What a glowing bird. The most unusual luminous sea animals

Glow is considered a common phenomenon in nature. Therefore, the ability to emit light using a simple chemical reaction, or bioluminescence, occurs in at least 50 various types mushrooms, fireflies and even terrifying sea creatures. With this reaction glowing creatures They derive many benefits for themselves: they drive away predators, attract prey, rid their cells of oxygen, or simply cope with existence in the eternal darkness of the depths of the ocean.

One way or another, luminescence is one of the most ingenious tools of life, and we will present you a list of the most unusual and strange creatures, capable of glowing in the dark. Many of these species are currently on display at the American Museum Natural History in New York.

Female and male monkfish

Hell Squid

Glowing jellyfish

What unusual and amazing creatures not found in the sea or in the depths of the ocean. The following green-rimmed purple creatures live in Pacific Ocean off the coast North America. These jellyfish are capable of generating two types of glow at once. Bioluminescent has a purple-blue glow and is produced by a chemical reaction between calcium and protein. And this reaction, in turn, causes a glow around the jellyfish’s rim, forming a green fluorescent protein, and then a green glow. Scientists widely use this feature of the creature to study the visualization of processes in the body.

Fire water

Surely few people know that in nature there is a phenomenon that can be compared to a luminous ocean. However, no one would refuse to watch the bright blue neon surf of the ocean with their own eyes. The thing is that the water is filled with dinoflagellates, single-celled planktonic creatures with tails, which are distributed over impressive areas off the coast. Scientists believe that these creatures have inhabited our planet for a billion years, and for the last few millennia, puzzled people have been inclined to attribute this phenomenon to the mysterious magic of the sea gods.

Big Mouth

To hunt for food, this fish first uses bioluminescence to produce fluorescence in the form of red lights in the area near its nose, and then emits red pulses to detect shrimp. When prey is found, an unlock signal is sent and the jaw is activated. The ingenious predator takes advantage of the fact that shrimp, like many other inhabitants of the sea, cannot recognize red light.

Systellaspis shrimp

However, not all shrimp are so pliable and easily accessible to predators. For example, sistellaspis shrimp have excellent protection, including against largemouth. These shrimp disarm predators by spitting a nasty, glowing liquid from their tail right in front of their mouths.

Coral wall

A 1,000-foot-tall blood wall made of glowing coral has been discovered in the Cayman Islands. This interesting phenomenon became possible due to the fact that many bioluminescent creatures found refuge here. Many scuba divers enthusiastically take pictures of how the corals transform their red color into an amazing green glow.

Nature is generous. It gives beauty and grace to some, intelligence and cunning to others, poison and a formidable appearance to others. The unfortunate and ugly, who live in deep darkness, also get something.

Bioluminescence is the ability of living organisms to glow, achieved independently or with the help of symbionts. The name comes from ancient Greek. βίος, "life" and Lat. lumen- "light". Light is created in more highly developed organisms in special luminous organs (for example, in the photophores of fish), in unicellular eukaryotes - in special organelles, and in bacteria - in the cytoplasm. Bioluminescence is based on chemical processes in which the released energy is released in the form of light. Thus, bioluminescence is a special form of chemiluminescence. Wikipedia

1. Hatchetfish Sternoptychidae

The abdomen of this small tropical fish, living at a depth of 200 to 2000 m, is equipped with photophores that produce green radiation. Luminescence masks the silhouette of the hatchet: against the background of backlight from above (from the surface of the ocean), the fish becomes almost invisible to predators living below.

2. Glowing larvae Arachnocampa luminosa

The ceiling of New Zealand's Waitomo Cave resembles a starry sky. This is how the larvae of the local fungus gnat sparkle. They weave silk nests, lower down many threads with sticky liquid and with their shine attract prey - midges, snails and even their own adult relatives.

3. Nochesvetka Noctiluca scintillans

The mysterious glow of the sea, which has been fascinating sailors and fishermen in different places for centuries globe, are caused by single-celled organisms, dinoflagellates, that form aggregations in surface waters. The pulses of light they emit may be an alarm signal.

4.Glowing mushrooms Mycena lux-coeli

Over 70 species of luminescent mushrooms are known. More than 40 of them belong to the genus Mycena. Japanese mycena lux-coeli mushrooms growing on fallen trees are only 1–2 cm in diameter, but their glow can be seen in the dark at a distance of 50 meters. Presumably, this is how the mushrooms attract insects that carry the spores.

5. Hell Vampire Vampyroteuthis infernalis

The cephalopod, the only modern representative of the vampiromorph order, lives at a depth of 400–1000 meters, in the oxygen minimum zone. His entire body is covered with photophores, the activity of which the vampire has good control over: he can control the duration and intensity of the flashes. Instead of ink, in case of danger it emits a cloud of sparkling mucus.

6. Scorpios Scorpiones

A handheld UV lamp has long been used for night field surveys of these animals. Scorpions do not have the ability to bioluminescence, but their exoskeleton contains fluorescent substances that are activated under the influence of ultraviolet waves of a certain length.

7. Fireflies Lampyridae

There are about 2000 species of beetles in this family. All of them have different types of luminescent organs. The most common is the lanterna, located on the terminal segments of the abdomen. Light signals of varying intensity and duration are a means of communication between females and males.

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Ercinia Latin name for a bird of the Hercynian forest whose feathers glow at nightis Latin name variant of Hercinia, bird of Hercynian forest in Germany with feathers which shine at nightLatin name for a bird of the Hercynian forest whose feathers glow at night

Hercynia is Latin name variant of Hercinia, bird of Hercynian forest in Germany with feathers which shine at nightLatin name for a bird of the Hercynian forest whose feathers glow at nightis Latin name variant of Hercinia, bird of Hercynian forest in Germany with feathers which shine at nightLatin name for a bird of the Hercynian forest whose feathers glow at night

This legend began with Pliny the Elder in short message in book 10 of his “Natural History”:

In the Hercynian Forest in Germany, we were told, there are strange birds whose feathers glow like fire at night.

Pliny the Elder “Natural History” X. LXVII. 132

Gaius Julius Solinus in the 3rd century AD. increased this description to the whole story. It turns out that in the dark Hercynian forest (for more information about the forest, see the article “Akhlis”), everyone is not only accustomed to this wonderful bird, but also, having plucked its feathers, uses their features for night travel:

In the Hercynian Forest there are birds whose plumage glows in the dark and provides light that disperses the night that reigns in the thicket. Therefore, local residents try to direct their nightly forays in such a way that they can navigate by this light. They also find their way by throwing sparkling feathers into the darkness ahead of them.

Solin “Collection of sights”, 20, 6-7

Isidore of Seville repeated Solin's information, but with the exception that travelers walking through the German forest at night no longer throw feathers ahead of them; now the birds themselves fly in front of the one walking and illuminate his path with their shining wings. Isidore names the birds ercinias (Hercyniae) and derives this name from the Hercynian Forest (Hercynio) - a name possibly coined by Isidore himself.

Over time, these birds fell into the collection of messages that were absorbed from the “Etymologies” by medieval bestiaries. In the bestiaries of the Second Family, a bird ercinia- an ordinary guest, but the bestiaries did not add any additional features to this bird, regularly and almost verbatim repeating Isidore.

In the “Cosmography” of Ethik Istrian (VII century), these birds unexpectedly changed their localization and turned out to be inhabitants not of the Hercynian forest, but of the Hyrcanian forest in the Caspian region. In Ethicus, the Hyrcanian forest looks out of place, since before that he describes northern regions. Most likely, this was a common mistake, but it bore fruit and a number of medieval authors place these birds in regions near the Caspian Sea.

A curious stage in the development of the legend of luminous birds was recorded by Hugo of Saint-Victor, describing a large Ebstfors-type map of the world in 1030-1035. In space "along northern ocean, between the Danube and this ocean,” Hugo, in particular, saw a certain cape inhabited by the Gelons, who cover themselves with the skin of their enemies, then the Goths, Cynocephalians, and then the Khazars, Gazari, and “a forest of horses with luminous birds,” saltus equinus, habens aves fulgore perspicvas (definition of "equine", eqinus - apparently a corruption of Hercinus.

Chekin, L.S. "Cartography of the Christian Middle Ages. VIII-XIII centuries."

Honorius of Augustodon in the 12th century goes even further and from the entirely invented “Hyrcanian Forest” he produces the entire region of Hyrcania, and places Hyrcania itself to the west of Bactria:

Here begins Hyrcania, named after the Hyrcanian Forest, where there are birds whose feathers glow at night.

Honorius of Augustodon "On the Image of the World", I.XIX

There is a hypothesis that the beginning of this legend could have been the bright plumage of the waxwing's tail.

For the first time these birds were mentioned by Pliny the Elder(23-79 AD):

In Hercynio Germaniae saltu invisitata genera alitum accepimus, quarum plumae ignium modo conluceant noctibus.

Gaius Plinius Secundus "Naturalis Historia", VIII.123-124

We have been told of strange kinds of birds in the Hercynian Forest of Germany whose feathers shine like fires at night-time.

In 3 century A.D. Solin enlarged this brief account to a whole story:

Saltus Hercynius aves gignit, quarum pennae per obscurum emicant et interlucent, quamvis obtenta nox denset tenebras. unde homines loci illius plerumque nocturnos excursus sic destinant, ut illis utantur ad praesidium itineris dirigendi, praeiactisque per opaca callium rationem viae moderentur indicio plumarum refulgentium.

Cajus Julius Solinus "Collectanea rerum memorabilium", 20, 3

The Forrest of Hertswald bréedeth byrds, whose feathers shyne and giue light in the darke, though the night be never so close and clowdy. And therefore men of that Countrey, doo for the most parte so laye theyr outgoings by night, that they may vse thē for a helpe to direct theyr journey by: and casting them before them in ye open pathes, doo finde howe to kéepe theyr way by the glystring of those feathers, which shewe them which way to goe.

The excellent and pleasant worke of Iulius Solinus Polyhistor...

Isidore of Seville repeated all written by Solin except of traveler"s modus operandi with feathers of this bird. Name Hercynia first time appears also in "Etymologies".

Some marine animals, including 180 species of fish, have unique structures in their skin that, when exposed to blue light, allow them to glow neon red, green or orange. This feature is called biofluorescence. It, unlike bioluminescence, which occurs through a chemical reaction in the bodies of thousands of marine and terrestrial animals, occurs completely differently. First of all, biofluorescence is not the result of a chemical reaction, and the external tissues of animals cannot emit light on their own. Instead, organisms that exhibit fluorescence absorb blue light, transform it, and re-emit it. At the molecular level, this happens as follows. Special fluorescent molecules in the body absorb high-energy photons of blue light. When these photons collide with fluorescent molecules, the latter become “excited” to the point that their electrons become high-energy. After being “excited,” the electrons quickly return to their original state, but during this “relaxation,” they release energy in the form of photons. But because the electrons expended energy when they were “excited,” they emit photons at a lower energy level than those that were absorbed. In other words, the body begins to emit long-wavelength light, such as green, yellow or orange. Marine animals that exhibit biofluorescence constantly absorb the blue light present in the ocean. It is known that light is absorbed by water molecules, organic and inorganic substances dissolved in water, and phytoplankton. Thus, infrared and red light are completely absorbed top layers water, only green-blue light penetrates into the deep layers of the ocean, and at depths of more than 100 meters only blue light remains. Biofluorescence is characteristic sea ​​creatures, inhabiting different layers of the ocean. These, for example, include the cat shark, some representatives of the families of scorpionfish and triple-finned fish, as well as corals. According to scientists, this phenomenon is especially common among secretive fish that hide in corals and cracks on the bottom. Today, researchers cannot say for sure how animals use biofluorescence. However, according to the most common version, they need this feature to communicate with each other. Moreover, this method allows fish to exchange signals secretly, remaining invisible to predators. After all, it is known that not all fish have the ability to see neon light, but only species with special structure eye. However, scientists have yet to explore this issue more deeply. Interestingly, some animal species can emit multiple colors of light. For example, most of the body seahorse Hippocampus erectus emits a red light, but there are green luminous inclusions around the animal’s eyes.

Luminescence is radiation visible light and light in the ranges from ultraviolet to infrared.
The phenomenon of luminescence in nature has been known for a long time. Its study led to the discovery of X-rays and radioactivity.
Some animals have systems that allow them to produce fluorescent light in order to confuse or frighten an enemy.

Do you know where the tales about the Firebirds and evil spirits came from? Yes, yes, yes, we are familiar with this phenomenon - luminescence!
Those who have been to the tropics could observe truly amazing underwater glows. And under certain circumstances, some have seen birds, fish and even people glowing in the dark!

In previous centuries, people were in awe of what they saw. They mistook the birds glowing with cold fire for flying demons. Myths and fairy tales were written about this phenomenon. Here is one of such myths.
The chronicle of the cathedral located in Staraya Ladoga tells that clerk Fyodor, on an autumn evening in 1864, walked along a cliff above the Volkhov River and heard the noise of wings, similar to that made by ducks. But what was the horror experienced by Fyodor when he saw the demon flying straight at him! The sexton became even more frightened when the demon turned into a goose. Of course, at first no one believed Fyodor’s stories, but after a few days the “demons” appeared to other people. The bravest tried to catch these Firebirds, but their efforts were not crowned with success. A late autumn « evil spirits"disappeared.

In the Arkhangelsk area they are still found glowing birds. Mostly ducks and geese. Such meetings also happened in the Moscow region. One of the hunters once shot such a bird, and, putting it in his hunting bag, he was surprised to realize that his hands also began to flicker with a strange light. But the glow stopped while he carried his trophy home.
Scientists explain this phenomenon quite simply. According to ornithologists, special microorganisms settle on the feathers of many birds, which create an amazing glow effect.

Stripes on the water, phosphorescent with cold light, can be seen during a night boat trip along the Black Sea near the city of Sochi. Imagine a huge starry sky, in the distance - the lights of coastal villages with proud mountain peaks rising above them and the water gradually flaring up around the ship, which begins to shimmer more and more with a bluish light! The crests of the waves begin to blaze with an amazing light, and dolphins play joyfully in these flashes. Truly a magnificent sight!

And it is created by marine microorganisms. Jellyfish, some types of squid and fish, and shrimp can glow.
Glowing squids were “discovered” by French scientists in 1834. This squid has 10 tentacles and is most often found in Indian Ocean and off the coast South Africa. The phenomenon of such a glow is called chemiluminescence - this is the transition of chemical energy into light without the cost of heat.
But the phenomenon of luminous giant wheels in tropical seas still remains a mystery. These wheels reach several meters in diameter; they rotate and move over the water, leading eyewitnesses into sacred awe. There are many eyewitnesses to this fantastic spectacle, but so far no one has been able to photograph the wheels.

fireflies

Who among you has not met tiny fireflies flickering green lights in the grass? In Crimea, such fireflies are not uncommon and reach the size of a child’s little fingernail. When you first see such a light in the night, you can easily mistake it for the eye of a predator. Of course! Fear has big eyes!
It happens that tropical fireflies gather in huge groups and sit on a tree, several on each leaf. Their light is visible at a distance of one and a half to two kilometers! Moreover, they simultaneously “turn on and turn off” their “flashlights”.
It’s interesting that once such fireflies saved Cuba from invaders! In the 18th century, a sea expedition landed on the island, but at night the colonialists saw myriads of glowing lights in the forest. The British decided that the enemy forces were too great and they needed to flee before it was too late.