photo

Close-Up of Dover Sole Skin

Dover Sole Skin
(Lawrence Bowler / Nikon Small World)

This close-up of the skin of dover sole (Solea solea) masks its true ability: to provide camouflage. Like other flatfish, dover sole spends most of its time burrowed in the seafloor with both eyes, located on one side of its body, looking up into the water. Its coloring allows it to blend in with the sandy bottom perfectly. This photo, taken at 20x zoom, was an Image of Distinction in the 2009 Nikon Small World photomicrography competition.