Bioluminescence of searsid fishes

Abstract

The luminescent material emitted from the post-cleithral organ of searsid fishes is in the form of granule-packed cells. From this material a partially purified extract may be prepared which shows some of the properties to be expected from a photoprotein. The purified material luminesces on treatment with hydrogen peroxide and, specifically, ferrous iron. The properties of the luminescent system appear similar to those of material isolated from the luminous polychaeteChaetopterus.