Tree of Life

The Slimy Flasher

Scientists working on the bioluminescent snail Hinea brasiliana have recently published papers describing how the shell of this creature amplifies the glow and creates a beacon used to scare/distract predators. It is also thought to act in defence, attract bigger predators to deal with the snails bullies. The scientists found that the shell is colour specific, only amplifying the colour specific to the snail.

Glow in the dark snails!? I want one =)

Bioluminescent snails, Hinea brasiliana (Image: Dimitri Deheyn, Scripps Institution of Oceanography)

Normally Yellow and Opague the shell lights up green in defence.


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