Location
Solomon Islands
Partners
American Museum of Natural History
David Gruber
Release Date
Fall 2013
Location
Solomon Islands
Partners
American Museum of Natural History
David Gruber
Release Date
Fall 2013
A mission to discover new biofluorescent and bioluminescent species in the Solomon Islands.
Mission Overview
Our Objectives
The primary objectives of this multidisciplinary investigation were to: 1) conduct a comprehensive taxonomic survey of biofluorescence and bioluminescence in marine organisms, 2) plot the distribution of biofluorescence in fishes in a phylogenetic context, 3) record emission spectra for all biofluorescent marine species and, 4) investigate the evolution and diversification of biofluorescent patterns and emission spectra in five disparate clades of marine fishes (eels, lizardfishes, scorpionfishes, blennies, and flatfishes) in which our preliminary data shows the phenomenon to be taxonomically widespread and fluorescent emission patterns diverse and interspecifically variable.
Our Findings
Over 180 Species Discovered
This expedition led to the remarkable discovery of over 180 new species of biofluorescent fish. The scientific team also discovered and filmed the largest aggregation of flashlight fish ever observed, and determined how they use bioluminescence to school.