The proteins involved in fluorescence are prized by researchers, who adapt them to light up different biological processes. In 2008 the Nobel Prize was awarded to three scientists for the discovery in jellyfish, and adaptation for research, of what is usually called G.F.P., for green fluorescent protein.

The findings also have evolutionary significance, as the authors of the paper point out.

Most of the fish species they identified are camouflaged, so they are usually nearly invisible, at least to humans. But they need to find each other, including during mating. The researchers say they think that these species can probably see fluorescence easily.