Bioluminescence, light animal | ||||
Bioluminescence of living organisms | ![]() | Updated June 01, 2013 | ||
Bioluminescence is emission of light by a living organism. This light is not refracted light but light produced. Thousands of animal species emit light, bacteria, fungi, algae, insects, molluscs, crustaceans, and especially the deep-sea fish, who live in the abyss. | Bioluminescence plays various roles: communicate with congeners, mislead or frighten predators, camouflage, etc. | ![]() Image: The lantern fish measuring between 10 and 15 cm long, waving above his head a candle that allows both to attract prey into its mouth gaping, and sexual partners. | ||
![]() Image: Squid emit light by the end of their two front tentacles. Their body is covered with photophores. | ![]() Image: Animal soft shapes and sizes tailored to surprising move quietly. credit: the blue planet 2004 © BBC | ![]() Image: Long, large funds were considered as deserts. credit: the blue planet 2004 © BBC | ||
![]() Image: In the semi-darkness many animals are transparent. The transparency of this amphipod 12 cm is perfect, his head is composed entirely of two huge eyes which enables it to locate its prey. | ![]() Image: This transparent jellyfish is powered by thousands of tiny cilia in this world without obstacle. | ![]() Image: The dim light that reaches into the depths request parts adapted as the huge tubular eyes of the body of the abyss. | ||
![]() Image: The glowworm (Lampyris noctiluca) produces light, in reality it is not a worm but a beetle of the family Lampyridae. Females of Lampyre shine summer nights with their bioluminescence. | ![]() Image: Some species of Gonyaulax are called "lantern of life" of the sea. Bioluminescence is produced in the organism through a chemical reaction. The algae Gonyaulax dinoflagellates are known for this eccentricity. | ![]() Image: The fungus Clitocybe is very toxic, it has a feature rare in fungi, its lamellae are bioluminescent, they emit a beautiful green light in the darkness of the night. |