A creature with a musical name presents a spectacular light show to the cameras of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute's remotely operated vehicle. This ctenophore seems to be exhibiting bioluminescence, but what the "lights" actually represent is reflection or refraction of the photoflood lights from rhythmically beating cilia. The deep red color is a survival adaptation, helping to mask the bioluminescence of creatures it ingests, so that it does not itself become visible to other predators.
It has been suggested that comb jellies such as the ctenophores are ancestors of all life on earth.
YouTube link, via The Daily Dish and Nerdcore.
It has been suggested that comb jellies such as the ctenophores are ancestors of all life on earth.
YouTube link, via The Daily Dish and Nerdcore.
http://www.neatorama.com/2009/02/06/red-jellyfish/