July 5, 2012
Yesterday, July 4th, people across the United States looked to the skies to enjoy elaborate firework displays. However, some of the most impressive “fireworks” go on underwater every day, deep in the world’s ocean.
Researchers say that 80 to 90 percent of undersea creatures can generate light through an intricate chemical process known as bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is the result of a chemical reaction between two chemicals, luciferase and luciferin, in the presence of oxygen.
Marine vertebrates, invertebrates as well as microorganisms generate bioluminescence. In today’s gallery meet six fascinating marine creatures that literally light up the dark, often to distract predators and sometimes, to attract prey and mates.
Click through the gallery and enjoy this underwater lightshow….