@The Japan Times: These glowing lifeforms are “umi-hotaru” (sea fireflies). But though they’re cal…

These glowing lifeforms are “umi-hotaru” (sea fireflies). But though they’re called “fireflies” they’re unlike their terrestrial cousins. These are ostracods — a kind of micro-crustacean known as “seed shrimp” that emit light using the organic compound luciferase. http://jtim.es/eFam304LDTp (Photos by Trevor Williams, Tim Cleminson and Jonathan Galione) #japan #okayama #hotaru #bioluminescence #海ほたる #sealife #ocean