Research into bioluminescence of the Black Sea ctenophores Pleurobrachia pileus O.F. Müller, 1776.

The work presents the findings of the laboratory and in situ studies of ctenophore Pleurobrachia pileus O.F. Müller, 1776 which have shown that this species has bioluminescent properties. These organisms were considered non-luminous before. P. pileus bioluminescence was studied on board RV Professor Vodyanitsky during its 116th voyage. Sampling live organisms was preceded by probing with the Salpa MA+ probe to register the daily maximum glow in redoxcline, which in this zone was recorded, as a rule, in the depth range of 60-70 m, where dense clusters of P. pileus were formed at that time. The samples of ctenophores were taken by a Bogorov-Rass plankton net. After the net was closed, it was lifted to the surface at a speed of 0.4-0.5 m s . It was shown that only at a temperature not exceeding 14°C, the P. pileus remained alive for 2-3 days. The data provided indicate that the temperature above 14°C is close to the maximum permissible for P. pileus; therefore, chemical and mechanical stimulation experiments were carried out at this temperature (14°C) to agitate ctenophores luminescence. Though, the nature of their signal was significantly different. The total percentage of luminous organisms from the entire catch was 32.43%, which unequivocally proves that P. pileus glows and makes a significant contribution to the intensity of the glow at great depths in redoxcline.