A photo open source American researcher found a turtle that can glow in the dark in red and green. More precisely, scientists knew about this rare form of turtles before, however only now this amazing property of the reptile was discovered. A rare carapace inhabits the Solomon Islands in the Pacific the ocean.
The only luminous turtle on the planet was a reptile bissa, which is also the only representative of the genus Eretmochelys. Currently, this type of turtles, unfortunately, is on the verge of extinction. As mentioned above, biologists have long been the existence of this animal is known, however unique the ability of the turtle was a real surprise for researchers. It turned out that bisse is capable of absorbing and reflecting light. Like biofluorescence properties are known to have some stingrays, bony fish, rotonogs and sharks.
This discovery, like many others, was made completely suddenly. American biologist David Gruber wanted conduct underwater surveys of biofluorescent coral reefs and sharks. For this, the scientist took a special camera with a flashlight and made a series of dives at night. During one of them, an American noticed amazing creature resembling an apparently interplanetary ship with lots of green and red flickering lights. Researcher is not without he swam closer and was surprised to understand that it glows on in depth the tortoise shell. Undoubtedly, the scientist did not fail capture the reptile on the camera – you can see it on the video below.
Gruber and his colleagues are currently trying determine why evolution has awarded the turtle biofluorescence. Scientists suggest that such a property may serve to attract prey or, on the contrary, scaring off enemies. Turtles probably can “communicate” through light signals. Besides addition, the ability to glow perhaps allows reptiles disguise – for example, a green glow can hide turtles among biofluorescent corals.
It is worth noting that over the past few decades the Byss tortoise population declined by almost ninety percent. The local indigenous people are to blame, including eggs reptiles are considered a great delicacy. The turtles themselves are also being killed. because of their meat and shell.
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