From sea to shining sea... but they didn't expect it to shine like this!
I've been wondering what this thing was for quite a while now and thanks to RR Helm at Deep Sea News, I finally know. At last!
It's a Sea Sapphire, a Copepod just a few millimetres long which belongs to the genus Sapphirina. Copepods are those tiny crustaceans who drift on the currents and, through sheer weight of numbers, become a significant part of the diet of such giant filter feeders as the Whale Shark and the Manta Ray.
![]() |
Image: JesseClaggett Female with sacks of eggs |
Video: liquidguru
It's only the males who sparkle and they're free-swimming so they can travel around to show it off. You wouldn't think it to look at them, but they're almost completely transparent! Their startling sparkling isn't a result of luminescence, either. Rather it's a fine example of structural colouration, where colour comes from light interacting with the physical structure of a surface.
Sea Sapphires are covered in layers of tiny crystals that only reflect light within a narrow range of wavelengths. In this case, the blue bit! It means they glisten with wonderful iridescence when light strikes them from a certain angle, and all but disappear when viewed from another angle.
Different species reflect different colours. Coupled with their well-developed eyes and it seems likely their beautiful glow is a beacon of love by which amorous Copepods seek out their sweethearts in the vast seas. Perhaps a crystal-lit dinner is on the cards?
9 comments:
wow! quite the color!
It's stupendous!
Wow those are mesmerizing! They're so heautiful
Yes! Amazing stuff!
It is important for cultural studies coursework writing service students to seek Cultural Studies Writing Services from a reputable cultural studies assignment writing service provider for their cultural studies research paper services.
Business coursework writing services are essential for business assignment writing services and Business Essay Writing Services seekers.
Thank you for sharing this useful material. The information you have mentioned here will be useful. I would like to share with you all one useful source https://mid-terms.com/answer-my-test-questions/ which might be interesting for you as well.
The information you are providing that is really good. Thank for making and spending your precious time for this useful information. Thanks again and keep it up. https://www.akgvg.com
I like to learn something new for myself. Your blog is interesting to me. I am very glad to have visited it. I use nursing essay writing often. It allows me to be a good student.
Post a comment