ArticlePloS one2014
The covert world of fish biofluorescence: a phylogenetically widespread and phenotypically variable phenomenon.
Article in PloS one, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 54 papers.
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Who cites it
54 citing papers in PubMed.
- Biofluorescence in polar zoarcid eelpouts: The Arctic eelpout Lycodes reticulatus (Reinhardt, 1835) and the Antarctic eelpout Pachycara brachycephalum (Pappenheim, 1912).Journal of fish biology · 2026Article
- Fluorescent emission profiles reveal interspecific differences in three Danube River Basin sturgeon species.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- UV-Induced Fluorescence in the Balance: Mate Choice and Predation Risk in the Female Ornamented Jumping Spiders.Integrative zoology · 2026Article
- Fluorescent Spider Silk: A Natural Phenomenon with Potential Applications.Journal of fluorescence · 2025Article
- Multicolor management of smart fluorescent polymeric hydrogels.Fundamental research · 2025Review
- Repeated and widespread evolution of biofluorescence in marine fishes.Nature communications · 2025Article
- Integrative phylogenomics sheds light on the diversity and evolution of fluorescence in coral-dwelling gall crabs.Proceedings. Biological sciences · 2025Article
- Does biofluorescence enhance visual signals in birds-of-paradise?Royal Society open science · 2025Article
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- Biofluorescent response in lumpfish Cyclopterus lumpus to a therapeutic stressor as assessed by hyperspectral imaging.Scientific reports · 2024Article
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- Biophosphorescence in fluorescent millipedes (Diplopoda: Xystodesmidae) and its relationships with bioluminescence.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- All-a-glow: spectral characteristics confirm widespread fluorescence for mammals.Royal Society open science · 2023Article
- Photoluminescence in mammal fur: 111 years of research.Journal of mammalogy · 2023Article
- Scorpionfish rapidly change colour in response to their background.Frontiers in zoology · 2023Article
- Biofluorescent sexual dimorphism revealed in a southern Appalachian endemic salamander, Plethodon metcalfi.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- First record of biofluorescence in lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus), a commercially farmed cleaner fish.Journal of fish biology · 2022Article
- Fluorescence and UV-visible reflectance in the fur of several Rodentia genera.Scientific reports · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
The discovery of fluorescent proteins has revolutionized experimental biology. Whereas the majority of fluorescent proteins have been identified from cnidarians, recently several fluorescent proteins have been isolated across the animal tree of life. Here we show that biofluorescence is not only phylogenetically widespread, but is also phenotypically variable across both cartilaginous and bony fishes, highlighting its evolutionary history and the possibility for discovery of numerous novel fluorescent proteins. Fish biofluorescence is especially common and morphologically variable in cryptically patterned coral-reef lineages. We identified 16 orders, 50 families, 105 genera, and more than 180 species of biofluorescent fishes. We have also reconstructed our current understanding of the phylogenetic distribution of biofluorescence for ray-finned fishes. The presence of yellow long-pass intraocular filters in many biofluorescent fish lineages and the substantive color vision capabilities of coral-reef fishes suggest that they are capable of detecting fluoresced light. We present species-specific emission patterns among closely related species, indicating that biofluorescence potentially functions in intraspecific communication and evidence that fluorescence can be used for camouflage. This research provides insight into the distribution, evolution, and phenotypic variability of biofluorescence in marine lineages and examines the role this variation may play.
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