The case of the green-eyed squid: Fluorescence in the deep-sea squid Histioteuthis

Scientists at MBARI recently deployed blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on our remotely operated submersibles to observe fluorescence in deep-sea animals and investigate the ecological roles of light in the deep sea. When we shined blue LEDs on the strawberry squid, Histioteuthis, we were surprised by an impressive light show. This squid has one normal-sized eye, and one extraordinarily large eye, which was brightly fluorescent, indicating the presence of a blue-absorbing fluorescent pigment. The fluorescen