Discovering the Hidden Phenomenon
A recent deep-sea exploration has unveiled a fascinating discovery – 10 species of sea cucumbers emitting light for the first time in their natural habitat. This unexpected observation left the scientists in awe, describing it as a “spectacular movie” of nature’s brilliance.
Astonishing Observations
Manabu Bessho-Uehara, a researcher at Nagoya University in Japan, expressed the astonishment experienced in the control room on the research ship, emphasizing that the sight was so extraordinary that all they could utter was ‘wow’.
Unveiling the Sea Cucumbers
Sea cucumbers, which belong to the same phylum as starfish, inhabit the ocean floor across the globe. This recent revelation sheds light on the previously unknown bioluminescent capabilities of these intriguing marine creatures.
Pannychia moseleyi, a bioluminescent sea cucumber, photographed in a ship laboratory after being collected at a depth of about 1300 metres
Manabu Bessho-Uehara/MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)