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Because it is observed in organisms that are not closely related, biofluorescence is thought to have emerged independently about 100 times in nature.

Findings

Additional insights we found via American Museum of Natural History

  1. Studies show biofluorescence—the ability to re-emit absorbed light at a different wavelength using specialized molecules—first emerged in eels about 112 million years ago.

  2. Research suggests that the rate of biofluorescence evolution among organisms is 10 times higher in species that live on coral reefs than in those that do not, indicating that coral reefs may have "facilitated the diversification of fluorescence."

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