05/03/2026
Bioluminescence is light produced by a living organism. A form of chemiluminescence — the production of visible light by a chemical reaction — scientists call the process “bioluminescence” when the reaction occurs in living organisms.
While rare in terrestrial ecosystems, bioluminescence is common in the marine environment. Many types of marine life, from bacteria, to squid, to fish, include some bioluminescent species. While scientists don’t yet know the full purpose or function of this specialized adaptation or how it evolved, it is known to help organisms with a variety of activities, including locating food; warning, defending against, and hiding from predators; and attracting prey or food.
Learn more about bioluminescence in this video: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/multimedia/edu-resources-dsd-bioluminescence
Images: Examples of bioluminescence. Upper left: Counterillumination of the bottom surface of the eye-flash squid, Abralia veranyi. Upper right: Defensive spew bioluminescence in the shrimp, Parapandalus. Lower left: The bioluminescent lure of the barbeled dragonfish, Eustomias pacificus. Lower middle: Possible warning bioluminescence in the brittle star, Ophiochiton ternispinus. Lower right: Bioluminescent searchlight under the eye of the threadfin dragonfish, Echiostoma barbatum.
