bioluminescence
Strawberry squid
The strawberry squid has one big eye and one small eye. Together, this improbable pair helps the squid hunt for food in the ocean’s twilight zone.
Deep-sea anglerfish
The anglerfish is one of the most famous deep-sea animals, with a bioluminescent “fishing pole” projecting from its head to lure prey.
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.
Biodiversity and Biooptics 2020 Expedition
January 28 – February 2, 2020 – The Bioluminescence Lab will conduct ROV dives to study the biochemical, physiological, and genetic adaptations that midwater organisms have evolved to survive and diversify in the deep sea.
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.”
Biodiversity and Biooptics 2019 Expedition
July 9-17, 2019 – The Bioluminescence Lab will conduct ROV and scuba dives to study the biochemical, physiological, and genetic adaptations that midwater organisms have evolved to survive and diversify in the deep sea.
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.
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.
About MBARI
Research programs at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) encompass the entire ocean, from the surface waters to the deep seafloor, and from the coastal zone to the open sea. The need to understand the ocean in all its complexity and variability drives MBARI's research and development efforts.