Meeting Abstract

28.2  Monday, Jan. 4  A glowing benthic animal is hard to find: A photographic and spectroscopic survey of bioluminescence on the deep-sea floor JOHNSEN, S.*; HADDOCK, S.H.D.; Duke University; Monterey Bay Aquarium and Research Institute sjohnsen@duke.edu

Bioluminescence is nearly ubiquitous in marine pelagic species, particularly those of the open ocean. However, the extent of bioluminescence in the deep-sea benthos is far less studied, although the relatively large eyes of benthic fish, crustaceans and cephalopods suggests the presence of significant biogenic light. Using the Johnson-Sea-Link submersible, we collected numerous species of anthozoans, echinoderms, decapod crustaceans, octopods, teleosts, sponges, and one polychaete from several sites in the northern Bahamas (depth 700 m). Collected animals were tested for light emission via mechanical and chemical stimulation. We photographed the emissions of the bioluminescent species and recorded their spectra. In addition, in-situ intensified video and still photos were taken of different benthic habitats. Surprisingly, bioluminescence in benthic animals was far less common than in pelagic animals, with less than 10% of the collected species emitting light. Bioluminescent taxa comprised two species of anemone, the zoanthid Gerardia sp., three pennatulaceans, three bamboo corals (Isididae), one chrysogorgiid coral, the carid shrimp Parapandalus sp., two swimming holothurians including Enypniastes exima, and one un-identified species of ophiuroid. While the emitted light of the ophiuroid and Parapandalus was blue (peak wavelengths 470 and 455 nm), that of the remaining species was greener than what is found in related pelagic taxa, with the pennatulaceans being strongly shifted towards longer wavelengths. In situ observations suggested that the primary sources of bioluminescence in deep sea benthos are planktonic species that emit light as they strike filter feeders that extend into the water column.