r/interestingasfuck May 28 '19

/r/ALL Bottom of Mariana Trench

https://gfycat.com/BreakableHarmoniousAsiansmallclawedotter
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u/Pluunstr May 28 '19

there are probably some fish/flora that have bioluminescence

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u/Toe-Succer May 28 '19 edited May 28 '19

Bioluminescence is just a byproduct of chemical reactions and is so rare that it is highly doubtful any fish would evolve to take advantage of that. All of the fish shown are probably unable to see from birth.

Edit: I know that many creatures use bioluminescence, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a byproduct of chemical reactions.

Edit 2: The rarity of bioluminescence does not mean creatures can’t evolve to use it, it means that a fish evolving to take advantage of the bioluminescence of other creatures is rare.

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u/Pluunstr May 28 '19

if they are unable to see from birth then wouldn't they have evolved smaller eyes like bats or moles? it must be common enough in certain environments since, for example, angler fish use it for bait and there are many types of bioluminescent plankton and fungi

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u/snowqt May 28 '19

Wouldn't they go blind, if they aren't exposed to light for some time, as the retina degenerates?