Scientists have recently been studying the eyes of sharks that glow-in-the-dark. These deep-sea sharks, known as bioluminescent sharks, produce light and have unique eyes that allow them to function properly in the deep, murky waters. In hopes of furthering their understanding of how these sharks survive, Julian Partridge and her team studied the eye structures of five various bioluminescent shark species. They then compared the eyes of these sharks with the eyes of non-bioluminescent sharks. The team found that the retinas of bioluminescent sharks were lined with more light-sensitive cells. These extra cells allow the sharks to detect flickers of light in the dark, helping them communicate with each other. These sharks also have transparent spots above their eyes that help them measure how much sunlight is coming from above them. Since bioluminescent sharks have the ability to control the levels of glow they project, these transparent spots help them camouflage in with their surroundings.
I thought this article was interesting because I have always been intrigued by sharks and anything that glows-in-the-dark.
Submitted by: Kendra Schafer
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