Current Event-Science

Did you ever think that sharks could have the ability to glow? A study shows that Lantern Sharks have the ability to be camouflaged in the dark by using hormones and nerves to glow. This is causes by 3 different types of hormones. They are known as: Melatonin, Prolactin, and Alpha-MSH. Melatonin is an important hormone for sleep regulation for humans. It causes the long-term glowing which lasts up to a few hours, which causes camouflage in the dark trenches of the ocean. Prolactin is the hormone which produces a quicker glow. Some scientists think that this would be a form of communication, or to find a mate. The third, Alpha-MSH, is used to turn the glowing off. In some examples of smaller fish, like the Flounder, they are able to change more quickly. But with sharks, the hormones control coloration.

My opinion would probably be that this is very interesting and cool, but I just don't understand how light helps camouflage them in the dark. I also think that maybe since it camouflages them, it could possibly make them look like other animal such as a jellyfish, so it would confuse other animals. It also may be the same color as a predator for another organism. I got all this information from this site: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/49291/description/Hormones_give_lantern_sharks_the_glow

Here is a example of one Lantern Shark, known as the Velvet Belly Lantern Shark: