The BBC has done some incredible
film-making when it comes to wildlife. They have recently filmed a
dazzling phenomena involving bioluminescent crustacean larvae.
Bioluminescence is the ability of an organism to emit light. It is
often found in marine life, but also on land; fireflies are a good
example. In marine life it is often used as a method of being seen in
dark, deep ocean waters. In the BBC video the larvae of a crustacean
called a ostracod is offered as food to the cardinal fish. Once the
fish consumes the ostracod it emits a burst of light, which then
causes the fish to spit it out in a fantastic laser like display.
The theory is that the cardinal fish does not want to be seen by its
predators, therefore when the ostracod emits the light, the fish
wants to get rid of it quickly. The ostracod gets a new lease on
life, and the cardinal fish keeps safe from hungry hunters. Sounds
like a happy ending for all!
Bioluminescence in the ocean is not too
difficult to see yourself if you know what to look for.
Dinoflagellates are bioluminescent plankton that light up when
disturbed. There are some areas where swimming amongst them will
initiate a fascinating light show. One popular location to try this
is the Bioluminescent Bay in Puerto Rico. On ocean beaches from
Oregon to the coast of Maine you can see these dinoflagellates light
up the wet sand just by scraping your hands through it on a dark
night. Another wonder of nature, you just have to be patient, present
and know where to look!
Read more and see the video:
Resources on Bioluminescence:
Encyclopedia entry from National
Geographic Education
TED talk: Edith Widder- "The
weird, wonderful world of bioluminescence"
High School Science Fair Project Idea
on Bioluminescence
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