The presence of lateral photophores correlates with increased speciation in deep-sea bioluminescent sharks

Abstract

The vast majority of species within the lanternshark genus Etmopterusharbour complex luminescent markings on their flanks, whose functional significance has long remained obscure. Recent studies, however, suggest these enigmatic photophore aggregations to play a role in intraspecific communication. Using visual modelling based on in vivo luminescence measurements from a common lanternshark species, we show that etmopterid flank markings can potentially work as a medium range signal for intraspecific detection/recognition.