Three new modes of luminescence in the leiognathid fish Gazza minuta: Discrete projected luminescence, ventral body flash, and buccal luminescence

Three new modes of luminescence are described for Gazza minuta (Bloch) (Perciformes: Leiognathidae) as observed in specimens collected in the Philippines in April and May, 1982: discrete projected luminescence (DPL), ventral body flash, and buccal luminescence. DPL sharply contrasts with previously reported modes of diffuse luminescence in leiognathids (counterillumination and opercular flash) in being a pair of bright collimated beams of light emanating from the fish in an anteroventral direction. The brightness, coherence, directionality, and control of DPL suggest striking similarities to luminescence in anomalopid (flashlight) and monocentrid (pinecone) fishes and perhaps in certain apogonids (cardinalfishes). The structural correlate for DPL is a small clear patch of skin lying at the posterior margin of each opercular cavity. Luminescence from the internally located light organ traverses transparent bone and translucent muscle before passing through the clear skin of the patch area. Behavioral and anatomical observations of ventral body flash and buccal luminescence are also presented. These new modes of luminescence indicate a much greater than expected diversity of luminescent behaviors in leiognathids, perhaps greater than that of any other organism yet studied. The internal location of the light organ is recognised as providing the potential for this diversity.