Facts about Bioluminescent Marine Animals

1. 05

   Some bioluminescent marine animals, such as the crystal jelly (Aequorea victoria), use a photoprotein called aequorin rather than a traditional luciferin-luciferase system to produce light.

   Bioluminescent Marine AnimalsJun 6sharebiologychemistryocean
2. 04

   Anglerfish use a bioluminescent lure called an esca, which is filled with light-producing bacteria, to attract prey in the deep ocean.

   Bioluminescent Marine AnimalsJun 6sharebiologypredationdeep-sea
3. 03

   Firefly squid (Watasenia scintillans) use bioluminescence for counterillumination, matching the ambient light from above to become nearly invisible to predators below.

   Bioluminescent Marine AnimalsJun 6sharebiologypredationcamouflage
4. 02

   Bioluminescence in marine animals is produced through a chemical reaction between a light-emitting molecule called luciferin and an enzyme called luciferase.

   Bioluminescent Marine AnimalsJun 6sharechemistrybiologybiochemistry
5. 01

   The majority of deep-sea marine animals, estimated at over 75 percent of species, are capable of producing bioluminescence.

   Bioluminescent Marine AnimalsJun 6sharebiologyoceanevolution