Dec 17, 2011
ichthyologist: Deep sea anglerfish Suborder Ceratioidei Requested The lures of the female deep sea anglerfish (male anglerfish have no luminous organs) is much more elaborate than the lure of the shallow water species and in addition bioluminescence is used to attract the prey in the dark. The lures are modified dorsal fins and contain luminous bacteria which produce a bluish, greenish light. The light and movement of the lure attract the prey to within reach of the gaping jaws. The anglerfish Cryptopsaras can slide the rod part of the apparatus back into a groove, drawing the lure and prey closer to the mouth. It can rotate the lure tip and produce a flash from it as well as a glow. All this is controlled by enzymes and the contraction of chromatophores. Theodore W. Pietsch and Christopher P. Kenaley

ichthyologist:

Deep sea anglerfish Suborder Ceratioidei
Requested

The lures of the female deep sea anglerfish (male anglerfish have no luminous organs) is much more elaborate than the lure of the shallow water species and in addition bioluminescence is used to attract the prey in the dark. The lures are modified dorsal fins and contain luminous bacteria which produce a bluish, greenish light. The light and movement of the lure attract the prey to within reach of the gaping jaws. The anglerfish Cryptopsaras can slide the rod part of the apparatus back into a groove, drawing the lure and prey closer to the mouth. It can rotate the lure tip and produce a flash from it as well as a glow. All this is controlled by enzymes and the contraction of chromatophores.

Theodore W. Pietsch and Christopher P. Kenaley

(Source: tolweb.org, via ichthyologist-2)

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