Observation at Grayton Beach Last Night -- Any Ideas?

[Smiling JOe]

BeachSi02, you mention that the glow was part of a defense mechanism. That doesn't seem to be like a stealth escape, and I would think that it would make them more likely to be seen, and eaten. Do you know how the defense system works? Does it also produce a bad taste/odor. I did notice that the beach smelled a little more fishy than usual last night.

 

[BeachSiO2]

BeachSi02, you mention that the glow was part of a defense mechanism. That doesn't seem to be like a stealth escape, and I would think that it would make them more likely to be seen, and eaten. Do you know how the defense system works? Does it also produce a bad taste/odor. I did notice that the beach smelled a little more fishy than usual last night.

No, it is only a visual deterrent.

Two primary ways. First, it is intended to scare away things that use it as a food item. Kinda like saying "boo" in a dark room. Secondly, "the experts" think it may attract larger fish to eat the dino's predators. It's just like those Sargassum mats where you see larger fish circling the mats, looking for the smaller fish. The bioluminescence serve as a neon "Eat at Joe's" (pun intended) sign for bigger fish.

 

[Andy A]

Red tide is caused by a type of dinoflagellates, but not all dinoflagellates cause red tides.

Sir or Madam, you are a wealth of information for those of us who moved here to enjoy the Emerald Coast. Thank you so much for your wonderful, informative posts

 

[BeachSiO2]

Sir or Madam, you are a wealth of information for those of us who moved here to enjoy the Emerald Coast. Thank you so much for your wonderful, informative posts

It's sir (I guess ) and thank you for your kind words.

 

[Andy A]

I mean every word. It is always a joy and revelation to read your posts. Once again, thanks and please keep them coming.

 

[JUL]

That sounds really cool. I have never seen these. And now I can't wait .

 

[lennonsdarlin]

A friend of mine that grew up in Freeport, and was a hoodlum :funn:,that now is part of WCSD,said the lakes would turn flourescent when they dug the ditches to release them into the ocean....at least 40 years ago ( before they knew better, of course)

 

[northshore]

Thanks for sharing.....would love to have seen that.

 

[Mango]

I had to look this up because I have seen it once and wondered myself. The only place else I have seen it is off Vieques where the whole bay is bioluminescent. Those are rare and only seen in Puerto Rico on the Caribbean side and a part of Jamaica. I went there to see it specifically (will never go back) It was beautiful, but I really didn't enjoy P.R.
Those dinoflagellates are called Prodinium bahamense and the ones prevalent in the Gulf are called Pyrocystis noctiluca.

Bioluminescent Plankton, Pyrocystis noctiluca
Identifiers: single-celled with paired, flagella
Status: abundant, common in Gulf of Mexico
Reproduction: by cell division
Adaptations: bioluminescent defense system
created by chemical reaction
Fun Facts: latin name = night light fire cell
exhibit limited mobility

A a marine dinoflagellate, capable of bioluminescence. During the day chloroplasts are distributed throughout the entire cell, then they migrate to the cell's center at night and create an emission (transformation of enzyme) or flashes of light. Many flashes can be generated in a single cell. In the summer P. noctiluca can undergo mass propagation (blooms). Countless light flashes from blooms make the sea glow at night. When disturbed (paddles, motors, zooplankton etc.), the plankton flash, resulting in light that deters predation from zooplankton and attracts larger predators (fish) to eat the zooplankton.

 

[jensieblue]

phospherence

In my youth, I often saw the phospheresence in the surf along the West PCB, Grayton area. I remember it would usually be evident just after dusk when water was warm. I am not a biologist so my comments are on the beauty not the biology of the phenomenon. Good to hear it still occurs. I also recall it was an infrequent phenomenon so I considered myself very lucky when trips to the shore coincided with the glow. I wonder whether or not rainfall would dilute whatever it is and reduce the glow? I also have no idea whether this occurs elsewhere. I seem to recall reading about a similar phenomenon along the Carolina coast. Enjoy...