Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Fort Pierce, FL 34949, USA.
Science. 2010 May 7;328(5979):704-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1174269.
From bacteria to fish, a remarkable variety of marine life depends on bioluminescence (the chemical generation of light) for finding food, attracting mates, and evading predators. Disparate biochemical systems and diverse phylogenetic distribution patterns of light-emitting organisms highlight the ecological benefits of bioluminescence, with biochemical and genetic analyses providing new insights into the mechanisms of its evolution. The origins and functions of some bioluminescent systems, however, remain obscure. Here, I review recent advances in understanding bioluminescence in the ocean and highlight future research efforts that will unite molecular details with ecological and evolutionary relationships.
从细菌到鱼类，各种各样的海洋生物都依赖生物发光（化学发光）来寻找食物、吸引配偶和躲避捕食者。发光生物体不同的生化系统和多样化的系统发生分布模式突出了生物发光的生态效益，生化和遗传分析为其进化机制提供了新的见解。然而，一些生物发光系统的起源和功能仍然不清楚。在这里，我回顾了近年来对海洋生物发光的理解进展，并强调了未来将分子细节与生态和进化关系相结合的研究工作。
