A Mystery solved? Why Does Coral Glow?

According to Dr. Or Ben-Zvi, Yoav Lindemann, and Dr. Gal Eyal,

"The ability of aquatic organisms to glow has long attracted both scientists and those who love nature. The biological role of the phenomena, which occurs often in corals that produce reefs, has been fiercely disputed.

A variety of possibilities have been explored over the years, including: Does this phenomenon defend against radiation? improve photosynthesis? an antioxidant activity?

According to the most recent research, coral fluorescence actually serves as a lure for prey. In the study, the researchers put their hypothesis to the test to this end, they first sought to determine whether plankton (small organisms that drift in the sea along with the current) are attracted to fluorescence, both in the laboratory and at sea.

Then, in the lab, the researchers quantified the predatory capabilities of mesophotic corals (corals that live between the shallow coral reef area and the deep, completely dark zone of the ocean), which exhibit different fluorescent appearances."