Field evidence for bioluminescent signaling in the pony fish, Leiognathus elongatus

Luminescence of the pony fish, Leiognathus elongatus, was observed in the natural environment during nighttime diving. The light was emitted from the lateroventral portion of the body, as bright rectangular-shaped luminescence patches turned on and off periodically. Luminescent fish had a distinct clear patch on the flank through which light was emitted, whereas non-luminous fish did not have such a clear patch. Both luminous and non-luminous fish were found within a shoal, where non-luminous individuals were chased by luminous ones. From previous morphological studies, the luminous and non-luminous individuals are likely to be male and female, respectively. Our observations provide field evidence that the luminescence functions as intraspecific communications in L. elongatus.