A test of the species confidence hypothesis in dusky damselfish.

Visual cues are important in both interspecific and intraspecific communication. The species confidence hypothesis proposes that animals are more attracted to conspecific colors and repelled by colors, not on their bodies. Studies on terrestrial lizards and birds have tested the species confidence hypothesis and shown that conspecific colors elicit reduced antipredator behavior. To date, the species confidence hypothesis has not been tested in the marine environment, specifically on coral reefs where color communication is of vital importance. We addressed this knowledge gap by measuring flight initiation distance (the distance an individual moves away from an approaching threat) in dusky damselfish (

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© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Editorial Office, Current Zoology.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.