Yes, I checked, and it does have an urban dictionary entry…not as exciting as I had hoped!
But reality always trumps fiction!
Ever since the ‘disco clam’ was caught on camera ‘partying’ on the ocean floor, its behaviour has fascinated, and baffled, scientists.
Last year, an expert revealed that the clam’s lips are packed with ‘mirror ball’ style reflectors that help it produce its strobe light effect.
And now the same scientist has discovered this impressive light show is designed to lure prey towards the mollusc, before the clam paralyses its victim with toxic mucus.
…The disco clam is an active, filter-feeding mollusc that lives in crevices and small caves in Indo-Pacific coral reefs.
Their flashing is so bright, it had been previously thought to be the result of bioluminescence.
However, using high-powered transmission electron microscopy, Ms Dougherty discovered that the flashes are caused by specialised tissues that form a double layer, reflective to light on one side, but absorbent on the other.
When the tissue is rapidly rolled and unfurled by the clam, the reflecting light gives the appearance of flashing.
These tissues are so reflective that they can even flash using the low levels of blue light found in the caves.
Fucking amazing!
Thanks to C-90 for all the messed up Marine Bio stuff he sends me!
