Photophore

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For other uses, see Photophore (disambiguation).

Ventral view of the mantle cavity of Rondeletiola minor. A circular organ of fused photophores is highlighted in blue.

A photophore is a light-emitting organ which appears as luminous spots on various marine animals, including fish and cephalopods. The organ can be simple, or as complex as the human eye; equipped with lenses, shutters, color filters and reflectors [1]. The light can be produced from compounds during the digestion of prey, from specialized mitochondrial cells in the organism, called photocytes ("light producing" cells) , or, similarly, associated with symbiotic bacteria in the organism that is cultured.

The character of photophores is important in the identification of benthic fishes.

Photophores on fish are used mainly for attracting food or confusing predators.

Photophores are also on some cephalopods, most notably the Firefly Squid (also known as the Sparkling Enope Squid) which can create large light displays.

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Photo, diagram and description of a cephalopod photophore

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Other	Aptychus Chromatophore Funnel–mantle locking apparatus Hyponome Paralarva Photophore Squid giant axon Squid giant synapse

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Aquatic ecosystems – marine components

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v d e Fish

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Anatomy	Fish anatomy Ampullae of Lorenzini Anguilliformity Barbel Dorsal fin Electroreception Swim bladder Gill Gill slit Glossohyal Hyomandibula Lateral line Leydig's organ Mauthner cell Operculum Pharyngeal teeth Photophore Pseudobranch Shark cartilage Shark tooth Scales Vision Weberian apparatus Digital Library

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Photophore

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