Variation in bioluminescence with ambient illumination and diel cycle in a cosmopolitan ophiuroid (Echninodermata)
Deheyn, D.; Mallefet, J.; Jangoux, M. (1999). Variation in bioluminescence with ambient illumination and diel cycle in a cosmopolitan ophiuroid (Echninodermata). Cah. Biol. Mar. 40(1): 57-63 In: Cahiers de Biologie Marine. Station Biologique de Roscoff: Paris. ISSN 0007-9723; e-ISSN 2262-3094, more |   |
| Abstract | Luminescence intensity and kinetics of the small cosmopolitan ophiuroid Amphipholis squamata were measured in the laboratory from individuals collected in a bright intertidal environment and a dark subtidal environment (15 m depth). Luminescence was also measured during day and night for intertidal individuals only. Luminescence intensity was about 100 fines higher for intertidal individuals than for subtidal individuals, and about 2 times higher during day time than at night for intertidal individuals. It is the first time that luminescence intensity has been shown to vary with depth and between day and night in a benthic invertebrate species. Conversely, luminescence kinetics, were always similar whatever the origin of the sample and time of measurement. Our results support the common belief that differences in luminescence intensity reflect differences in ambient illumination (obtaining enough contrast with the least signal) more than being related to any other environmental parameter. |
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