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.
Phylum Dinoflagellata
Burglar Alarm
Plankton
Dinoflagellate
Marine
Red, Blue
Dinoflagellate in large groups create bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico and Jamaica, which are popular tourist destinations. (haddock). Include at least 18 different genera.
Family Lampyridae
Communication, Mate Attraction
Fireflies
Other (known)
Terrestrial
Green, Yellow
Class Scyphozoa
Burglar Alarm
Jellyfish
Coelenterazine
Marine
Multicolored, mostly blue
Class Hydrozoa
Lure Prey
Siphonophores
Coelenterazine
Marine, shallow water
Red, Blue
Most notable species Aequora Victoria.
Class Cephalopoda
Startle, counterillumination, distractive body parts, lure/confuse prey
Squid, Octopi
Bacterial, Celenterazine, Unknown
Marine
Many
Octopoteuthis has a variety of coloration patterns and will leave behind a glowing arm as a decoy to predators. There are 70 luminous genera.
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/