Species abundance, sexual encounter and bioluminescent signalling in the deep sea.

The problems faced by deep-sea animals in achieving sexual and other encounters require sensory and effector systems the synergy of which can span the often very substantial distances that separate individuals. Bioluminescent systems provide one of the links between individuals, and the sexual dimorphism of some photophores suggests that they are employed to attract a mate. However, nearest-neighbour values for many deep-sea animals put them beyond the effective range of bioluminescent signals and it is therefore likely that these signals are employed at intermediate ranges, once an initial contact (perhaps olfactory) has been made.