While a handful of land animals can create their own light, homemade luminescence is the rule rather than the exception in the open ocean's dark waters.
Researchers estimate that between 80%-90% of deep-dwelling animals are bioluminous, creating light by mixing the pigment luciferin with luciferase, the enzyme that makes it glow. The light tends to green and blue, colors that travel far in seawater. Glowing helps attract mates, lure prey or confound predators.
Many of these animals live thousands of meters deep and are difficult for scientists to find and study. Below are some of the prettiest and strangest glowing creatures of the seas.
For more, see the original article here.
Monday, January 24, 2011
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