Bioluminescence in Marine Life

Forms of Communication

• Communication occurs in various ways, including visual, chemical, auditory, tactile, and electrocommunication.

Visual Communication

• Visual communication involves transmitting information through visual means.

• Visual signals can be expressed through movement, posture/body shape, facial expressions, color, and displays, and light.

• Visual signals are frequently used by species active during the day.

Movement

• Worker bees communicate food location primarily through a dance language.
• Two main dance types exist: round dance and waggle dance.

Round Dance

• Utilized when a nectar source is within approximately 100 meters.
• Does not specify the direction of the food source.
• Bees move in circles, sometimes reversing direction.
• After the dance, they communicate food location to other bees.
• Essentially conveys: "Food is nearby—go find it".

Waggle Dance

• Used when a nectar source is more than 100 meters away.
• Communicates both distance and direction.
• Bees perform a figure-eight pattern.
• The angle of the waggle relative to vertical indicates direction.

Postures

• Some mammals use head, ear, and tail position to communicate.

Facial Expressions

• Facial expressions convey various signals among mammals.

Colors and Displays

• Colors, particularly during mating seasons, are used in communication.
• The male goldfinch has a bright yellow body during mating season.
• Displays are behaviours visible to other animals.
  • An example includes male fiddler crabs waving their large claws to attract females.
• Males birds of paradise exhibit visual displays during courtship.

Light (Bioluminescence)

• Some animals communicate through light, primarily at night.

• Bioluminescence is light created by a chemical reaction within a living organism.

• It's a form of chemiluminescence.

• Bioluminescence is a "cold light."

• Bioluminescence is prevalent in marine environments. (ocean, coastal areas).

• Common bioluminescent species: fish, bacteria, comb jellyfish.

• Bioluminescence is also found in terrestrial organisms such as fireflies and fungi.

• Bioluminescent organisms are exceptionally rare in freshwater habitats

Bioluminescent Light

• Bioluminescence light appearance varies greatly.

• Most marine bioluminescence is blue-green (more easily seen in the deep ocean).

• Marine creatures mostly respond to blue-green light.

• They do not process yellow, red, or violet.

• Many land-based organisms also exhibit blue-green bioluminescence, but some also emit yellow light (fireflies).

• Comb jellies sometimes produce a rainbow effect by moving their comb-like structures.

• Some organisms that glow in one color emit light in several colors (e.g., the body of the Railroad worm glows green while its head glows red.)

• Some creatures produce light constantly, while others flash for short periods (less than a second to about 10 seconds).

Chemistry Behind Bioluminescence

• Luciferin, a light-emitting chemical, is needed for bioluminescence.
• Luciferin combines with luciferase.
• Oxygen reaction is also necessary
• Released energy is in the form of light.

Luciferin

• Some bioluminescent creatures produce their own luciferin.

• Dinoflagellates create a bluish-green glow.

• Bioluminescent dinoflagellates can cause the ocean's surface to sparkle at night.

• Sometimes, organisms absorb luciferin from food or symbiotic relationships.

• Some fish (like midshipman fish) obtain luciferin from the seed shrimp that they eat.

• Midshipman fish have thousands of photophore organs emitting a green fluorescent glow.

• Bioluminescence in midshipman fish is limited to courtship.

• Many individuals of one species may not express bioluminescence (e.g., the southern population of some fish glows, but the northern population does not).

• Some substances (such as luciferin from ostracod crustaceans) can induce bioluminescence when applied to non-bioluminescent fish in controlled experiments.

Symbiotic Relationships

• Some marine creatures, like squid, have symbiotic relationships with bioluminescent bacteria (e.g., Photobacterium).
• The host (e.g., squid) provides nutrition & protection.
• In return, the bacteria provide the light.
• Light is used for camouflage or attracting mates or prey.

Uses of Bioluminescence (Defensive Adaptations)

• Bioluminescence is often used for defense, hunting, and attracting mates.
• The Vampire squid releases a cloud of bioluminescent mucus; which allows them to escape predators.
• Counterillumination (a type of camouflage) is used by some marine life (like hatchetfish) against predators that hunt below.
• They match the light coming from above.
• Some animals, such as brittle stars, detach body parts to distract predators.
• When threatened, sea cucumbers can detach their luminescent parts onto nearby fish.
• In some cases, firefly larvae use bioluminescence as a warning or defense mechanism to avoid predators.

Uses of Bioluminescence (Offensive Adaptations)

• Bioluminescence can be used to attract prey.
• The anglerfish lures prey with bioluminescence.
• Some fish (like loosejaw dragonfish), use bioluminescence for hunting their prey .
• They have two sets of light producing organs: one that produces blue-green light and one that produces red light.
• Red light is mostly invisible to most deep sea creatures, allowing them to surprise their prey.
• Bioluminescence is used by certain deep-sea creatures to find prey or attract mates.

Firefly Attraction

• Adult fireflies are bioluminescent.
• They use bioluminescence to attract mates.
• They are commonly known as fireflies, glowworms, or lightning bugs

Lantern

• Fireflies control their light through oxygen addition,

• When oxygen is available, the firefly lantern lights up.

• When oxygen is unavailable, the lantern goes out.

• The light production process occurs within specialized cells next to the tracheoles of the lantern, which are the oxygen-transport tubes.

• Nitric oxide regulates the lantern's light.

• Nitric oxide can be used to turn light on or off.

• When the chemical is present, oxygen moves into peroxisomes, which initiate the light production.

• When the chemical disappears, oxygen in the cells is trapped within the mitochondria.

Firefly Signaling

• Both firefly males and females use bioluminescence for signaling.
• Females use light to attract males.
• Females also use pheromones to attract males when they are nearby.

This quiz explores the fascinating adaptations and functions of bioluminescence in marine organisms. It covers various species, including hatchetfish and anglerfish, and their unique methods of light production and predator deterrence. Test your knowledge about the science behind these glowing creatures!