Over 94 organisms have light-emitting ability of bioluminescence, but scientists don't know why

NEW DELHI: A study published by marine biologists specializing in deep-sea habitats have shed new light on the mysterious phenomenon of bioluminescence. Their research reveals that at least 94 different organisms possess the ability to produce their own light through internal chemical reactions.
Despite its widespread occurrence, the origins and original function of bioluminescence remains unknown.
The by Danielle DeLeo focuses on octocorals, which are soft-bodied corals like sea fans with tree-like structures found in oceans worldwide. This comprises approximately 3,500 species, with many exhibiting bioluminescent capabilities.
A study from 2022 examined the evolutionary links among these corals, leveraging genetic data and fossil evidence. This makes octocorals an excellent subject for exploring the origins and historical spread of bioluminescence.
As experts in deep-sea marine biology, it is recognized that bioluminescence is widespread in ocean environments. This was seen in famous Malayalam movie Kumbalangi Nights.
In their latest findings published in April 2024, the scientists unveiled the oldest known record of bioluminescence, dating back over 540 million years during the Cambrian Explosion—a period of rapid animal diversification.
Furthermore, the scientists are investigating bioluminescence in other deep-sea creatures, such as shrimp, which use light as a defensive mechanism and for communication in the dark depths. These studies aim to unravel how environmental light conditions influence the evolution of bioluminescence and its impact on the development of vision in marine organisms.
By mapping the presence of bioluminescence onto the octocoral tree of life, the researchers traced its evolution and proposed early light signaling as a form of communication among ancient marine species.
(With inputs from PTI)