Mashukova O. Bioluminescence of the Black Sea ctenophores-aliens as an index of their physiological condition

Amplitude and temporal parameters of the Black Sea ctenophores-aliens M. leidyi and B. ovata bioluminescence under the chemical and mechanical stimulation were investigated. It was shown that ctenophore light-emission characteristics are changing in the process of ontogenesis and rising proportionally to the organism mass growth. Seasonal dynamics of the ctenophore-aliens light emission characteristics has been investigated: the highest indices of M. leidyi and B. ovata bioluminescence are observed in the summer period. It was shown that the highest light emission intensity is observed at the fed ctenophore and the lowest one - under the starvation. Two peaks of their light emission daily rhythmic intensity were stated: at 01 a.m. and at 13 a.m. The minimal ctenophore light emission intensity at 10 o'clock was revealed. The bioluminescence reaction temperature optimum for M. leidyi in 26 ± 1 oС and 22 ± 1 oС for B. оvata was revealed. Light emission intensity minimum for both ctenophore species was registered under 10 ± 1 oС. It was stated that we can place the heavy metals Zn < Cu < Hg < Pb in this turn according to their growing toxic impact on the ctenophore bioluminescence. Small concentrations of copper, zinc and mercury stimulates M. leidyi and B. ovata bioluminescence and the high ones - inhibit. Ctenophore light emission inhibition was registered under the lead activity under all investigated concentrations.