We know that many land animals emit light, but autosomal luminescence is more common in vast oceans, which is a common phenomenon rather than a special case under dark water. Researchers estimate that 80 to 90 percent of animals living deep in the ocean glow. They produce light by mixing fluorescein with luciferase(the enzyme that causes luminescence).
The fluorescence emitted by marine organisms is generally green or blue, because the light energy of these colors travels far in the sea. Glow helps them attract mating partners, lure prey, or fool predators. Many of these animals live thousands of meters underwater, and it is difficult for scientists to spot them and study them.
1. Clusterwink snail
The Clusterwink snail, which recently appeared in the Royal Society Journal Series B, glows through its shell, making it look even more beautiful and unforgettable.
2. Alarm jellyfish
This jellyfish, which live in the depths of the ocean, is particularly famous for having "alarm devices". When attacked, the jellyfish emits a dazzling light that can be seen even from 300 feet (91.44 meters) away.
Researchers believe the alarm jellyfish did this to attract the attention of larger and more ferocious animals. If a more aggressive animal becomes interested in attacking an animal that calls a jellyfish, it can take the opportunity to escape.
3. Vampire squid (Vampire squid)
The vampire squid is neither a real octopus nor a squid, it has no ink sac (it is useless in the pitch-black waters). When it is frightened, it releases a luminous mucus that quickly slips away when the attacker is startled.
The vampire squid also uses the luminous organs on the underside of its body to blend its silhouette with the sea, making it invisible to predators looking for prey below it.
4. Small hooked wrist squid
This squid has a small luminous organ on the underside of its body, which is used to camouflage itself. It uses this luminous organ to blend itself with the color of the sky, making it invisible to predators looking for prey below it.
5. Tomopteris
Polychaete ringworms, worms that live in the ocean, are one of the few creatures that glow yellow. If disturbed, its foot-like appendages emit light. You can even see its eggs in this photo, which will soon be laid into the water.
6. Tube jellyfish (Colonial jelly)
The jellyfish can grow to about 12 inches (30.48 cm) long, and it uses an inflatable floating object to freely rise and fall in the water. When it wants to descend, it releases a portion of the gas through a small hole in the bottom of the floating object and fills the space where the released gas is produced with secretions secreted by a special gland.
Why tube jellyfish emit light is still a mystery. Scientists think its light will frighten predators, but that's speculation.
7. Deiopea ctenophore
Most ctenophores are hermaphrodites named after a mythical and legendary type of water lily, such as the 2-inch (5.08 cm) Deiopea ctenophore. They release both eggs and sperm, which meet in water and fertilize.
Although ctenophores are autosenched, researchers don't know exactly how this happens. Like tube jellyfish, why ctenophores glow is an unsolved mystery. Scientists think it's a defense, but that's speculation.
8. Red tide
The most common luminous animals are spotted, plant-like girders, which multiply in large numbers and trigger red tides. When they are disturbed or hit by waves, they emit brilliant blue light.
Typesetting Editor: Zhang Qizhao