#firefly squids

[aquqyoseaslug]

watasenia scintillians

aka firefly squid or hotaru- ika

found in japanese shores during the spring during spawning but live 200 to 400 meters in the depth of the ocean

it is a bioluminescent species

it is polyandrous, meaning female squids mate with different males

^° this squid actively hunts its food which is copecods or fish°^

[primrosehurticane]

Bioluminescent algae are a group of tiny marine organisms that can produce an ethereal glow in the dark.

The algae's bioluminescent glow is a natural defense mechanism; light flashes occur when the algae’s environment is disturbed. Single-cell algae called dinoflagellates are almost always behind this kind of surface luminescence.

What Is Bioluminescence?

Bioluminescence is light produced by a chemical reaction in a living organism. It's found in several marine animals, from bacteria and jellyfish to crustaceans and starfish.

The chemical reaction responsible for this light energy has to do with a luciferin molecule, which produces light from the organism’s body when it reacts with oxygen. While there are different types of luciferins depending on the animal, some species also produce a catalyst called luciferase that helps speed up the chemical reaction.

 Bioluminescence is typically blue but can also be [green more commonly, as this color and blue are more common] yellow, purple, or red. In the deep sea, bioluminescence is used as an advantage to help organisms find food, assist in reproduction, or, as is the case with bioluminescent algae, serve as a defense. Bioluminescence isn’t reserved for marine life by any means, either. Fireflies are probably the most well-recognized organisms that use bioluminescence, to warn off predators and attract mates.

The bioluminescent color produced by this chemical reaction is a result of the specific arrangement of luciferin molecules. Dinoflagellates produce their blue light using a luciferin-luciferase reaction, which is related to the chlorophyll chemical found in plants. The chemical reaction occurs between the luciferase enzyme catalyst and oxygen when the algae are jostled while suspended in water. Oxygen oxidizes the luciferin molecules, while luciferase accelerates the reaction and releases excess energy as light without generating heat. The light’s intensity, frequency, duration, and color vary depending on the species.

In the summer months, for example, Taiwan's Matsu Islands produce large amounts of bioluminescent algae known as “blue tears.” Studies have found that toxic algae blooms in the East China Sea are growing bigger every day. In 2019, scientists connected the blue tears phenomenon to poisoned sea life as the algae release ammonia and other chemicals as they feed. Destructive algae were found as far as 300 kilometers offshore, suggesting the blooms are spreading. 

Not all algal blooms are harmful. In fact, many species (there are thousands) are beneficial to their ecosystems. They are only considered harmful if they produce toxins or suck up all the oxygen in water, smothering aquatic plants and animals as a result. Research indicates that the types of algal blooms that are harmful are increasingly common.7

Some places known for their glowing conditions can't attribute algae as the cause, such as the famed Toyama Bay in Japan; the water here gets its glow from phosphorescent creatures called firefly squids, which flock to the bay during the summer to breed.

--(https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-bioluminescent-algae-5116972)

[sarahmackattack]

Inject a little science into your Valentines Day with LOVE BUGS valentines!

GET 'EM HERE!

I really love putting science into things people are already doing. Each of these cards has a fact about the animal AND something you can do to HELP the animal. Let's care for our native insects! We love biodiversity!

(I also love getting snail mail. It's just a delight.)

Send these with your kid to school for valentines day exchanges, send them to your friends, bring them to work to bring a little joy (and science!) to the office.

They were designed by Michele Scott in Philly, and printed & packed here at Skype a Scientist HQ (also in Philly).

All sales support science education nonprofit Skype a Scientist!

Tell your friends. Get some Love bugs.

[pteropodhair]

Blu doodle

[ehrenenglish]

Three of my recent cephalopod paintings, in order of creation. Nautilus on blank skateboard, Kraken on wood panel, Japanese Firefly Squid on blank skateboard.

[wildkratts-screenshots]

Backgrounds!

[rassicas]

I just learned that the JP name of tide goes out is スミソアエの夜. Is there a pun here that I'm missing? why is it Vinagared Miso??? Very confused about it since トキメキ☆ボムラッシュ is pretty direct.

(スミソアエの夜=Night Dressed with Vinegared Miso) I think its a reference to the firefly squids of Toyama bay.

Marie's JP name is Hotaru, in reference to hotaru ika, or firefly squid. on spring nights in Toyama bay, millions of firefly squids come up from the depths to breed, and people start dropping nets for some squid dinnar 🔥🔥🔥🔥

freshly caught firefly squid with a sauce of vinegared miso is a local specialty of Toyama. So catching firefly (hotaru) squids at night and putting vinegared miso sauce on them = スミソアエの夜 ! As for the english name, my best guess is that it has to do how with how the squid get very close to shore, and get washed up when....the tide goes out. It works considering the specific vinegared miso reference isnt well known outside of japan.

[mocha-illustrates]

[ID: The first image is a digital sketch of Y/N holding Sea Butterfly!Sun in a large fishing net. Y/N stands to the right of Sun wearing a wetsuit. They are facing slightly right, with their right hand on their hip and the other hand supporting the handle of the net that rests over their shoulder. They are looking back at Sun with an amused smirk. To the left of them, Sun is slightly larger than human-sized. His whole body is inside the net besides his arms and head which are leaning onto the handle of the net. The net bends with his weight, and his crossed arms cradle his head as he looks at Y/N with an amused smile. The lineart is orange and the background is white. The artist’s signature in the bottom left follows the curve of the net and reads, “MOCHA ILLUSTRATES”.  The second image is a digital sketch of Y/N holding Firefly Squid!Moon in a large fishing net. Y/N stands to the left of Moon wearing a wetsuit. They are facing slightly left and are looking down curiously at Moon in the net. They have their hands up as they hoist the handle of the net above their head to hold Moon up. To their right, Moon is slightly larger than human-sized. He is upside and his tentacles are spilling out over the rim of the net. His arms are cradling his head as he looks up at Y/N with an annoyed expression. The lineart is blue and the background is white. The artist's signature in the bottom right follows the curve of the net and reads, “MOCHA ILLUSTRATES”. END ID.]

taking a break from drawing fish to draw more fish

anyway here are some quick sketches of my mer boys at their original sizes (?) I may ink and render these later but no promises <3

[shadzytarts]

Artfight attack on @mocha-illustrates ! I adore these lil guys I've wanted ta doodle them for a while dvgshak

[dailycephalopods]

have you posted firefly squid yet?

Daily Cephalopod #162

[flingza-roller]

firefly squids or something idk

[entguarde]

Who’s to say marine animals don’t follow their schedules in the Ethersea? Maybe they serve as a reminder of the seasons to the residents of Founder’s Wake.

[ID: A traditional marker sketch of Zoox Anthellae surrounded by firefly squids. He is a Brinarr: an armored construct made out of coral. He is wearing a cloak made from fish hide and an old diver’s helmet with staghorn coral growing from the sides and top.

Zoox looks up to the squids in wonder, gently holding his arms up almost as if he wants to hold them.]

[plaguedogs123]

More Gorai 💙💚

[makofinz]

firefly squid!! like me!!! like meee!!! ^_^ im a firefly squid if u didnt know…. ik for a fact the tentacle # is wrong but some r like behind it or something u need to trust

[pteropodhair]

Colored pieces

I don’t think I’ve ever posted grandfest Marie before this lol

[plzgimmethecheeseman]

Fanart for @fallingstarsandthemoon ‘s Shady Oaks AU!! I can’t wait to see where this au goes, I’m so hyped

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•(also I really wanna see Dans and squids dynamic unfold 🐁)

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