Studies on bioluminescent marine amphipods

Abstract

The luminescence of a number of amphipods of the genera Scina, Parapronoe, Cyphocaris, Megalanceola, Thoriella and Chevreuxiella/Danaella is described. The flashes of Scina spp. are rapid, 80–300 ms in duration, and may be elicited repetitively by electrical stimuli. Cholinesterase inhibitors are potent inducers of luminescence both in whole animals and in isolated appendages. A characteristic postural response is usually associated with mechanically induced luminescence of the larger species of Scina. Cyphocaris and Chevreuxiella/Danaella species also respond to electrical stimuli but the luminous responses are of longer duration than those of Scina and are not stimulated by eserine sulphate. In Parapronoe luminescence can be most easily induced with dilute hydrogen peroxide and the photogenic cells are associated with a brown pigmented area restricting the light output to a ventral direction. Secretory luminescence has been observed only in Megalanceola.