Mantis Shrimp Redux

[Not]

Like many of you, I’ve been following the mantis shrimp science for some time now. Until recently it was believed the animal’s remarkable eyes gave them hyperspectral vision [25]. More recent work suggests that although they have many more color receptors than human beings (16 to our 3), their brains are unable to combine the information so as to allow them to distinguish different shades of those colors. This is probably quirk-level colorblindness (penalties to Artist, Merchant and Chemist). A current theory suggests that the shrimp’s brains don’t perceive color shades because the information from the eyes is processed in such a way as to prioritize speed over information density. This might be represented as Enhanced Time Sense [45], and pairs well with their remarkable concussion attack (discussed elsewhere on this forum).

Their eyes also perceive light polarization, which must be useful but I don’t know exactly how, much less how to represent in game terms. More work remains to be done.

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Not

Their eyes also perceive light polarization, which must be useful but I don’t know exactly how, much less how to represent in game terms. More work remains to be done.

I think it might be a Perk-level ability mentioned in Enhnaced Senses.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

I think it might be a Perk-level ability mentioned in Enhnaced Senses.

Polarization Detection, p. 26. It's more or less a quirk level of Absolute Direction, dependent on sunlight.

[Rupert]

Seeing polarised light, or being able to filter based on polarisation, can help see through fog and murky water as well. That'd maybe be something like +1 to vision rolls, but only to offset penalties from obscuration by particles.

[Flyndaran]

I think it can also allow one to identify real bodies of water compared to watery mirages in the distance.

[Anthony]

Being able to filter out light by polarization gives you the equivalent of polarized sunglasses, which is pretty useful against surface glare and modestly useful against haze.

[Bruno]

This isn't filtering it out, this is properly seeing it, including whether it's horizontally, vertically, or radially polarized. It's effectively another "spectrum" to them.

It's used as a secret communication channel between mantis shrimps - I don't know if they actually actively change polarization, but I know polarization displays are involved in male territorial disputes. Basically, all the benefits of a bright colorful display, without standing out like a sore thumb.

[RyanW]

I seem to recall that cuttlefish are believed to use the ability to detect polarization to hunt. It makes transparent sea life more visible. If true, mantis shrimp probably get similar benefit.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by Bruno

It's used as a secret communication channel between mantis shrimps.

Are you saying there's a secret cabal of mantis shrimp sending secret encoded signals between them right under the oceans surface? And if not, why not?

[Tinman]

Originally Posted by Anders

Are you saying there's a secret cabal of mantis shrimp sending secret encoded signals between them right under the oceans surface? And if not, why not?

LOL! Thanks, that cheered up my day!