LUMINESCENT PROPERTIES OF FISHES FROM NEARSHORE CALIFORNIA BASINS

Bioluminescence flash kinetics and quantum emissions of specimens of 1 0 species of fishes from the families Astronesthidae, Malacosteidae, M elanostomiatidae, Myctophidae, Stomiatidae and Sternoptychidae were de termined. Fish were collected from the San Clemente and Santa Catalina basins of the Southern Californian Eight. Body photophores emitted lo ng-lasting glows with peak photon fluxes to 3.0 x 10(10) photons . s(- 1). Caudal luminescent tissues exhibited both discrete flashes and spo ntaneous trains up to 30 Hz with average flash duration from 43 to 79 ms and peak photon fluxes of 2.2 x 10(12) photons . s(-1). Orbital pho tophore displays persisted up to 1415 ms with a maximum emission rate of 1 Hz and a maximum photon flux of 7.5 x 10(11) photons . s(-1). The flash kinetics and quantum intensity of the oral light organs from St ernoptyx diaphana Hermann are quantified for the first time. The flash durations of myctophid caudal organs were significantly shorter compa red with congeners from Hawaiian waters, indicating that regional envi ronmental conditions may account for shorter flash duration. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.