Optical properties of the jellyfish surface above the waterline: microvillar array in pleustonic hydrozoans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The transparent jellyfish body is often difficult to see underwater, as its refractive index is similar to that of seawater, resulting in a low light reflectance on the body surface. Nevertheless, the outlines of jellyfish can be recognized by the slight reflection of light from their body surfaces. In some jellyfish species, the epidermis covering the body surface has an array of microvilli, nanostructures that can potentially reduce light reflection. However, the anti-reflective effect is minimal in water, as the difference in the refractive indices of tissue and seawater is so small that reflectance is low, even on flat surfaces. In jellyfish that have pneumatophores, structures used in floating and drifting on the sea surface, light reflection on the surface is expec

SUBMITTER: Hirose E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12406395 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature