Bioluminescence: Living light in the deep sea
A dive into the deep sea is like a trip to outer space. The descent into darkness reveals twinkling lights. Sunlight cannot penetrate to these depths. Instead, this light show comes from the animals that live here. Scientists call it bioluminescence—when living organisms create their own light using a chemical reaction.
Bioluminescence is relatively rare on land, where fireflies, glow worms, and fungi are the most familiar examples. But MBARI researchers have learned bioluminescence is common among deep-sea animals. About three-quarters of life in the water column can produce bioluminescence. The MBARI team is working to decipher the secret language of light in the ocean’s depths.
MBARI bioluminescence research
Glow your own: Comb jellies make their own glowing compounds instead of getting them from food
December 10, 2020 – At least nine major groups of deep-sea animals, including jellies, corals, brittle stars, squids, and fish, use the same light-emitting chemical, coelenterazine, to power their displays.
Glow-in-the-dark corals light up the deep sea
July 13, 2020 – A new research paper shows that some of the most common and iconic deep-sea corals can create their own light.
Deciphering the visual language of Humboldt squid
March 23, 2020 – Humboldt squid communicate with each other using changing patterns of light and dark pigment in their skin.
Glowing to the bottom
October 17, 2019 – MBARI researchers recently found that animals living on the deep seafloor are much less likely to produce light than those swimming or drifting in the “midwater.”
Flash dance: Identifying marine organisms by their glow
March 6, 2019 – Scientists at MBARI recently found a way to identify several groups of glowing marine organisms by the light they produce.
Bioluminescent organisms lighting up your local post office
Feb 20, 2018 – The United States Postal Service will unveil a new series of forever stamps highlighting the diverse and beautiful world of bioluminescence on February 22nd.
New study shows that three quarters of deep-sea animals make their own light
Apr 10, 2017 - In the first quantitative analysis of deep-sea bioluminescence, MBARI researchers Séverine Martini and Steve Haddock show that three quarters of the animals in Monterey Bay from the surface down to 4,000 meters deep can produce their own light.
The curious eyes of the cockeyed squid
Feb 13, 2017 - New research findings highlight a unique visual adaptation in a deep-sea squid, the cockeyed squid, which has eyes that are grossly different in size and structure.
Amazing "black sea devil" anglerfish observed in Monterey Bay
Nov 19, 2014 – On Monday, November 17, MBARI Senior Scientist Bruce Robison was leading a dive using the remotely operated vehicle Doc Ricketts in Monterey Bay when he came across this amazing deep-sea anglerfish about 580 meters (1,900 feet) below the ocean surface.
Science
- Upper-ocean systems
- Midwater research
- Seafloor processes
- Areas of study
- Past research
