Marine Bioluminescence Spectra Measured With an Optical Multichannel Detection System

Abstract

The emission spectra of 70 bioluminescent marine species were measured with a computer controlled optical multichannel analyzer (OMA). A 350 nm spectral window is simultaneously measured using a linear array of 700 silicon photodiodes, coupled by fiber optics to a microchannel plate image intensifier on which a polychromator generated spectrum is focused. Collection optics include a quartz fiber optic bundle which allows spectra to be measured from single photophores. Since corrections are not required for temporal variations in emissions, it was possible to acquire spectra of transient luminescent events that would be difficult or impossible to record with conventional techniques. Use of this system at sea on freshly trawled material and in the laboratory has permitted acquisition of a large collection of bioluminescence spectra of precision rarely obtained previously with such material. Among unusual spectral features revealed were organisms capable of emitting more than one color, including: Umbellula magniflora and Stachyptilum superbum (Pennatulacea), Parazoanthus lucificum (Zoantharia), and Cleidopus gloria-maris (Pisces). Evidence is presented that the narrow bandwidth of the emission spectrum for Argyropelecus affinis (Pisces) is due to filters in the photophores.

Photosensitivity of the oceanic cope-pods Pleuromamma gracilis and Pleuromamma xiphias and its relationship to light penetration and daytime depth distribution

“…This maximum corresponds well to the wavelengths that are best transmitted through seawater and that therefore dominate the photic environment of the mesopelagic (Jerlov 1976). The photosensitivity of these species also corresponds well to the dominant wavelengths of most marine bioluminescence (Herring 1983, Widder et al 1983, Latz et al 1988). These results support the sensitivity hypothesis (Munz 1958) which states that the spectral position of visual sensitivity is matched to the dominant environmental distribution of spectral irradiance.…”

Improved detection of Ochratoxin A by marine bioluminescent bacteria V. harveyi BA

“…The λ max for P. phosphoreum was 478 nm. Most marine luminescence has maximal emission between 440 and 505 nm (Nicol et al 1958;Widder et al 1983;Latz et al 1988). Bioluminescence plays important roles in the sea, because it has evolved in nearly every group of marine organisms (Harvey 1952 controlling luminescence are also suggestive of its importance.…”

A multi-platform bathyphotometer for fine-scale, coastal bioluminescence research

“…The first flash of a quiescent P. fusiformis is approximately 5 times brighter than any immediate subsequent flashes and can last up to 210 ms. Subsequent flashes, which are dependent on excitation intensity and frequency, can last, in the aggregate, up to 650 ms (Widder and Case 1981). The BL emission of P. fusiformis is brighter (~10 ) and lasts longer (50 s) than the flash pattern of L. polyedrum (~10 9 photons s -1 cell -1 and 10 s flash duration) (Fig.…”

“…This is a difficult measurement to optimize because in many organisms the pools of luminescent substrates may be exhaustible with differing time constants. Thus TMSL is affected by the species-specific response to both intensity and frequency of excitation (Bowlby and Case 1991;McDougall 2002;Widder et al 1983). This poses an inevitable technical problem in all flow-through BP designs because they can only measure instantaneously excited luminescence.…”

“…Although the sources and occurrence of oceanic bioluminescence (BL) have been extensively studied, poorly characterized instruments have often been involved, raising questions regarding radiometric and excitational inter-calibration. While there is currently only one commercially available bathyphotometer, the Glowtracka TM (Chelsea Instruments, evolved from Aiken and Kelly 1984), there exists a wide variety of custombuilt bathyphotometers (BPs) that were designed for specific purposes and have been fabricated in small numbers (Table 1) (See also Batchelder and Swift 1989;Batchelder et al 1990;Batchelder et al 1992;Case et al 1993;Gitel'zon et al 2000;Greene et al 1992;Lapota et al 1988Lapota et al , 1989Lapota et al , 1992Lapota 1998;Lieberman et al 1987;Losee et al 1989;Rudyakov 1968, Swift et al 1983Widder et al 1992). Because these instruments employ varied excitation, measurement, and calibration protocols, standardization among them is not readily attainable and some of them no longer exist.…”