How do marine creatures like anglerfish and lanternfish use bioluminescence in the dark ocean depths?

Bioluminescence, the production and emission of light by living organisms, is widespread in the deep sea and has a variety of functions for marine creatures such as anglerfish and lanternfish. In the dark ocean depths, bioluminescence is used for communication, camouflage, and predation.

Anglerfish are well-known for their use of bioluminescence to attract prey. The female anglerfish has a lure that emits light to attract small fish and shrimp, which the anglerfish then captures with its sharp teeth. The light is produced by bioluminescent bacteria that live on the lure.

Lanternfish also use bioluminescence for predation and to avoid being eaten. They have light-producing organs on their undersides that emit light in patterns to camouflage themselves from predators below or to attract prey from above. In addition, they use their bioluminescence to communicate with each other and to attract mates during reproduction.

The mechanism of bioluminescence involves an enzyme called luciferase, which catalyzes the reaction between a substrate called luciferin and oxygen, resulting in the emission of light. Different organisms use different luciferins and luciferases to produce a range of colors and intensities of light.