What role does the iridescent, dark bluish-black back coloration serve?
Answer
It provides excellent camouflage through countershading in the water column.
The striking color pattern of the white marlin, featuring an iridescent, dark bluish-black or purplish-blue shade on the dorsal side, serves a fundamental ecological purpose known as countershading. When viewed from above against the dark depths, the dark back blends in, and when viewed from below against the lighter surface light, the silvery-white flanks and belly provide concealment, effectively camouflaging the fish within the water column.
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