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Bioluminescence in the brittlestar Amphipholis squamata (Echinodermata): An overview Dimitri D. Deheyn* Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0202, USA      *(ddeheyn@ucsd.edu) The bright bioluminescence of brittlestars, cosmopolitan members of all benthic habitats, is associated with a defense function. In the last decade, morphological, neurophysiological, and ecophysiological aspects of brittlestar bioluminescence have been intensely investigated by two Belgian teams of scientists, using as a model the small cosmopolitan species Amphipholis squamata. These studies have included the ultrastructure of photogenic areas and isolated photocytes, nervous control of light production, and signal transduction pathways. Light production is triggered by the presence of potential predators, and depends on biological factors such as brooding and parasitism, as well as environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, and photoperiod. The bioluminescence of field-collected individuals is correlated with pigmentation, ambient light intensity and heavy metal concentration. The present contribution gives an overview of the current state of knowledge of A. squamata as a context for future studies of luminescent brittlestars. [Talk: deheyn.dimitr.64291]

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