Luminescent corals and shrimp that emit chemicals capable of giving life to underwater glows are just some of the marine creatures capable of illuminating the seabed with unexpected spectacles
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Bioluminescenza. Luminescent corals and shrimp that emit chemicals capable of giving life to underwater glows these are just some of the marine creatures capable of illuminating the seabed with unexpected spectacles. Some researchers have decided to venture into the depths of the Carribean Sea to go in search of new surprising animal species.
According to the most recent discoveries, marine creatures are 'surpassed', as far as their unexpected powers are concerned, by oceanic species. In the ocean it seems that at least 90% of organisms have the ability to emit luminous glows, compared to only 20% of those who populate the shallower seabed.
"We were surprised by the scarce bioluminescence phenomena we saw in the seabed," he said. Tamara Frank, marine ecologist at Nova Southeastern University and co-author of a recent study on the subject. The phenomena identified in the seabed, more than molluscs and corals, concerned the plankton which, when pushed by underwater currents towards living creatures or obstacles, would emit a blue glow.
In the ocean floor a particular one has been identified by researchers sea anemone, able to be identified in the dark thanks to the glow emitted by it; it would be a unique species in the world. In addition to the power of making themselves recognizable in the dark thanks to bright glows, ocean creatures are endowed with a powerful sight which allows them to distinguish possible predators from their food sources.
The skills of bioluminescenza sea creatures are not a recent study. They have in fact attracted humanity since ancient times. The Greek philosopher Anaximenes realized this phenomenon already 2500 years ago, after having probably sighted some plankton. However, the studies of bioluminescence in the deepest ocean floors are more recent.
As for the recent observations conducted in the Caribbean Sea, only one in five creatures among those considered by the experts turned out to be able to emit luminous flares, a rather low figure compared to what was expected. Significantly higher percentages were found in 2011 by some British researchers in the depths of'Atlantic Ocean, where most of the creatures observed appeared to be linked to bioluminescence phenomena.
Still with regard to ocean creatures, experts have hypothesized that some of them, which it was believed were only equipped with black and white vision, may be able to distinguish the blue or green glows emitted by other creatures, an ability that could prove vital to their survival. They may be able to recognize the plankton compared to a possible predator thanks to the shade of light emitted. At the moment it would only be ahypothesis which will need to be verified further.
Marta Albè
