Karplus, I., Div. Biol. Living Resour., Univ. Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA.
Algom, D., Div. Biol. Living Resour., Univ. Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA.

A morphometric analysis of 20 different facial features of reef fishes was carried out in order to assess cues which could serve for predator recognition; 105 different species of 35 different families were included. The main features of potential discriminatory value were head width, head shape, size of the mouth and its shape, shape of eyes, their diameter, and distance between eyes. Color and pattern were of no potential discriminatory value. Two cues, distance between eyes and size of mouth, were sufficient for good predator recognition. Camouflage of piscivorous cues by predatory fish is discussed. Mimicry of piscivorous cues by some prey fishes as an anti-predator strategy is suggested for 2 types of false eye spots simulating the frontal aspect of a piscivore. -from Sport Fishery Abstracts