Glowing sea creatures to distract enemies

Scientists have recently discovered a number of special seaworm species. They can secrete bubbles-like objects with brilliant colors at night, helping to distract predators.

Thanks to the use of seabed robots, researchers have discovered seven new species of burning worms that they have never seen before. 5 of these seem to emit colorful objects to deceive predatory fish.

"It's interesting to see this creature and know that it's different from the species we've seen so much before ," said lead researcher Karen Osborn of Scripps Oceanographic Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif. . Perhaps those secreted objects were used as a trap to escape the predator. '

According to Osborn, the use of a procedure to remove a part of the body to escape an enemy is rare, but it is not yet known. Some squid and starfish have also been mentioned because they use the same trick to avoid being eaten by predators.

Recently scientists have discovered some special seaworm species.They have the ability to secrete vibrant, bubble-like objects at night to distract predators, some of which are seen near the fringe at on their heads.(Photo: © 2001 SHD Haddock)

In this case, bubble bombs appear to be made up of modified gills and they only glow to attract the enemy when separated from the worm's body.

Scientists have given this new species the name 'Swimna bombiviridis' (' swimna means good swimmers, and 'bombiviridis' is known as' green bomber plane'). They announced their findings in August in the 'Science' publication No. 20.

These swimmers use these hard-toothed feathers as a paddle to push them away in the water.Most species in the group live at a depth of about 3,000m although there are also a few species residing just 1.900m above the water surface .

At this depth, the ocean is completely cold and dark, except for the special glow of a living creature. The ability to glow in the dark is called'bioluminescence ', and for animals living in this sea area this ability is quite common. Bioluminescence is sometimes used to communicate between individuals of a good species to attract attention.

The transparent body of the worm Swima bombiviridis allows internal anatomical examination without surgery.The purple arrow is the luminescent substance emitted from the organism's body.(Photo: © 2009 Karen J. Osborn)

Osborn and his colleagues discovered the species 'Swimna bombiviridis' in the waters around the Philippine Islands and the waters near the western islands of the United States and Mexico.

When Osborn interviewed, Osborn said: 'In places we observe, they have a lot in common. We really believe that if there is a diving ship to explore many other areas we will be able to find more species of this worm. '

In fact, there are many undiscovered ocean creatures and Osborn's team almost discovered a few more species after every dive into the sea.
Osborn: 'It is wonderful to observe them, but we really feel confused because approximately half of them are never described so we have to choose certain types to observe and observe. special mind. '

Scientists are anxious to learn about new species, especially those at risk of being threatened by climate and constantly changing environmental conditions.

Osborn said: 'The difference of this whole new creature group is a good example of what we missed when studying the deep sea. When biodiversity is threatened, it will be a great pity if we cannot discover what once existed before they disappeared. '