The Undersea Stars
The most popular bioluminescent animal is the anglerfish. Female anglerfish use a type of glowing fishing rod to attract prey. Bacteria, which have formed symbiotic relations with the anglerfish, are responsible for the alien light. How, though, is all of the actual light produced? Chemical reactions on the cellular level create light with close to no output heat. By oxidizing luciferin, a group of compounds responsible for radiance, oxyluciferin and light are created. While most of this light is blue and green, which travel better in the ocean, all spectra of colors are emitted from life. The anglerfish uses typical blue-green light to attract prey. Waving the bulb back and forth,
smaller fish slowly move toward the light until the anglerfish snatches them in one bite. While the anglerfish uses its adaptation for meals, others do the opposite.
Many species of squid use bioluminescence as an escape method. By spewing out bioluminescent material when threatened, predators are confused, and the squid can make its escape. Other type of squid use bioluminescence for camouflage. To match the lighted ocean, the creature brightens. This process, known as counter-illumination, is used by the military in aircraft cloaking. Defensive effects are similarly demonstrated on land. Many insect larvae, commonly known as glowworms, flash their vibrant lights to show off toxicity.
© Grant Regen 2010
While beautiful, bioluminescence gives key advantages to life that carries the adaptation. Some of these advantages include communication, attracting prey, frightening predators, camouflage, and attracting mates.