Living Light

Bioluminescent organisms are more plentiful than you may think. The trait has evolved independently at least 40 times, and here you have a chance to explore this phenomenon. Created by the oxidation of the protein luciferin by a luciferase enzyme, this biological characteristic has many functions and forms. While it does occur in terrestrial animals, most bioluminescent lifeforms are marine organisms. Let’s dive in.


Background info

Meet the Dinoflagellate

Meet the Cephalopod

Meet the Jellyfish

Meet the Firefly

Meet the Siphonophore

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Rank :

Phylum Dinoflagellata

e

Purpose :

Burglar Alarm

Commonly Known As :

Plankton

e

Luciferin Type :

Dinoflagellate

Environment :

Marine

d

Color :

Red, Blue

Notes :

Dinoflagellate in large groups create bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico and Jamaica, which are popular tourist destinations. (haddock). Include at least 18 different genera.

Rank :

Family Lampyridae

e

Purpose :

Communication, Mate Attraction

Commonly Known As :

Fireflies

e

Luciferin Type :

Other (known)

Environment :

Terrestrial

d

Color :

Green, Yellow

Rank :

Class Scyphozoa

e

Purpose :

Burglar Alarm

Commonly Known As :

Jellyfish

e

Luciferin Type :

Coelenterazine

Environment :

Marine

d

Color :

Multicolored, mostly blue

Rank :

Class Hydrozoa

e

Purpose :

Lure Prey

Commonly Known As :

Siphonophores

e

Luciferin Type :

Coelenterazine

Environment :

Marine, shallow water

d

Color :

Red, Blue

Notes :

Most notable species Aequora Victoria.

Rank :

Class Cephalopoda

e

Purpose :

Startle, counterillumination, distractive body parts, lure/confuse prey

Commonly Known As :

Squid, Octopi

e

Luciferin Type :

Bacterial, Celenterazine, Unknown

Environment :

Marine

d

Color :

Many

Notes :

Octopoteuthis has a variety of coloration patterns and will leave behind a glowing arm as a decoy to predators. There are 70 luminous genera.

Meet My Friends

Hover to get to know them

Bacterial

Dinoflagellate

Vargula

Multiple

Coelenterazine

Other

Burglar Alarm

Illuminate Environment

Startle

Deter Settlers

Distractive Body Parts

Attract Prey

Predator Warning

Release Heat

Multiple

Communication

Mate Attraction

Misdirection

Unknown

Green

Red

Yellow

Blue

Multiple

Marine

Terrestrial

Colors
Environment

Let's Party

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Luciferin Type
Purpose

References



Authority, W. T. (n.d.). Glow worms and fireflies. Retrieved December 11, 2017, from http://www.wettropics.gov.au/fireflies


Haddock, Steven H.d., et al. “Bioluminescence in the Sea.” Annual Review of Marine Science, vol. 2, no. 1, 2010, pp. 443–493., doi:10.1146/annurev-marine-120308-081028. http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/pdf/10.1146/annurev-marine-120308-081028


New Glowing Millipede Found; Shows How Bioluminescence Evolved. (2015, May 05). Retrieved December 11, 2017, from https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/05/150504-glowing-millipedes-evolution-insects-animals-california/


Swimming Sea Cucumber: Adaptation. (n.d.). Retrieved December 11, 2017, from http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/f2013/langley_andr/adaptation.htm


UCSB (Ed.). (n.d.). The Bioluminescence Web Page. Retrieved December 11, 2017, from http://biolum.eemb.ucsb.edu/