Unique genetic adaptation lets deep-sea fish see colour in the darkness

The deep-sea lanternfish (Myctophiformes) is seen in this undated image released in Prague, Czech Republic on May 9, 2019. Zuzana Musilova/Charles University/Handout via REUTERS

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - While people and other vertebrates are colour blind in dim light, some deep-sea fish may possess keen colour vision to thrive in the near total darkness of their extreme environment thanks to a unique genetic adaptation, scientists said on Thursday.

Researchers analysed the genomes of 101 fish species and found that three lineages of deep-sea fish, living up to about a mile (1,500 meters) below the surface, boast a specialised visual system to allow for colour vision in inky blackness.