Is there any indication that fluorescent species are more than incidental? Can
some species "see" in the ultraviolet range?

David Kirsh
Durham, NC

On Mon, 13 Jan 2003 12:59:50 -0500 bivalve
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> There is an old record (1800's) of
> bioluminescence by an endolithic bivalve, but I
> do not recall whether this has been verified.
>
> In addition to the more normal approach of body
> bioluminescence (due in at least some cases to
> symbiotic bacteria), I believe at least one
> deepsea cephalopod has bioluminescent ink,
> presumably confusing to predators.
>
> Fluorescent patterns are quite common.  Often
> fossils will still show a color pattern under
> UV light despite looking plain white or brown
> in ordinary light.
>
>     Dr. David Campbell
>     Old Seashells
>     University of Alabama
>     Biodiversity & Systematics
>     Dept. Biological Sciences
>     Box 870345
>     Tuscaloosa, AL  35487-0345 USA
>     [log in to unmask]
>
> That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia
> of a Grand Exalted Periwinkle of the Mystic
> Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at
> Droitgate Spa
>