Fuck Yeah Ocean Creatures

mad-as-a-marine-biologist:

Glowing deep-sea discoveries

Scientists have discovered a further two species of colourful deep-sea dwelling worms. This image shows the bright yellow kidneys and purple mouth of the transparent “shining bomber” (Swima fulgida), discovered off the coast of California, US. The findings are published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.

Swima worms can measure up to 3cm (1.2 inches) long and use fan-like bristles to swim through the water at depths of more than 2,700 metres. They are also bioluminescent: producing light in the gloomy depths of the ocean through a chemical reaction in their bodies.

Researchers collected specimens of the worms to study them in a lab. Under blue light, they were able to identify the bioluminescent structures of the worms. In this light the chemicals responsible for bioluminescence show up as bright, fluorescent green.

The worms are named bombers for the tiny “bombs” they can release to distract predators - visible here as two green capsules on the left side of the “green bomber’s” head. When startled the worm can drop the glowing decoys and swim away from the threat.

The other new species, the “orange bomber” (Swima tawitawiensis) was discovered off the Philippines by an international research group led by Larry Madin of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Unlike the species found off the US west coast, it has orange instead of green blood.

Source: BBC

(via seatopia)