Posted on 12/19/2017 11:42:43 AM PST by Red Badger
Light emitted by a new species of lanternshark, Etmopterus lailae, is camouflage and helps them to hunt, communicate and find partners. But how does it work?
Earlier this year a new species of deep water shark, Etmopterus lailae, was discovered in waters surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Measurements of external features, teeth, vertebrae and intestines, along with specific external markings and patterns confirmed that it was indeed a new species – a member of the lanternshark family. Lanternsharks (Etmopteridae) are one of the most species-rich shark genera, with approximately 38 known species, 11 of which have been described since 2002. Tasmania's coastline glows in the dark as plankton turn blue
The lanternsharks are one of two deep sea shark families to possess the ability to bioluminesce – in other words, they are able to glow in the dark. The other shark family with the ability to do this are the kitefin sharks (Dalatiidae). This family houses the infamous cookie cutter shark, which was known for its impressive ability to disable US Navy submarines in the 70s and 80s, by testing how the electrical cables and rubber sonar domes rated on a culinary scale (Johnson 1978). Imagine being the officer who had to report back about how the submarines were defeated by a particularly voracious ... 22 inch (56cm) shark!
What is bioluminescence and what use is it?
Bioluminescence is the emission of light as a result of a biochemical reaction. In contrast to fluorescence and phosphorescence, bioluminescenct reactions do not require the initial absorption of sunlight or other electromagnetic radiation by a molecule or pigment to emit light.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
If it were a Mason Shark it could feel the grip of another in the dark as well as in the light.....
What if it was a gay shark?.......................
They glow in the colors of the rainbow so, that is proof of Gayness.
But doesn’t he though?
Nice pic. Hope they put it back in the water after they found it. No didn’t read the whole article.
Lanternsharks...any kin to landsharks? Sorry childish humor. Funny old skit from when SNL was good.
Probably not. Animals from the very deep usually don’t survive long at the surface because of the change in pressure...............
Could be a mutation from the A-bomb tests at Eniwetok?
Sushi bump.
Had great fun one night Manta dive swimming around and spotlighting fish for the hunting moaray eels to catch. The eels were smart enough to know the game and followed us around, tracking the spot of light.
These are probably glowing from the Japan nuclear plant leaks.
Thanks Red Badger. I think I saw something like this in an episode of Big Bang.
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