Like the New York Times piece said, it is estimated that 76% of marine animals in the deep ocean are capable of producing their own light. Because the abyss is a lightless world, this biological light show is the primary, or only, light source in the ecosystem. Abyssal animals use bioluminescence for survival in a world of absolute darkness, many fish, like the anglerfish, use a glowing lure to attract unsuspecting prey. Some squid and jellyfish can release a cloud of bioluminescent material to stun or confuse predators, or use bright, sudden flashes to surprise them, others use specific patterns of light to attract mates or recognize members of the same species. Jellyfish, siphonophores, and ctenophores are common and often display bright blue or green light. Many abyssal fish (e.g., lanternfish, viperfish) have light-producing organs called photophores on their bodies. Small shrimp (e.g., ostracods) and cephalopods (e.g., vampire squid) are also commonly bioluminescent. In the deep-sea abyss, bioluminescence is often cited as one of the most common forms of communication and survival. Most deep-sea bioluminescence is blue or green, because blue light travels the farthest through seawater.
This is the spew bioluminescence of the deep-sea benthic shrimp Heterocarpus ensifer. The clouds of light (generated by ingredients from two locations on each side of the mouth) are insanely beautiful.
Japanese Spider Crab. This crab is another well-known deep sea giant. These massive crabs can grow to over 12 feet across, with legs that can span up to 18 feet. They are found in the waters off Japan, and are a popular target for fishermen.
This glowing pink sea cucumber may seem like an alien life form, but it’s actually related to sea stars and sea urchins. While most sea cucumbers attach themselves to the seafloor, Enypniastes eximia is part of an elite club of swimmers. It visits the seafloor to feed on the organic material attached to sand and mud, stuffing the sediment into their mouths with tube feet. It uses the wing-like collar around the front of its body to swim several hundred feet up from the bottom. This guy’s intestines and other internal organs are visible through its clear body wall, which is covered with light-producing organs. Scientists think bioluminescence may help this sea cucumber, and many other species, deter predators. This picture was taken with a remotely operated vehicle 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) below the surface. It comes to you courtesy of the 2007 Inner Space Speciation Project, a WHOI-led, international effort to discover new species that developed in isolation between the warm shallow waters of the Coral Triangle and the deep ocean basins of the Celebes Sea.
Crystal jellyfish. It was discovered that a previously unknown protein is responsible for the blue light. It was called aequorin in honor of the jellyfish. In addition to this, scientists also identified a second protein called GFP (green fluorescent protein) which emits a bright green light when illuminated with blue light. This means that the blue pigment aequorin causes the fluorescence of GFP and strengthens the jellyfish’s overall glow. It was later discovered that the gene encoding GFP can be inserted into virtually any living cell as a glowing marker to track the functions of various genes. The discovery of this protein has revolutionized cellular and molecular biology and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2008.
It's unbelievable, the creatures in the abyss are literally down there putting on light shows. Here is a group of bioluminescent jellyfish, absolutely stunning.
Scientists have discovered a remarkable deep-sea worm named Swima bombiviridis. This creature lives miles below the ocean surface in complete darkness. When threatened, it releases glowing green sacs.
Mysterious creature, now named Bathydevius caudactylus, a bioluminescent sea slug, was observed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute’s remotely operated vehicle Tiburon in the outer Monterey Canyon off California at a depth of approximately 1,550 meters.
Cookie cutter shark. This nasty little bioluminescent shark with its neatly arranged serrated teeth inhabits the oceanic ‘twilight zone’ in depths to 1,000m. Cookie cutter sharks are called that because they leave distinct, perfectly round, crater-like, cookie-shaped wounds on their prey. They feed by attaching to large marine animals—such as whales, seals, sharks, and tuna—using suction, then spinning their bodies to cut out a conical plug of flesh, acting similarly to a culinary cookie cutter. Look at the teeth on this creature.
Abraliopsis bioluminescent squid. I would love to see these creatures up close in person, but honest to god, I'd be too chicken to journey to those depths of the ocean, if something went wrong with the submersible the pressure down there would crush you to death instantly, like an empty soda can.
Speaking of squid, one creature that has always fascinated me is the Giant squid. Giant squid live up to their name, the largest giant squid ever recorded by scientists was almost 43 feet (13 meters) long, and may have weighed nearly a ton. You’d think such a huge animal wouldn't be hard to miss. But because the ocean is vast and giant squid live deep underwater, they remain elusive and are rarely seen: most of what we know comes from dead carcasses that floated to the surface and were found by fishermen. But after years of searching, in 2012 a group of scientists from Japan's National Science Museum along with colleagues from Japanese public broadcaster NHK and the Discovery Channel filmed a giant squid in its natural habitat for the first time. The species was first recorded live in 2006, after researchers suspended bait beneath a research vessel off the Ogasawara Islands to try and hook a giant squid. As the camera whirred, the research team pulled a 24-foot (7-meter) squid to the surface alive enabling people around the world to finally see a living, breathing giant squid.
To get a good idea of just how big the Giant squid are, this is a giant squid eyeball in a jar, removed for scientific study from a dead carcass that washed up.
I have to say, I just back from a trip outside and prices are absolute brutal. And people are definitely feeling it, even Fox news is forced to admit it. Well, the idiots are getting what they voted for.
This is a photo of the giant squid in the abyss, captured by the underwater submersible in 2006 for the discovery channel documentary. I've seen that documentary and it is absolutely fascinating, they had to use a special submersible designed to withstand the pressures of going that deep underwater, to the pitch dark abyss, and they had flood lights attached to the submersible and they were hunting the Kraken, the sea monster, the elusive giant squid.
Giant squid have these huge suckers on their tentacles, it's terrifying to think about those tentacles wrapping around you. Check this out, giant squid have these huge suckers, they use their powerful suckers, which are lined with serrated, sharp chitinous rings, primarily to capture and firmly grip prey—such as deep-sea fish and other squid—and to defend against predators like sperm whales. These suckers are located on their arms and at the ends of their two long feeding tentacles, providing a strong, suction-based grip that leaves lasting scars on attackers. Look at these sucker scar marks on a sperm whale that tried to attack a giant squid.
This is the type of submersible needed to go to the abyss to capture footage of the giant squid, specially designed to withstand the crushing pressure. They typically inhabit depths of 1,000 to 3,000 meters or more, where pressure exceeds 1,500 PSI.
It's fascinating, you often hear tales of the famous sea monster, and if you look at drawings and paintings from the 1800s you'll see images of sea monsters or Kraken attacking a ship or boat. The giant squid is truly a legendary creature.
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Like the New York Times piece said, it is estimated that 76% of marine animals in the deep ocean are capable of producing their own light. Because the abyss is a lightless world, this biological light show is the primary, or only, light source in the ecosystem. Abyssal animals use bioluminescence for survival in a world of absolute darkness, many fish, like the anglerfish, use a glowing lure to attract unsuspecting prey. Some squid and jellyfish can release a cloud of bioluminescent material to stun or confuse predators, or use bright, sudden flashes to surprise them, others use specific patterns of light to attract mates or recognize members of the same species. Jellyfish, siphonophores, and ctenophores are common and often display bright blue or green light. Many abyssal fish (e.g., lanternfish, viperfish) have light-producing organs called photophores on their bodies. Small shrimp (e.g., ostracods) and cephalopods (e.g., vampire squid) are also commonly bioluminescent. In the deep-sea abyss, bioluminescence is often cited as one of the most common forms of communication and survival. Most deep-sea bioluminescence is blue or green, because blue light travels the farthest through seawater.
The Black Dragonfish.
This is the Bloody-Belly Comb Jellyfish.
This is the spew bioluminescence of the deep-sea benthic shrimp Heterocarpus ensifer. The clouds of light (generated by ingredients from two locations on each side of the mouth) are insanely beautiful.
An up-close look at the spew.
Free Glowing fish.
Helmet Jellyfish.
Snipe Eel.
Another great shot of the Snipe Eel.
Angler Fish, it uses bioluminescent light to attract prey. Absolutely insane.
An excellent side view of the Angler Fish.
I'm not kidding when I say that the Angler Fish is not something I would want to encounter.
Japanese Spider Crab. This crab is another well-known deep sea giant. These massive crabs can grow to over 12 feet across, with legs that can span up to 18 feet. They are found in the waters off Japan, and are a popular target for fishermen.
Look at how big the Japanese Spider Crab is. I hate seeing one dead but I do need to show how big these creatures can get.
This is the Vampire Squid, it can cloak itself in a blue cloud.
The Comb Jellyfish can produce waves of light.
Atolla, a Jellyfish, shines bright blue when threatened.
Tomopterid worm, it emits a yellow light to deter predators.
This glowing pink sea cucumber may seem like an alien life form, but it’s actually related to sea stars and sea urchins. While most sea cucumbers attach themselves to the seafloor, Enypniastes eximia is part of an elite club of swimmers. It visits the seafloor to feed on the organic material attached to sand and mud, stuffing the sediment into their mouths with tube feet. It uses the wing-like collar around the front of its body to swim several hundred feet up from the bottom. This guy’s intestines and other internal organs are visible through its clear body wall, which is covered with light-producing organs. Scientists think bioluminescence may help this sea cucumber, and many other species, deter predators. This picture was taken with a remotely operated vehicle 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) below the surface. It comes to you courtesy of the 2007 Inner Space Speciation Project, a WHOI-led, international effort to discover new species that developed in isolation between the warm shallow waters of the Coral Triangle and the deep ocean basins of the Celebes Sea.
Pink see-through fantasia, or the
benthopelagic sea cucumber, swimming in the near freezing waters of the abyss.
Crystal jellyfish. It was discovered that a previously unknown protein is responsible for the blue light. It was called aequorin in honor of the jellyfish. In addition to this, scientists also identified a second protein called GFP (green fluorescent protein) which emits a bright green light when illuminated with blue light. This means that the blue pigment aequorin causes the fluorescence of GFP and strengthens the jellyfish’s overall glow. It was later discovered that the gene encoding GFP can be inserted into virtually any living cell as a glowing marker to track the functions of various genes. The discovery of this protein has revolutionized cellular and molecular biology and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2008.
I mean, it's just amazing, most people are no clue as to what is lurking out there, in the depths of the ocean. The Rainbow glow jellyfish.
Check out this bioluminescent jellyfish.
A Sea Walnut, a type of Comb Jellyfish.
Check out this badboy, a biofluorescent seahorse.
It's unbelievable, the creatures in the abyss are literally down there putting on light shows. Here is a group of bioluminescent jellyfish, absolutely stunning.
Scientists have discovered a remarkable deep-sea worm named Swima bombiviridis. This creature lives miles below the ocean surface in complete darkness. When threatened, it releases glowing green sacs.
Mysterious creature, now named Bathydevius caudactylus, a bioluminescent sea slug, was observed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute’s remotely operated vehicle Tiburon in the outer Monterey Canyon off California at a depth of approximately 1,550 meters.
Cookie cutter shark. This nasty little bioluminescent shark with its neatly arranged serrated teeth inhabits the oceanic ‘twilight zone’ in depths to 1,000m. Cookie cutter sharks are called that because they leave distinct, perfectly round, crater-like, cookie-shaped wounds on their prey. They feed by attaching to large marine animals—such as whales, seals, sharks, and tuna—using suction, then spinning their bodies to cut out a conical plug of flesh, acting similarly to a culinary cookie cutter. Look at the teeth on this creature.
Absolutely beautiful creatures in the abyss.
Abraliopsis bioluminescent squid. I would love to see these creatures up close in person, but honest to god, I'd be too chicken to journey to those depths of the ocean, if something went wrong with the submersible the pressure down there would crush you to death instantly, like an empty soda can.
Speaking of squid, one creature that has always fascinated me is the Giant squid. Giant squid live up to their name, the largest giant squid ever recorded by scientists was almost 43 feet (13 meters) long, and may have weighed nearly a ton. You’d think such a huge animal wouldn't be hard to miss. But because the ocean is vast and giant squid live deep underwater, they remain elusive and are rarely seen: most of what we know comes from dead carcasses that floated to the surface and were found by fishermen. But after years of searching, in 2012 a group of scientists from Japan's National Science Museum along with colleagues from Japanese public broadcaster NHK and the Discovery Channel filmed a giant squid in its natural habitat for the first time. The species was first recorded live in 2006, after researchers suspended bait beneath a research vessel off the Ogasawara Islands to try and hook a giant squid. As the camera whirred, the research team pulled a 24-foot (7-meter) squid to the surface alive enabling people around the world to finally see a living, breathing giant squid.
To get a good idea of just how big the Giant squid are, this is a giant squid eyeball in a jar, removed for scientific study from a dead carcass that washed up.
The giant squid underwater.
I have to say, I just back from a trip outside and prices are absolute brutal. And people are definitely feeling it, even Fox news is forced to admit it. Well, the idiots are getting what they voted for.
Another great shot of the giant squid underwater.
This is a photo of the giant squid in the abyss, captured by the underwater submersible in 2006 for the discovery channel documentary. I've seen that documentary and it is absolutely fascinating, they had to use a special submersible designed to withstand the pressures of going that deep underwater, to the pitch dark abyss, and they had flood lights attached to the submersible and they were hunting the Kraken, the sea monster, the elusive giant squid.
Giant squid have these huge suckers on their tentacles, it's terrifying to think about those tentacles wrapping around you. Check this out, giant squid have these huge suckers, they use their powerful suckers, which are lined with serrated, sharp chitinous rings, primarily to capture and firmly grip prey—such as deep-sea fish and other squid—and to defend against predators like sperm whales. These suckers are located on their arms and at the ends of their two long feeding tentacles, providing a strong, suction-based grip that leaves lasting scars on attackers. Look at these sucker scar marks on a sperm whale that tried to attack a giant squid.
Tiny teeth cover the surface of the giant squid's tongue-like organ, or radula.
This is the type of submersible needed to go to the abyss to capture footage of the giant squid, specially designed to withstand the crushing pressure. They typically inhabit depths of 1,000 to 3,000 meters or more, where pressure exceeds 1,500 PSI.
It's fascinating, you often hear tales of the famous sea monster, and if you look at drawings and paintings from the 1800s you'll see images of sea monsters or Kraken attacking a ship or boat. The giant squid is truly a legendary creature.