Luminescence of Chauliodus photophores by electrical stimulation

Christophe, B. Baguet, F. [UCL] Maréchal, Georges [UCL]

1. Photophores isolated from living specimens of the bathypelagic fish Chauliodus sloanei emit bright flashes or luminus when they are electrically stimulated. 2. Anodic stimuli of long duration (4-8 msec) and high strength (50 V) evoke quick flashes (10-130 x 106 quanta/sec) that fuse in an erratic way when the frequency of stimuli is higher than 2/sec. 3. Anodic stimuli of short duration (1 msec) and low strength (10V) evoke slow flashes that fuse together in a "luminus" when the frequency of stimuli increases up to 4/sec. 4. The "luminus" response is characterized by a peak of light developed within 2 sec after the beginning of the electrical stimulation; afterwards, the light decreases to reach a constant level of light within about 10 sec.