In the depths of the ocean, where sunlight cannot penetrate, many animals have evolved the ability to emit light. Fireflies and deep-sea anglerfish are well-known examples of bioluminescent creatures. However, a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B reveals that deep-sea corals may have been the first animals to possess this glowing ability, more than 540 million years ago.
The study’s authors analyzed genetic data from 185 species of luminous coral to construct an evolutionary tree. They discovered that the common ancestor of all soft corals today lived 540 million years ago and likely had the capacity to glow. This finding significantly predates the previously known earliest example of bioluminescence in a glowing prehistoric shrimp.
The researchers believe that light production may have played a crucial role in the evolution of coral species. Many deep-sea soft coral species light up briefly when physically stimulated, potentially as a way to attract or repel other organisms.
The study’s findings also coincide with the Cambrian explosion, a period of rapid diversification of life on Earth. The researchers speculate that the novel trait of bioluminescence may have provided a survival advantage to certain species, allowing them to thrive and pass down this ability to their descendants.
This discovery sheds new light on the origins of bioluminescence and adds to our understanding of the evolution of marine life in the deep sea.
