Photophore

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
elongate jewel squid
(Histioteuthis reversa), so called because the photophores festooning its body make it appear bejewelled
Diagram of a cephalopod's photophore, in vertical section

A photophore is a glandular organ that appears as

bacteria in the organism that are cultured
.

The character of photophores is important in the identification of

deep sea fishes. Photophores on fish are used for attracting food or for camouflage from predators by counter-illumination
.

Photophores are found on some cephalopods including the firefly squid, which can create impressive light displays, as well as numerous other deep sea organisms such as the pocket shark Mollisquama mississippiensis and the strawberry squid.[1][2]

  • Arrangement of various photophores on the squid Lycoteuthis lorigera
    Arrangement of various photophores on the squid Lycoteuthis lorigera
  • Photophores on a lanternfish, the most common deep sea fish worldwide
    Photophores on a lanternfish, the most common deep sea fish worldwide
  • This anglerfish has a dorsal fin whose first ray has become very long and is tipped with a luminous photophore fishing lure
    This anglerfish has a dorsal fin whose first ray has become very long and is tipped with a luminous photophore fishing lure

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Cephalopod Photophore Terminology". Tolweb.org. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
  2. ^ Scribner, Herb (2019-07-23). "This glow-in-the-dark shark was recently discovered. Here's what we know". Deseret News. Retrieved 2020-08-06.