Are aliens creating undersea "crop" circles?? Not aliens -- but a species of fish.
These amazing creations are designed to lure females to the centre of the circle (is that really a surprise to anyone!?)... "Females of what species?" you may ask.
Here's the male in action:
That's the male puffer fish hard at work creating his artful "mandala." These “mysterious circles” aren't designed to just make the ocean floor look pretty. Attracted by the grooves and ridges, female puffer fish would find their way along the dark seabed to the male puffer fish where they would mate and lay eggs in the center of the circle. In fact, the scientists observed that the more ridges the circle contained, the more likely it was that the female would mate with the male.
Read more about this fascinating story and see more photos.
PS: this is the same puffer fish ... or fugu... that provides some diners with a slightly toxic experience -- tingly lips if they're lucky... a coma and even rigor mortis if they select the wrong restaurant!!
