Luminous Marine Organisms

Haddock, Steven H. D.

doi:10.1002/3527609148.ch2

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 69 publications

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“…Of these bioluminescent organisms, the majority was observed within 200 and 800 m of depth, which includes the disphotic zone of the oceans (Widder, 2010). It is believed that 76% of the organisms of this zone have the ability to emit light (Haddock, 2006;Pieribone and Gruber, 2006;Martini and Haddock, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioluminescence in Polynoid Scale Worms (Annelida: Polynoidae)

et al. 2021

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Bioluminescence is widespread throughout the phylum Annelida and occurs in terrestrial and marine lineages. Among marine taxa, bioluminescence has been documented in eight families and anecdotally reported in six additional families. Although new bioluminescent systems have been recently described in annelids, there are still many other families whose light emission mechanisms have not been sufficiently studied. Some of these include luminescent species belonging to the Polynoidae family, also known as scale worms, whose iterations of dorsal elytra (scales) have the ability to emit intense light when stimulated. Depending on the degree of stimulation, some polynoids can autotomize these luminous elytra and posterior segments, which could potentially give them an advantage in evading attacks by predators. It is believed that Polynoidae bioluminescence is associated with a membrane enzyme known as “polynoidin,” which was isolated during the early 1980s from Malmgrenia lunulata. However, the characterization and properties of this enzyme, as well as the chemical nature of its substrate or additional potential cofactors, have never been fully described and remain largely unknown. As such, this paper seeks to revisit previous research involving bioluminescence studies in Polynoidae, as well as the morphological, phylogenetic and ecological aspects related to this emission of light.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioluminescence in Polynoid Scale Worms (Annelida: Polynoidae)

et al. 2021

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Glowing Worms: Biological, Chemical, and Functional Diversity of Bioluminescent Annelids

Verdes

Gruber

2017

Integrative and Comparative Biology

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Bioluminescence, the ability to produce light by living organisms, has evolved independently in numerous lineages across the tree of life. Luminous forms are found in a wide range of taxonomic groups from bacteria to vertebrates, although the great majority of bioluminescent organisms are marine taxa. Within the phylum Annelida, bioluminescence is widespread, present in at least 98 terrestrial and marine species that represent 45 genera distributed in thirteen lineages of clitellates and polychaetes. The ecological diversity of luminous annelids is unparalleled, with species occupying a great variety of habitats including both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, from coastal waters to the deep-sea, in benthic and pelagic habitats from polar to tropical regions. This great taxonomic and ecological diversity is matched by the wide array of bioluminescent colors-including yellow light, which is very rare among marine taxa-different emission wavelengths even between species of the same genus, and varying patterns, chemical reactions and kinetics. This diversity of bioluminescence colors and patterns suggests that light production in annelids might be involved in a variety of different functions, including defensive mechanisms like sacrificial lures or aposematic signals, and intraspecific communication systems. In this review, we explore the world of luminous annelids, particularly focusing on the current knowledge regarding their taxonomic and ecological diversity and discussing the putative functions and chemistries of their bioluminescent systems.

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Global Diversity and Review of Siphonophorae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

Mapstone

2014

PLoS ONE

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In this review the history of discovery of siphonophores, from the first formal description by Carl Linnaeus in 1785 to the present, is summarized, and species richness together with a summary of world-wide distribution of this pelagic group within the clade Hydrozoa discussed. Siphonophores exhibit three basic body plans which are briefly explained and figured, whilst other atypical body plans are also noted. Currently, 175 valid siphonophore species are recognized in the latest WoRMS world list, including 16 families and 65 genera. Much new information since the last review in 1987 is revealed from the first molecular analysis of the group, enabling identification of some new morphological characters diagnostic for physonect siphonophores. Ten types of nematocysts (stinging cells) are identified in siphonophores, more than in any other cnidarian; these are incorporated into batteries in the side branches of the tentacles in most species (here termed tentilla), and tentilla are reviewed in the last section of this paper. Their discharge mechanisms are explained and also how the tentilla of several physonect siphonophores are modified into lures. Of particular interest is the recent discovery of a previously unknown red fluorescent lure in the tentilla of the deep sea physonect Erenna, the first described example of emission of red light by an invertebrate to attract prey.

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Luminous Marine Organisms

Cited by 4 publications

References 69 publications

Bioluminescence in Polynoid Scale Worms (Annelida: Polynoidae)

Bioluminescence in Polynoid Scale Worms (Annelida: Polynoidae)

Glowing Worms: Biological, Chemical, and Functional Diversity of Bioluminescent Annelids

Global Diversity and Review of Siphonophorae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

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