European Ocean Biodiversity Information System

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

The presence of lateral photophores correlates with increased speciation in deep-sea bioluminescent sharks
Claes, J.M.; Nilsson, D.-E.; Mallefet, J.; Straube, N. (2015). The presence of lateral photophores correlates with increased speciation in deep-sea bioluminescent sharks. Royal Society Open Science 2(7): 5. https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.150219
In: Royal Society Open Science. The Royal Society: London. ISSN 2054-5703; e-ISSN 2054-5703
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open access 314075 [ download pdf ]

Keywords
    Etmopterus Rafinesque, 1810 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    bioluminescence; diversification; evolution; shark; visual detection

Authors  Top 
  • Claes, J.M.
  • Nilsson, D.-E.
  • Mallefet, J.
  • Straube, N.

Abstract
    The vast majority of species within the lanternshark genus Etmopterus harbour complex luminescent markings on their flanks, whose functional significance has long remained obscure. Recent studies, however, suggest these enigmatic photophore aggregations to play a role in intraspecific communication. Using visual modelling based on in vivo luminescence measurements from a common lanternshark species, we show that etmopterid flank markings can potentially work as a medium range signal for intraspecific detection/recognition. In addition, using molecular phylogenetic analyses, we demonstrate that the Etmopterus clade exhibits a greater than expected species richness given its age. This is not the case for other bioluminescent shark clades with no (or only few) species with flank markings. Our results therefore suggest that etmopterid flank markings may provide a way for reproductive isolation and hence may have facilitated speciation in the deep-sea.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors