Moller's Lanternshark

Etmopterus molleri has been theorized to use its bioluminescent properties for various behavioral purposes. Due to the scarcity of direct, active research on the species, behavioral characteristics of Etmopterus molleri are not confidently confirmed. However, multiple studies have hypothesized bioluminescence as a counter-illumination strategy. In this method, Etmopterus molleri will activate and flash its photophores to defend against predators in an aposematic fashion. Bioluminescence, if not used as a counter-illumination defense, could be used similarly for camouflage. E. molleri and other Etmopterids express their bioluminescence ventrally to camouflage, which mimic similar strategies to counter-illumination. With separate studies and sources corroborating behavioral characteristics, counter-illumination and camouflage are the most likely situations for E. mollleri's bioluminescence. Some studies name sexual selection as a possible behavioral characteristic of E. molleri. In comparison with a Kitefin shark's bioluminescent properties, E. molleri has a more widespread distribution of photophores, which would be useful in sexual selection. Although direct behavioral purposes of bioluminescence in E. molleri are still being studied, it has been proven that bioluminescence must be triggered chemically. Duchatelet, et al. …