FISH SCHOOLING MEDIATED BY BIOLUMINISCENT FLASHES
The splitfin flashlight fish (Anomalops katoptron) is one of many ocean-dwelling animals that produces its own bioluminescent light using symbiotic bacteria, and according to a study conducted on two expeditions to the Solomon Islands, they use this ability to organize in the absence of ambient light.
Between 2013 and 2016, researchers used high resolution video cameras in deep waters off the Solomon Islands. After analyzing the footages, researchers developed a computer model to simulate the movement of fish banks. So far, lack of technology had hindered the completion of such studies.
- The splitfin flashlightfish (Anomalops katoptron) from Mborokua, Solomon Islands displaying photophobic response of fishes to external illumination.
To confuse predators, these fish can make the light blink and then quickly change direction. This study suggests schools of fish organized from bioluminescence may be very frequent in deep waters.
Reference: Gruber et al. 2019 Bioluminescent flashes drive nighttime schooling behavior and synchronized swimming dynamics in flashlight fish. PLoS ONE
[Photo description:A splitfin flashlightfish, with its mouth open, sideways. In detail the bioluminescent organ is shown, it has an oval shaped, is white and relatively large, located below the eye.]