Biofluorescence in Wildlife
Reiners, Bridget
Reiners, Bridget
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Abstract
The study of biofluorescence in wildlife is important for discovering which proteins and pigments permit the absorbance of high-energy lights and emit longer, lower wavelengths that allow for organisms to glow under ultraviolet light. This enables more opportunities for observing interactions between species and conservation management. It offers further development in biotechnology and medical imaging, such as cellular tagging for Alzheimer's and cancer research. However, the evolutionary origin of these fluorescent proteins and pigments are often unknown, posing a challenge to researchers determining whether the genes are ancestral or convergent. Therefore, studies have been performed that focus on the genetic coding of fluorescent proteins and pigments in organisms. These studies discuss the influence of habitats on biofluorescence (Carr et al. 2025), the use of bromo-kynurenine metabolism in sharks (Park et al. 2019), and the use of iridophores in desert geckos (Pr�tzel et al. 2021). I am presenting an infographic based on the main findings of these studies, which contribute to understanding the evolutionary, functional, and ecological roles of fluorescent proteins and pigments.
Description
Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Sophomore (Graduating in 2028)
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Type of presentation
Poster
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Program/Major
Zoology
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
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Life Science