Abyssal glowing sea spider, first insight into pycnogonid luminescence
(2026) Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers — Vol. 231, p. 104735 (2026)
Files
PycnoBiolum DSR 2026.pdf
Open Access - Adobe PDF
- 4.9 MB
Details
- Authors
- Abstract
- We report the first observations of bioluminescence in two giant deep-sea pycnogonid species from the family Colossendeidae, Colossendeis tasmanica Staples, 2007 and Colossendeis minor Schimkewitsch, 1893, both collected from the Australian abyss. Notably, C. tasmanica was abundant enough to allow for detailed study. This species emits a bright deep-blue light (λ max = 449 nm) from its legs, displaying a distal-to-proximal luminescence gradient. Luminescence is triggered by H 2 O 2 and KCl, while adrenaline does not induce light emission. The lack of response to the hot and cold assay suggests that the luminescence system of C. tasmanica is not luciferin-luciferase-based, but instead resembles a photoprotein-based system. Catalase and Fenton assays also elicited light responses, with Fenton's reagent response increasing with calcium concentration. These results suggest that calcium ions, catalase, and H 2 O 2 may be involved in the luminescence mechanism. Histological analysis indicates that light is produced in gut-associated cells within the legs, implying that trophic acquisition of a factor may be necessary. The ecological function of C. tasmanica bioluminescence, whether for anti-predation, predation, or reproduction, remains speculative and warrants further investigation of this abyssal species.
- Affiliations
Citations
Mallefet, J., Staples, D., O'hara, T., & Duchatelet, L. (2026). Abyssal glowing sea spider, first insight into pycnogonid luminescence. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 231, 104735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2026.104735 (Original work published 2026)