New Study Reveals Anglerfish Lures Evolved for Both Hunting and Mating Communication

A study published March 27 in Ichthyology & Herpetology reveals anglerfish lures evolved as multi-functional tools for both attracting prey and communicating with mates in deep ocean darkness. Researchers Alex Maile from the University of Kansas and Matthew Davis from St. Cloud State University analyzed over 100 species using preserved specimens from museums in the United States, Australia, and France. Their evolutionary family tree shows lures first appeared about 72 million years ago as simple moving appendages. Between 23 and 34 million years ago, deep-sea species developed bioluminescent lures that grew longer to project light while hiding the fish. Chemical-emitting lures evolved independently in batfishes around 49 million years ago and frogfishes approximately 5 million years ago. Batfishes deploy chemical lures like slide whistles to expose buried invertebrates on sandy ocean floors, while frogfishes secrete chemicals while swimming to ambush prey. The research suggests glowing lures help anglerfish thrive in extreme depths up to 13,200 feet by serving dual purposes of feeding and reproduction. Marine ecologist Tracey Sutton of Nova Southeastern University, not involved in the study, called this an elegant solution to survival challenges. Future research will explore specific bioluminescent patterns females might use and how males detect these signals.