Chapters authored
Bioluminescence of the Black Sea Ctenophores-Aliens as an Index of their Physiological State
Three experiment series on the ctenophores Mnemiopsis leidyi and Beroe ovata bioluminescence variability investigation were conducted: (1) depending on ctenophores size and ontogeny stage; (2) depending on temperature conditions and (3) depending on season. The ctenophores luminescence was registered using the laboratory complex “Svet” by methods of mechanical and chemical stimulation. Ctenophores light‐emission characteristics are changing in the process of ontogenesis and rising proportionally to the organism mass growth. Seasonal dynamics of the ctenophore‐aliens light‐emission characteristics has been revealed: the highest indices of M. leidyi and B. ovata bioluminescence are observed in the summer period and minimal indices for both species were registered in the winter‐spring period. Environment temperature affects considerably at the amplitude‐temporal characteristics of the ctenophores light‐emission. The bioluminescence reaction optimum for M. leidyi is achieved under the temperature of 26 ± 1°C, and for B. ovate—under the temperature of 22 ± 1°C, while its minimum for both ctenophores was registered under the temperature of 10 ± 1°C. Thus, results of the investigations have detected the opportunity to use ctenophores M. leidyi and B. ovata light‐emission characteristics as an index for their physiological state estimation.
Part of the book: Luminescence