MBARI
BBC Earth
Why is most bioluminescence in the ocean?
Smithsonian
David Attenborough
TED talk Edith Widder
https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2016/living-light-chemistry-bioluminescence/ :
- Aposematism (toxic appearance) – to look inedible to potential predators. Example: the fireflies Photinus ignitus and Lucidata atra.
- Defence – to startle predators by emitting a bright flash at close range. Example: sternchasers, a type of myctophid or lanternfish.
- Courtship – to communicate before or during mating. Example: fireflies.
- Lures – to attract prey to the light source. Example: the angler fish.
- Camouflage – to help the animal to blend in with its background. As seen from below, a sea animal will look dark against the brightness of the water surface above, so producing its own light will help it to hide from potential predators. Example: squids such as Abralia verany.
Natural History Museum, UK
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-bioluminescence.html
Podcast
Lagest bioluminescent vertebrate
Edith Widder TEDtalk
