Bioluminescence is a biochemical trick which is performed by 80 to 90 % of ocean life but we know precious little about the different ways that bioluminescence is used. Even as a trained Marine Scientist I was not aware that bioluminescence has evolved independently over 50 times nor that it had so many different functions; high beams, camouflage, lures and a myriad of displays are produced by so many animals for so many things that you could hardly imagine how much activity is in the dark regions of the oceans.
As a frequent watcher of TED videos, this TED talk by Edith Widder on Glowing Life in an Underwater World instantly became one of our favorites with a natural history topic. It’s amazing how little resources were required to test the pinwheel LED display robotic jellyfish to lure and spy on underwater sealife and we can’t wait to see what Dr. Widder can accomplish once her project becomes fully deployed.
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