colours and creatures to think about and consider whilst diving.Two big things to think about:
How coral eggs migrate hundreds of miles to flourish in a new area after destruction by crown of thorns infestation, and how fishes migrate hundred of miles to mate in groups. Do these phenomena happen by the sun, the earth’s magnetic field or inspiration from God?
One small thing to think about:
How do corals start to get coloured during their larvae stage migration?
It’s not an easy task for sure, but most scientists agree that it’s caused by an invasion of special algae called Zooxanthellae. We are filled with admiration and wonder.
Tags:
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email this
Hits: 2049
Post Your Event