Abstract The small Hawaiian squid Euprymna scolopes and the planktonic bacterium Vibrio fischerii are partners in a rather intriguing symbiotic association. The squid harbors the bioluminescent - literally, glowing - bacteria within a small chamber on its underside, providing protection for the squid via a phenomenon known as counter-illumination. This paper provides a general survey of the symbiosis, its mechanisms and its biology and describes ongoing research into the biological system.
From the Paper "The Hawaiian islands and the waters surrounding them teem with the activities of life. Species native to Hawaii's offshore area run a veritable gamut from microscopic plankton- small, free-floating organisms, including some bacterial species- to a wealth of relatively large animal species. Even in such a biologically diverse environment, however, it is fair to say that the small squid Euprymna scolopes is, as the proverbial saying goes, the little fish in a big pond."
