What is fish bioluminescence?

Research posts. New research shows that bioluminescence—a phenomenon in which organisms generate visible light through a chemical reaction—evolved many more times among marine fishes, and likely throughout the entire tree of life, than previously thought.

How does bioluminescence work?

Bioluminescence occurs through a chemical reaction that produces light energy within an organism’s body. For a reaction to occur, a species must contain luciferin, a molecule that, when it reacts with oxygen, produces light.

Why did bioluminescence evolve?

All bioluminescent organisms have in common that the reaction of a “luciferin” and oxygen is catalyzed by a luciferase to produce light. McElroy and Seliger proposed in 1962 that the bioluminescent reaction evolved to detoxify oxygen, in parallel with photosynthesis.

What is intrinsic bioluminescence?

Intrinsic bioluminescence, in which a fish produces and emits light without the aid of bacterial symbiosis, evolved eight times (Figs ​1 and ​ 2). Of the approximately 1,510 species of known bioluminescent fishes, more than half (~785 species) exhibit intrinsic bioluminescence (Figs ​1 and ​2, S1 Fig).

What are the benefits of bioluminescence?

While the functions of bioluminescence are not known for all animals, typically bioluminescence is used to warn or evade predators), to lure or detect prey, and for communication between members of the same species.

Why is bioluminescence important to humans?

Throughout history, humans have been fascinated by the living light produced by luminescent organisms. Today, the glimmering power of bioluminescence has been harnessed for lifesaving uses in medicine, from lighting up structures inside the brain to illuminating the progression of cancer cells.

Do humans have bioluminescence?

According to a study conducted in 2009 by Japanese researchers, human bioluminescence in visible light exists – it’s just too dim for our weak eyes to pick up on. “The human body literally glimmers,” the team from the Tohoku Institute of Technology wrote in their study published in PLOS One.

Are there different kinds of bioluminescence?

Although bioluminescence may be considered rare as measured by the total number of species, it is extremely diverse in its occurrence. There are many different types of organisms that produce bioluminescence, from microscopic cells to fish and even a few sharks.