Light for All Reasons: Versatility in the Behavioral Repertoire of the Flashlight Fish

Morin, James G.; Harrington, Anne; Nealson, Kenneth H.; Krieger, Neil R.; Baldwin, Thomas O.; Hastings, J. Woodland

doi:10.1126/science.190.4209.74

Cited by 105 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…First, Vampyroteuthis has large, highly developed eyes that are acutely sensitive to very dim light [42], and thus they can probably see the larger particles and aggregates as they transit the water column. Second, as many crustaceans are attracted to bioluminescent food sources [43], their presence enriches the aggregates on which they feed [35], thereby enriching the food of the vampire squid.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vampire squid: detritivores in the oxygen minimum zone

Hoving

Robison

2012

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) are considered phylogenetic relics with cephalopod features of both octopods and squids. They lack feeding tentacles, but in addition to their eight arms, they have two retractile filaments, the exact functions of which have puzzled scientists for years. We present the results of investigations on the feeding ecology and behaviour of Vampyroteuthis, which include extensive in situ, deep-sea video recordings from MBARI's remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), laboratory feeding experiments, diet studies and morphological examinations of the retractile filaments, the arm suckers and cirri. Vampire squid were found to feed on detrital matter of various sizes, from small particles to larger marine aggregates. Ingested items included the remains of gelatinous zooplankton, discarded larvacean houses, crustacean remains, diatoms and faecal pellets. Both ROV observations and laboratory experiments led to the conclusion that vampire squid use their retractile filaments for the capture of food, supporting the hypothesis that the filaments are homologous to cephalopod arms. Vampyroteuthis' feeding behaviour is unlike any other cephalopod, and reveals a unique adaptation that allows these animals to spend most of their life at depths where oxygen concentrations are very low, but where predators are few and typical cephalopod food is scarce.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vampire squid: detritivores in the oxygen minimum zone

Hoving

Robison

2012

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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“…The ecological benefit for a fish or squid living in symbiotic We would like to dedicate this paper to the memory of Karol Taylor, who introduced V. harveyi projects to our laboratories. association with luminescent bacteria has been established (Morin et al, 1975 ;Nealson & Hastings, 1979). The host organism can use light emitted by bacteria for attraction of prey, escape from predators or intraspecies communication (Morin et al, 1975 ;Bassler & Silverman, 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…association with luminescent bacteria has been established (Morin et al, 1975 ;Nealson & Hastings, 1979). The host organism can use light emitted by bacteria for attraction of prey, escape from predators or intraspecies communication (Morin et al, 1975 ;Bassler & Silverman, 1995). However, it is not understood what specific benefit free-living or symbiotic bacteria derive from producing light (compare Bassler & Silverman, 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vibrio harveyi bioluminescence plays a role in stimulation of DNA repair We would like to dedicate this paper to the memory of Karol Taylor, who introduced V. harveyi projects to our laboratories.

2000

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Although the genetics and biochemistry of bacterial luminescence have been investigated extensively, the biological role of this phenomenon remains unclear. Here it is shown that luxA, luxB and luxD mutants (unable to emit light) of the marine bacterium Vibrio harveyi are significantly more sensitive to UV irradiation when cultivated in the dark after irradiation than when cultivated under a white fluorescent lamp. This difference was much less pronounced in the wild-type (luminescent) V. harveyi strain. Survival of UVirradiated Escherichia coli wild-type cells depended on subsequent cultivation conditions (in the dark or in the presence of external light). However, after UV irradiation, the percentage of surviving E. coli cells that bear V. harveyi genes responsible for luminescence was significantly higher than that of nonluminescent E. coli, irrespective of the subsequent cultivation conditions. Moreover, it is demonstrated that luminescence of V. harveyi can be stimulated by UV irradiation even in diluted cultures, under conditions when light emission by these bacteria is normally impaired due to quorum sensing regulation. It is proposed that luminescent bacteria have an internal source of light which could be used in DNA repair by a photoreactivation process. Therefore, production of internal light ensuring effective DNA repair seems to be at least one of the biological functions of bacterial luminescence.

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“…Known functions associated with light production encompass attracting mates or prey [5][6][7], detecting prey [8][9][10], counter-shading camouflage [11 -14] and deterring predators [15 -18]. All of these functions are well documented in the phylum Mollusca [19,20], although the literature is dominated by the highly specialized organs, spectacular display and complex behaviour of pelagic cephalopods [21 -25].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioluminescent signals spatially amplified by wavelength-specific diffusion through the shell of a marine snail

Deheyn

Wilson

2010

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Some living organisms produce visible light (bioluminescence) for intra- or interspecific visual communication. Here, we describe a remarkable bioluminescent adaptation in the marine snail Hinea brasiliana . This species produces a luminous display in response to mechanical stimulation caused by encounters with other motile organisms. The light is produced from discrete areas on the snail's body beneath the snail's shell, and must thus overcome this structural barrier to be viewed by an external receiver. The diffusion and transmission efficiency of the shell is greater than a commercial diffuser reference material. Most strikingly, the shell, although opaque and pigmented, selectively diffuses the blue-green wavelength of the species bioluminescence. This diffusion generates a luminous display that is enlarged relative to the original light source. This unusual shell thus allows spatially amplified outward transmission of light communication signals from the snail, while allowing the animal to remain safely inside its hard protective shell.

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Light for All Reasons: Versatility in the Behavioral Repertoire of the Flashlight Fish

Cited by 105 publications

References 19 publications

Vampire squid: detritivores in the oxygen minimum zone

Vampire squid: detritivores in the oxygen minimum zone

Vibrio harveyi bioluminescence plays a role in stimulation of DNA repair We would like to dedicate this paper to the memory of Karol Taylor, who introduced V. harveyi projects to our laboratories.

Bioluminescent signals spatially amplified by wavelength-specific diffusion through the shell of a marine snail

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