Images from the DEEP

Here are some very cool images of deep sea life from the Gulf of Mexico.  Images courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2018.

Main Image is a dark ctenophore with its tentacles fully extended at approximately 1,460 meters (~4,790 feet) deep.  Although some of the light emitted from the tentacles may be bioluminescence the red and green light seen on the ctenophore is not bioluminescence.  This is simple light diffraction or scattering of light by the reflective cilia.  

Unknown squid curled in upon itself with its arms folded in what may be a defensive posture. The squid seen in this picture was described as “probably the most bizarre squid I’ve ever seen” by a cephalopod expert.