Marine eukaryote bioluminescence: a review of species and their functional biology

Abstract

Bioluminescence, the ability of organisms to produce visible light, has intrigued scientists for centuries. Studies have examined bioluminescence, using a wide range of approaches and organisms, from its ecological role to its underlying molecular mechanisms, leading to various applications and even a Nobel prize. Over the last ten years, an increasing amount of data has been collected leading to a growing number of recognized marine bioluminescent species. This review provides and describes a referenced listing of the eukaryotic luminous marine species, including information related to: (i) intrinsic versus extrinsic source of the bioluminescence, (ii) the color and maximum wavelength of emission, (iii) the bioluminescent system (substrate and enzyme) and the associated molecules, (iv) the availability of light organ/cell(s) pattern and histological structure, (v) the physiological control of the light production, and (vi) the demonstrated or suggested bioluminescent function(s). This listing provides basic information and references for researchers in or entering in the field of marine bioluminescence. Using a semi-quantitative approach, we then highlight major research gaps and opportunities and reflect on the future of the field.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-024-00250-0.

Keywords: Bioluminescence functions; Bioluminescence system; Diversity; Luminescence; Taxonomy; Wavelength.

Fig. 1

Evolution of bioluminescence studies. A Number of publications reporting bioluminescent marine eukaryote species over time. B Cumulative number of bioluminescent species over time per eukaryote phylum. Major bioluminescent taxa are schematized. Top left inset: the relative (i.e., scaled to 2023) cumulative number of marine bioluminescent and all animal species over time. See Table S1 for raw data. C Contribution (in log₁₀ number of publications per author) of researchers involved in the study of bioluminescent marine eukaryote species. The four most productive researchers are highlighted

Fig. 2

Summary of the data from the 1718 bioluminescent marine eukaryotes retrieved from the literature (Table S1). A Number of the luminous marine eukaryotes per phylum. B Number of the luminous teleosts and elasmobranchs per order. C Number of intrinsic, extrinsic, or both type of luminescence among the bioluminescent marine eukaryotes, with the occurrence of bacterial species encountered in extrinsic light emitters. D Percent occurrence of known and unknown light emission colors among the bioluminescent marine eukaryotes, with E percent occurrence of the known light emission colors and repartition of emission wavelengths

Fig. 3

Summary of the bioluminescence systems from the 1718 bioluminescent marine eukaryotes retrieved from the literature (Table S1). A Percent occurrence of luciferin types in intrinsic bioluminescent marine eukayotes. B Percent occurrence of luciferase and photoprotein systems among the described bioluminescent systems, with a list of known photoproteins