FLOURESCENCE RESEARCH

Principle Investigator:

Misha Matz keeps an eye on coral spawn samples on board the M/V Fling. Photo: Drinnen/FGBNMS

Dr. Mikhail "Misha" Matz
Assistant Professor, Section of Integrative Biology
University of Texas
Austin, TX
matz@mail.utexas.edu

Research Focus:

Ecology and evolution of reef color diversity and fluorescence

Summary:

Misha Matz has been studying flourescence in ocean animals since 1999 and the first thing he is careful to explain is that flourescence is NOT the same as bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is light created by a chemical reaction within an organism. Flourescence occurs when an object absorbs external light then re-emits it as a different color.

What Misha wants to know is which ocean organisms demonstrate flourescence and why. He began his studies by exploring deep ocean areas such as those around the Bahamas that were part of the Deep Scope 2005 expedition with NOAA's Ocean Explorer program. About five years ago, he also started looking at corals and other mid-water creatures. This is what brought him to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

Newly collected coral spawn samples being kept alive in plastic containers on the top deck of the boat. Photo: Drinnen/FGBNMS

By studying specific flourescent proteins in corals, Misha hopes to decipher the evolution of natural coloration in coral reefs. In other words, he wants to know why coral reefs are colorful and what maintains that color. Since coral genetics are also a part of this, Misha was happy to collect some newly released coral spawn during the 2007 mass coral spawning in the sanctuary, as well.

What tools does Misha use to get his work done? For underwater observations, he starts with a dive mask that has a built-in yellow filter. He also uses an underwater flashlight with a filter that only lets the blue light through. This combination of filtered light shining on the corals and filtered images being received by his eyes lets him see flourescence that is otherwise hidden.

Of course, when you're looking at the underwater world with filtered light through marigold-colored glasses you are likely to see flourescence in more than just corals. So, Misha is always prepared to collect small samples (with proper permits in hand) for further examination on board the boat.

A very small pelagic octopus in a glass beaker to test for flourescence. Photo: Drinnen/FGBNMS

During the September 2007 spawning cruise, the "extras" he examined included a bristle worm, various siphonophores, jellyfish and a small pelagic octopus. In fact, he set up a small "dark room" in one of the boat's heads so that the rest of us could view the fluourescence of these creatures as well. Some, like the octopus pictured on this page, did not exhibit any flourescence.

A close up view of the pelagic octopus that did not exhibit any flourescence. Photo: Drinnen/FGBNMS