From the NYT, "In 2017, two evolutionary biologists snorkeling off Panama’s coast made a dazzling discovery. Night was falling over the shallow waters of Bocas del Toro, and James Morin, an emeritus professor at Cornell University, flicked on his underwater flashlight to catch a glimpse of the seabed. Seemingly in answer, hundreds of tiny blue lights sparked to life, rippling out in waves."

Emily Lau's research on bioluminescence earned her a $20,000 Scholar Award from the P.E.O. Sisterhood. The award recognizes women doctoral students for their academic achievements and potential for positive impact on society. Lau was sponsored by Chapter OK of Santa Barbara.

To create their entrancing light displays, cypridinid ostracods expel a bit of mucus injected with an enzyme and a reactant, and then swim away from the glowing orb to repeat the act again. The result is a trail of fading ellipses, or will-o’-the-wisps hanging in the water column. And the length of each of these pulses is a major component of the courtship display. Some are quick like an old-fashioned flashbulb, said Hensley, while others linger in the water.

When you’re a firefly, finding “the one” can change the world.

Literally.  

A new study by UCSB evolutionary biologistsTodd Oakley and Emily Ellis demonstrates that for fireflies, octopuses and other animals that choose mates via bioluminescent courtship, sexual selection increases the number of species — thereby impacting global diversity. Their results appear in the journal Current Biology.