Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T02:31:49.916Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Observations on luminescence in pelagic animals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

J. A. C. Nicol
J. A. C. Nicol
Affiliation:
The Plymouth Laboratory
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Luminescence is very common among marine animals, and many species possess highly developed photophores or light-emitting organs. It is probable, therefore, that luminescence plays an important part in the economy of their lives. A few determinations of the spectral composition and intensity of light emitted by marine animals are available (Coblentz & Hughes, 1926; Eymers & van Schouwenburg, 1937; Clarke & Backus, 1956; Kampa & Boden, 1957; Nicol, 1957b, c, 1958a, b). More data of this kind are desirable in order to estimate the visual efficiency of luminescence, distances at which luminescence can be perceived, the contribution it makes to general back-ground illumination, etc. With such information it should be possible to discuss more profitably such biological problems as the role of luminescence in intraspecific signalling, sex recognition, swarming, and attraction or repulsion between species. As a contribution to this field I have measured the intensities of light emitted by some pelagic species of animals.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 37 , Issue 3 , October 1958 , pp. 705 - 752
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1958

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alcock, A., 1902. A Naturalist in Indian Seas. London: John Murray.Google Scholar
Balss, H., 1925. Macrura der deutschen Tiefsee-Expedition. 2. Natantia, Teil A. Wiss. Ergebn. ‘Valdivia’, Bd. 20, pp. 217–315.Google Scholar
Beebe, W., 1933. Deep-sea fishes of the Bermuda Oceanographic Expeditions. Family Alepocephalidae. Zoologica, N.Y., Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 13–93.Google Scholar
Beebe, W., 1935. Half Mile Down. London: John Lane.Google Scholar
Beebe, W. & Crane, J., 1939. Deep-sea fishes of the Bermuda Oceanographic Expeditions. Family Melanostomiatidae. Zoologica, N. Y., Vol. 24, pp. 65–238.Google Scholar
Bennett, F. D., 1840. Narrative of a Whaling Voyage Round the Globe from the year 1833 to 1836. 2 vols. London: Richard Bentley.Google Scholar
Berrill, N. J., 1950a. The Tunicata: with an account of the British species. London: Ray Society.Google Scholar
Berrill, N. J., 1950b. Budding in Pyrosoma. J. Morph., Vol. 87, pp. 537–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bigelow, H. B., 1912. The ctenophores. Bull. Mus. comp. Zool. Harv., Vol. 54, pp. 369–404.Google Scholar
Bigelow, H. B. & Sears, M., 1937. Siphonophorae. Rep. Danish oceanogr. Exped. Medit., Vol. 2, Biology, No. 11, H. 2, 144 pp.Google Scholar
Brandt, K., 1885. Die Koloniebildenden Radiolarien (Sphaerozoëen) des Golfes von Neapel und der angrenzenden Meeresabschnitte. Fauna Flora Neapel, Monogr. 13, pp. 136–39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brauer, A., 1906. Die Tiefsee-Fische. I. Systemischer Teil. Wiss. Ergebn. ‘Valdivia’, Bd. 15, Lief. 1, 432 pp.Google Scholar
Brauer, A., 1908. Die Tiefsee-Fische. II. Anatomischer Teil. Wiss. Ergebn. ‘Valdivia’, Bd. 15, Lief. 2, 266 pp.Google Scholar
Brien, P., 1948. Embranchement des Tuniciers. In Traité de Zoologie, ed. P.-P. Grassé. T. 11, p. 757.Google Scholar
Buchner, P., 1914. Sind die Leuchtorgane Pilzorgane? Zool. Anz., Bd. 45, pp. 17–21.Google Scholar
Buchner, P., 1953. Endosymbiose der Tiere mit pflanzlichen Mikroorganismen. Basel/Stuttgart: Verlag Birkhauser.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Burghause, F., 1914. Kreislauf und Herzschlag bei Pyrosoma giganteum nebst Bemerkungen zum Leuchtvermögen. Z. wiss. Zool., Bd. 108, pp. 430–97.Google Scholar
Caullery, M., 1952. Parasitism and Symbiosis. Trans. Lysaght, A. M.. London: Sidgwick and Jackson.Google Scholar
Chace, F. A. Jr, 1940. Plankton of the Bermuda Oceanographic Expeditions. IX. The bathypelagic Caridean Crustacea. Zoologica, N.Y., Vol. 25, pp. 117–209.Google Scholar
Chang, J. J., 1954. Analysis of the luminescent response of the ctenophore, Mnemiopsis leidyi, to stimulation. J. cell. comp. Physiol., Vol. 44, pp. 365–94.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chun, C., 1880. Die Ctenophoren des Golfes von Neapel und der angrenzenden Meeresabschnitte. Fauna Flora Neapel, Monogr. 1, 313 pp.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clarke, G.L., 1936. Light penetration in the western North Atlantic and its application to biological problems. Rapp. Cons. Explor. Mer, Vol. 101, pt. 2, No. 3, 14 pp.Google Scholar
Clarke, G. L. & Backus, R. H., 1956. Measurements of light penetration in relation to vertical migration and records of luminescence of deep-sea animals. Deep-Sea Res., Vol. 4, pp. 1–14.Google Scholar
Clarke, G. L. & James, H. R., 1939. Laboratory analysis of the selective absorption of light by sea water. J. opt. Soc. Amer., Vol. 29, pp. 43–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coblentz, W. W. & Hughes, C. W., 1926. Spectral energy distribution of the light emitted by plants and animals. Sci. Pap. U.S. Bur. Stand., Vol. 21, pp. 521–34 (no. 538).Google Scholar
Coonfield, B. R., 1936. Apical dominance and polarity in Mnemiopsis leidyi, Agassiz. Biol. Bull., Woods Hole, Vol. 70, pp. 460–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dahlgren, U., 1916. The production of light by animals. J. Franklin Inst., Vol. 181, pp. 805–43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davenport, D. & Nicol, J. A. C, 1955. Luminescence in Hydromedusae. Proc.roy. Soc, B, Vol. 144, pp. 399–411.Google Scholar
Deanin, G. G. & Steggerda, F. R., 1948. Use of the spectrophotometer for measuring melanin dispersion in the frog. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol., N. Y., Vol. 67, pp. 101–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dennell, R., 1940. On the structure of the photophores of some Decapod Crustacea. ‘Discovery’ Rep., Vol. 20, pp. 307–82.Google Scholar
Dennell, R., 1955. Observations on the luminescence of bathypelagic Crustacea Decapoda of the Bermuda area. J. Linn. Soc. (Zool.), Vol. 42, pp. 393–406.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dubois, R., 1914. La Vie et la Lumière. Paris: Felix Alcan.Google Scholar
Edwards, E. A. & Duntley, S. Q., 1939. The pigments and color of living human skin. Amer. J. Anat., Vol. 65, pp. 1–33.Google Scholar
Emery, C., 1884. Intorno alle macchie splendenti della pelle nei pesci del genere Scopelus. Mitt. zool. Sta. Neapel, Bd. 5, pp. 471–82.Google Scholar
Eymers, J. G. & Van Schouwenburg, K. L., 1937. On the luminescence of bacteria. III. Further quantitative data regarding spectra connected with bioluminescence. Enzymologia, Vol. 3, pp. 235–41.Google Scholar
Fraser-Brunner, A., 1949. A classification of the fishes of the family Myctophidae. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond., Vol. 118, pp. 1019–1106.Google Scholar
Goodwin, T. W., 1952. The Comparative Biochemistry of the Carotenoids. London: Chapman and Hall.Google Scholar
Gortner, R. A., 1911. Studies on melanin. I. Methods of isolation. The effect of alkali on melanin. J. biol. Chem., Vol. 8, pp. 341–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Grundfest, H., 1932. The sensibility of the sun-fish, Lepomis, to monochromatic radiation of low intensities. J. gen. Physiol., Vol. 15, pp. 307–28.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Haecker, V., 1908. Tiefsee-Radiolarien. Wiss. Ergebn. ‘Valdivia’, Bd. 14, Lief. 1, pp. 111–13.Google Scholar
Harvey, E. N., 1922. The production of light by the fishes Photoblepharon and Anomalops. Pap. Tortugas Lab., Vol. 8, pp. 43–60.Google Scholar
Harvey, E. N., 1952. Bioluminescence. New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Harvey, E. N., 1955. Survey of luminous organisms. In The Luminescence of Biological Systems, ed. Johnson, F. H., pp. 1–24. Wash., D.C.: Amer. Ass. Adv. Sci.Google Scholar
Hastings, J. W. & Sweeney, B. M., 1957. The luminescent reaction in extracts of the marine dinoflagellate, Gonyaulax polyedra. J. cell. comp. Physiol., Vol. 49, pp. 209–15.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hickling, C. F., 1926. A new type of luminescence in fishes. II. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 14, pp. 495–507.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huxley, T. H., 1851. Observations upon the anatomy and physiology of Salpa and Pyrosoma. Phil. Trans., year 1851, pt. 2, pp. 567–93.Google Scholar
Ihle, J. E. W., 1910. Die Thaliaceen (einschliesslich Pyrosomen) der Siboga-Expedition. Siboga Exped., Monogr. 56, d, 55 pp.Google Scholar
Jerlov, N. G., 1951. Optical studies of ocean waters. Rep. Swedish deep-sea Exped. Vol. 3, Physics and Chem., Fasc. 1, 59 pp.Google Scholar
Julin, C., 1912. Recherches sur le développement embryonnaire de Pyrosoma giganteum Les. I. Aperçu général de l'embryogènese. Les cellules du testa et le développement des organes lumineux. Zool. Jb., Suppl. 15, Bd. 2, pp. 775–863.Google Scholar
Julin, C., 1913. The specific histological characters of the ‘luminous cells’ of Pyrosoma giganteum and of Cyclosalpa pinnata. Rep. Brit. Ass., 1912, pp. 492–3.Google Scholar
Kampa, E. M. & Boden, B. P., 1957. Light generation in a sonic-scattering layer. Deep-Sea Res., Vol. 4, pp. 73–92.Google Scholar
Karrer, P. & Jucker, E., 1948. Carotenoide. Basel: Verlag Birkhäuser.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kemp, S., 1910. The Decapoda Natantia of the coasts of Ireland. Sci.Invest. Fish. Br. Ire., Year 1908, No. 1, 190 pp.Google Scholar
Kemp, S., 1939. On Acanthephyra purpurea and its allies. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist., Ser. 11, Vol. 4, pp. 568–79.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kramp, P. L., 1947. Medusae: Part III. Trachylina and Scyphozoa, with zoogeo-graphical remarks on all the medusae of the Northern Atlantic. Dan. Ingolf-Exped., Vol. 5, No. 14, 66 pp.Google Scholar
Kramp, P. L., 1957. Hydromedusae from the Discovery Collections. ‘Discovery’ Rep., Vol. 29, pp. 1–128.Google Scholar
Krefft, G., 1953. Ichthyologische Mitteilungen aus dem Institut für Seefischerei der Bundesforschungsanstalt für Fischerei. II. 3. Eine neue Searsia-Ait (Isopondyli, Searsidae) aus isländischen Gewässern. Zool. Anz., Bd. 151, pp. 259–66.Google Scholar
Krumbach, T., 1927. Ctenophora. Tierw. N.-u. Ostsee, Teil 3, f, pp. 1–50 (Leif. 7).Google Scholar
Lea, A. J., 1945. A neutral solvent for melanin. Nature, Lond., Vol. 156, p. 478.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leloup, E., 1955. Siphonophores. Rep. Sars N. Atl. Deep-Sea Exped., Vol. 5, No. 11, 24 pp.Google Scholar
Marshall, N. B., 1954. Aspects of Deep Sea Biology. London: Hutchinson's.Google Scholar
Maul, G. E., 1948. Monografia dos Peixes do Museu Municipal do Funchal Ordem Isospondyli. Bol. Mus. Funchal, No. 3, Art. 5, pp. 1–41.Google Scholar
Mayer, A. G., 1912. Ctenophores of the Atlantic Coast of North America. Publ. Carneg. Inst., No. 162, 58 pp.Google Scholar
Metcalf, M. M. & Hopkins, H. S., 1919. Pyrosoma.—A taxonomic study based upon the collections of the United States Bureau of Fisheries and the United States National Museum. Bull. U.S. nat. Mus., Vol. 2, pp. 195–275.Google Scholar
Moore, A. R., 1924. Luminescence in Mnemiopsis. J. gen. Physioh, Vol. 6, pp. 403–12.Google Scholar
Mortensen, T., 1912. Ctenophora. Dan. Ingolf-Exped., Vol. 5, pt. 2, 95 pp.Google Scholar
Moseley, H. N., 1892. Notes by a Naturalist. An Account of Observations Made During the Voyage of H.M.S. ‘Challenger’. London: John Murray.Google Scholar
Murray, , John, Sir & Hjort, J., 1912. The Depths of the Ocean. London: Macmillan.Google Scholar
Neumann, G., 1934. Tunicata. Thaliaceae. Handb. Zool., Berl, Bd. 5, pt. 2, pp. 226–33.Google Scholar
Nichols, E. L., 1924. The brightness of marine luminescence. Science, Vol. 60, pp. 592–93.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nicol, J. A. C., 1955a. Physiological control of luminescence in animals. In The Luminescence of Biological Systems, ed. Johnson, F. H., pp. 299–321. Wash., D.C.: Amer. Ass. Adv. Sci.Google Scholar
Nicol, J. A. C., 1955b. Nervous regulation of luminescence in the sea pansy Renilla köllikeri.J. exp. Biol., Vol. 32, pp. 619–35.Google Scholar
Nicol, J. A. C., 1957a. Luminescence in polynoids. II. Different modes of response in the elytra. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 36, pp. 261–69.Google Scholar
Nicol, J. A. C., 1957b. Spectral composition of the light of polynoid worms. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 36, pp. 529–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nicol, J. A. C., 1957c. Spectral composition of the light of Chaetopterus. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 36, pp. 629–42.Google Scholar
Nicol, J. A. C., 1958a. Luminescence in polynoids. IV. Measurements of light intensity. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 37, pp. 33–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nicol, J. A. C., 1958b. Spectral composition of the light of Pholas dactylus L. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 37, pp. 43–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Norman, J. R., 1930. Oceanic fishes and flatfishes collected in 1925–1927. ‘Discovery’ Rep., Vol. 2, pp. 261–370.Google Scholar
Ohshima, H., 1911. Some observations on the luminous organs of fishes. J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, Vol. 27, Art. 15, 25 pp.Google Scholar
Okada, Y. K., 1926. On the photogenic organ of the knight-fish (Monocentris japonicus (Houttuyn)). Biol. Bull., Woods Hole, Vol. 50, pp. 365–73.Google Scholar
Panceri, P., 1872. Études sur la phosphorescence des animaux marins. Ann. Sci. nat. (Zool), T. 16, Ser. 5, Art. 8, 67 pp.Google Scholar
Panceri, P., 1873. The luminous organs and light of Pyrosoma. Quart. J. micr. Sci., Vol. 13, N.S., pp. 45–51.Google Scholar
Pantin, C. F. A., 1952. The elementary nervous system. Proc. roy. Soc, B, Vol. 140, pp. 147–68.Google ScholarPubMed
Parr, A. E., 1937. Concluding report on fishes. Bull. Bingham oceauogr. Coll., Vol. 3, Art. 7, 68 pp.Google Scholar
Parr, A. E., 1951. Preliminary revision of the Alepocephalidae, with the introduction of a new family, Searsidae. Amer. Mus. Novit., No. 1531, 21 pp.Google Scholar
Peron, F., 1804. Mémoire sur le nouveau genre Pyrosoma. Ann. Mus. Hist. nat. Paris, T. 4, p. 437.Google Scholar
Pierantoni, U., 1921. Gli organi luminosi simbiotici ed il loro ciclo ereditario in Pyrosoma giganteum. Pubbl. Staz. zool. Napoli, Vol. 3, pp. 191–222.Google Scholar
Pirenne, M. H., 1956. Physiological mechanisms of vision and the quantum nature of light. Biol. Rev., Vol. 31, pp. 194–241.Google Scholar
Pirenne, M. H. & Marriott, F. H. C, 1955. Light sensitivity of the aquatic flat-worm Dendrocoelum lacteum. Nature, Lond., Vol. 175, p. 642.Google Scholar
Polimanti, O., 1911. Über das Leuchten von Pyrosoma elegans Les. Z. Biol., Bd. 55, pp. 505–29.Google Scholar
Russell, F. S., 1953. The Medusae of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Russell, F. S., 1958. A new species of Atolla. Nature, Land., Vol. 181, p. 1811.Google Scholar
Schroder, O., 1907. Neue Radiolarien. Dtsch. SüdpolExped. Bd. 9 (Zoologie Bd. 1), pp. 205–23.Google Scholar
Sears, M., 1954. Ctenophores in the Gulf of Mexico. Fish. Bull., U.S., Vol. 55, No. 89, p. 297.Google Scholar
Serra, J. A., 1946. Constitution of hair melanins. Nature, Lond., Vol. 157, p. 771.Google Scholar
Smyth, J. R. Jr, Porter, J. W. & Bohren, B. B., 1951. A study of pigments from red, brown, and buff feathers and hair. Physiol. Zoöl., Vol. 24, pp. 205–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steche, O., 1907. Über leuchtende Oberflächenfische aus dem malayischen Archipel. Verh. dtsch. zool. Ges., Bd. 17, pp. 85–93.Google Scholar
Stephensen, K., 1923. Decapoda-Macrura excl. Sergestidae. Rep. Danish oceanogr. Exped. Medit., Vol. 2, Biol., No. 7, D. 3. 85 pp.Google Scholar
Steuer, A., 1910. Planktonkunde. Leipzig und Berlin: B. N. Teubner.Google Scholar
Strickland, J. D. H., 1957. Solar radiation penetrating the ocean. Fish. Res. Bd Can. Mimeographed publication (File N 7–2–2 (7)).Google Scholar
Sverdrup, H. U., Johnson, M. W. & Fleming, R. H., 1942. The Oceans: their Physics, Chemistry and General Biology. New York: Prentice-Hall.Google Scholar
Thompson, H., 1948. Pelagic Tunicates of Australia. Melbourne: Commonwealth Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.Google Scholar
Totton, A. K., 1954. Siphonophora of the Indian Ocean, together with systematic and biological notes on related specimens from other oceans. ‘Discovery’ Rep., Vol. 27, pp. 1–162.Google Scholar
Trojan, E., 1907. Zur Lichtentwicklung in den Photosphärien der Euphausien. Arch. mikr. Anat., Bd. 70, pp. 177–89.Google Scholar
Tucker, D. W., 1954. Report on the fishes collected by S. Y. “Rosaura” in the North and Central Atlantic, 1937–38. Part I. Families Carcharhinidae, Torpedinidae, Rosauridae (nov.), Salmonidae, Alepocephalidae, Searsidae, Clupeidae. Bull. Brit. Mus. (nat. Hist.), Vol. 2 (Zool.), pp. 163–239.Google Scholar
Wald, G., Nathanson, N., Jencks, W. P. & Tarr, E., 1948. Crustacyanin, the blue carotenoid-protein of the lobster shell. Biol. Bull., Woods Hole, Vol. 95, pp. 249–50.Google Scholar
Walsh, J. W. T., 1953. Photometry. London: Constable.Google Scholar
Young, J. Z., 1950. The Life of Vertebrates. Oxford: Clarendon Press.Google Scholar