Featured image courtesy of SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC via Flickr

Scientists at Florida International University have discovered that organs used to emit light on deep-sea bioluminescent shrimp are also capable of detecting light.

How we know this.

Certain fishes, cephalopods and other marine animals contain organs called photophores that emit light to attract food or hide from predators. In bioluminescent shrimp, photophores light up to help the shrimp blend into their environment by matching the light conditions coming from above, a type of camouflage known as counterillumination. Using a series of light-exposure experiments, the research team found that photophores in shrimp also contained certain light-sensitive proteins, making them capable of detecting light.

The newly discovered light-sensing aspect of these organs may provide these shrimp with an extra sense, helping them adjust their lighting with higher precision to maximize camouflage.

Why it matters.

The findings shine light on a newly discovered role of these photophores in counterillumination, which affects a shrimp’s ability to survive as it moves up from its deep-sea habitat to feed in shallower waters. Future studies could examine whether this light-sensing role is present in other bioluminescent creatures.

Learn More:

• About bioluminescence and why animals use it.
• Read the full article.