Adaptation
Enypniastes eximia is a very small organism with a gelatinous
bodies that allows them to move freely and effortlessly in the
deep sea. These creatures use 12 appendages accompanied by a
webbed skirt-like structure to propel themselves to and from the
ocean floor (Ohta, 1985). These structures function by using
different positions and movements to accomplish a seemingly
graceful movement. Fanning of the skirt-like structure allows
this creature to use its body as a parachute to slowly descend
to the ocean floor (Ohta, 1985). On the ocean floor, E. eximia
feed on sediments and secrete waste material. It has both a
mouth and anus to obtain, digest, and excrete food.
When not on the ocean floor, the organism spends most of its
time in midwater. According to Robinson, E. eximia are one of the
sea creatures that utilize bioluminescence (2004).
Bioluminescence is used for many reasons including vision in the
dark and predator warning. This particular organism uses the
trait to identify potential predators. The glow begins with any
mechanical stimuli, and the more intense the bump the more
significant its effects are. If a predator comes into contact
with this organism, its bioluminescent skin begins to glow and
gets sloughed off from the impact and sticks to its predator
(Robison, 2004). The glowing parts of skin sticking to the
predator allows time for escape and distracts the predator.
Mechanisms like this save the organism from definite danger from
even its large predators. Check out a video of this defense
mechanism
here!
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