Red fluorescing feather star climbing over a stony coral, photographed at night using blue coloured flashlight and a yellow filter. Blue light excites
Red fluorescing feather star climbing over a stony coral, photographed at night using blue coloured flashlight and a yellow filter. Blue light excites pigments within some underwater organisms causing them to emit a fluorescent glow. Corals and other invertebrates also harbour symbiotic algae which require light to photosynthesize and produce nutrients. It is thought that in shallower waters, the fluorescent pigments in such organisms act as a sunscreen that prevents too much ultraviolet light damaging the algae. In deeper waters and lower light levels, it is thought that the fluorescent pigments absorb ultraviolet light and emit it at a wavelength which promotes photosynthesis in the algae. This image is part of a series showing the identical specimen in white light and blue light. Photographed in the Red Sea, Egypt.
Size: 5125px × 3410px
Photo credit: © EYE OF SCIENCE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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