The Coolest things about the ocean...
Have you ever swam in the ocean at night?
If you have there is a good chance you have seen what I call one of the most amazing things you can see with you eyes. (OK, I guess that would be a redundant statement... what do you see without your eyes?) I don't never make redundant statement.
I remember the first time I saw this pheneomon, I was with Kevin Rader at Edisto Island (hmm there is a video of that somewhere). Anyways, we were thrashing around in the ocean when we saw an odd glow all around us!
What we are talking about is the glow that can be seen in water as you swim, or as waves crash. This is caused by microorganisms called Dinoflagellates (This isn't some sort of prehistoric effect of late night Dinosaur Taco Bell experiences). No these are phytoplankton found in the ocean. When struck these small creatures (ranging in size from microscopic to 2mm in diameter) the creatures emits a glow (Bio-luminescence).
Bio-luminescence is used to evade predators and acts as a type of burglar alarm defense mechanism in dinoflagellates. Dinoflagellates produce light when the deformation of the cell by minute forces triggers its luminescence. When the cell is disturbed by a predator, it will give a light flash lasting 0.1 to 0.5 seconds. The flash is meant to attract a secondary predator that will be more likely to attack the predator that is trying to consume the dinoflagellate. The light flash also makes the predator jump and worry about other predators attacking it, making the predator less likely to prey on the dinoflagellate.
But how do you enjoy this? Just go for a swim in the ocean on a dark night. Watch the crashing waves, they don't glow because of reflecting the stars. Then thrash in the water, you will find that the terrified dinoflagellates will then put there show on for you...
The question is though... what secondary predator are they drawing towards you?
Comments
A quote for Wednesday.
"Are your chickens 'free range'?... Because I only eat 'free range' chickens - People will soon experience the kharmic retribution for their treatment of chickens... I think it was Buddha that said that...
Mal, was it Buddha that said that?"
- My boss, ordering lunch today.
Posted by: mallory | August 24, 2005 04:10 PM
Actually you should be ashamed of scaring the dinoflagellates. No wonder they try to get a shark or something to eat you, they are just little creatures. If a predator tried to eat me I would give off a bio-something as well. But seriously that is another example of the many wonders we can experience in creation. Even stuff like fire-flies, why do they bio-luminate, they could find mates another way. Cool stuff man!!!
Posted by: JPS | August 24, 2005 04:18 PM
ha.. interesting comment...
yes i guess even when humans get scared we give off a bio something ;0)
and maybe thats why they are called dino"flatulates"
Posted by: itzjerm | August 24, 2005 05:21 PM
sharks? i knew it! so the more of the glowy stuff, the more at risk you are for shark attack, right;) i'm glad i got in the ocean the second night then haha jk;)
Posted by: kathryn | August 24, 2005 08:49 PM
so, just what do the kanji caracters say...
confusious says: small animal glows in anger, shark gets revenge
Posted by: toopriddy | August 25, 2005 06:42 PM