Evolution of Bioluminescence of Deep Sea Organisms

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Evolution of Bioluminescence of Deep Sea Organisms

• By Selisha M. Cherry
• Bio 425
• April 19, 2011

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Agenda

• Definition of bioluminescence
• Research Goals
• Adaptations
• Attraction/Repulsion
• Reproduction
• Avoid Predation
• Future Research

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Definition

• Bioluminescence - light emission from living
  organisms based upon a chemiluminescent reaction
  which is catalysed by a specific enzyme.

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Research Goals

• Where/When did bioluminescence originate from in
  marine life?
• What adaptations have come from the evolution of
  bioluminescence?
• What does research show about bioluminescence?

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Origination of Marine Bioluminescence

• Where/When did bioluminescence originate from in
  marine life?

50 A.D. Pliny the Elder
1754 Godeheu de Riville First description of phosphorescent ostracods (crustaceans).
1885 French physiologist Raphael Dubois
1922 E. Newton Harvey
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Adaptations for bioluminescence

• Bioluminescence is used to aid organisms with the
  three essential aspects of life
• Find Food
• Reproduction
• Avoid Predation

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Adaptations for bioluminescence

• Attract Food

• Bioluminescence is used as a lure to attract prey
  by several deep sea fish

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Adaptations for bioluminescence

• Reproduction

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Adaptations for bioluminescence

• Avoid Predation

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Research study
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Research

• Different luciferins for different organisms.

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Research
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Future Research

• The common ancestry of bioluminescent organisms
  is unknown. Current research in this field hopes
  to yield the answer to this question, unlocking
  one of the greatest scientific mysteries of
  modern time.
• New avenues focused on chemistry
• Anti-bacteria agents
• Cancer fighting agents
• Testing for the presence of life on Mars
• Detecting pollutants in our waters

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References

• Brejc, K. et al. (1997) Structural basis for the
  dual excitation and photoisomerization of the
  Aequorea victoria green ßuorescent protein.
  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
  USA 94, 2306.
• Dubuisson, M., Marchand, C. and J.F. Rees. 2004.
  Firefly luciferin as antioxidant and light
  emitter the evolution of insect bioluminescence.
  Luminescence 19 339-344.
• E A Meighen, 1991. Molecular biology of bacterial
  bioluminescence. Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev., 55
  123-142
• Haddock, Steven H.D. (2010) Bioluminescence in
  the Sea. Annual Review of Marine Science 2(1)
• Hastings, J. W. 1976. Bioluminescence. Oceanus.
  19 17-27.
• Herring, Peter J. (1987) Systematic distribution
  of bioluminescence in living organisms. Journal
  of Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence 1(3)
• Herring , P.J. (1987) Systematic distribution of
  bioluminescence in living organisms. Journal of
  Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence 1,
  147.Ð163.
• Jones D. W., 2004. Bioluminescence. Retreived
  from http//www.ridgenet.net/do_while/sage/v14i1
  2f.htm on April 3, 2010.
• Moline, Mark A. (2007) Bioluminescence in a
  complex coastal environmentTemporal dynamics of
  nighttime water-leaving radiance. Journal of
  Geophysical Research 112(c11)

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Questions?