Control of bioluminescence in Myctophid fishes

Abstract

Bioluminescence crosses all oceanic dimensions and has evolved many times from bacteria to fish to powerfully influence behavioral and ecosystem dynamics. Luminous fishes make up a major portion of the oceans' mid- and deep-water fauna. However, in only a few of these the mechanism of luminescence well understood. Myctophids, or lanternfishes, are among the most abundant group of mesopelagic fishes in the World's oceans. They range from the Arctic to the Antarctic and, as a result of their diurnal migrations, can be found from the surface waters down to depths exceeding 2000 m. They have small photophores pointed downward and to the side, as well as large photophores on the tail, which can produce bright, fast flashes. In spite of the vast quantity of research directed towards myctophids, there are still few or no firm results regarding control of bioluminescence in myctophids.