The Census of Marine Life: Photo of the Week – Black Dragonfish
(Click to enlarge) Census of Marine Life - Photo of the Week
This is a female black dragonfish, a deepwater predator that attracts prey with bioluminescent “lights” on its body and then snares them with its sharp teeth. In this photo provided by the Census for Marine Life, you can see it even has teeth on its tongue. Dragonfish would be terrifying animals if they weren’t the size of a banana.
Credit: Dr. Julian Finn/Museum Victoria/Census of Marine Life/AP Photo
The Census of Marine Life (CoML) is a broad global initiative that supports research at the frontiers of our oceans: the hottest undersea vents, the deepest and darkest depths, the rapidly changing poles, and the most interesting biological “hotspots.” CoML projects engage more than 2000 scientists and marine professionals from 80 countries in an initial ten-year effort to assess and explain the diversity, distribution and abundance of marine life in the world’s oceans – past, present and future.
Click here to learn more about the Census of Marine Life (CoML).
Be sure to check back each week for more incredible photos from this amazing program!
