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Bioluminescent Octopod

Preview Photograph of the underside of a gelatinous octopus with a bright yellow bioluminescent ring around her mouth.
(Michael Vecchione/NOAA)

The yellow bioluminescent ring on this female octopus (Bolitaena pygmaea) may attract mates. Bioluminescence is an important adaptation that helps many deep sea animals survive in their dark world. More about deep ocean exploration can be found in our Deep Ocean Exploration section.