Shropshire Star

New stamps capture the magic of bioluminescent species using holographic material

The set of 10 stamps features photographs of live specimens taken by scientists.

Published
Bioluminescent Life stamps (Steven Haddock/2018 United States Postal Service)

The mysterious and breathtaking world of bioluminescent life is being immortalised in a new set of stamps in the US.

Unveiled by the US Postal Service, the 10 stamps are a part of the new Bioluminescent Life Forever collection and feature photographs of live specimens that were taken by scientists.

Although the stamps don’t glow in the dark, they incorporate a holographic effect that is highly reflective in white light.

Jeffrey Williamson, executive vice president of the US Postal Service, said: “These stamps were created so that they reflect back light to mimic the effect of bioluminescence.

“Much like the magical creatures we’re celebrating today, these stamps are truly dazzling.”

Deep-ocean octopus (Stauroteuthis syrtensis)

Deep-ocean octopus.
(Edith Widder/2018 United States Postal Service)

The image appeared on the cover of Nature magazine because it proved to be an example of evolution caught in the act – showing light-emitting suckers.

Midwater jellyfish (Atolla vanhoeffeni)

Midwater jellyfish
(Edith Widder/2018 United States Postal Service)

Deep-sea comb jelly (Bathocyroe fosteri)

Deep-sea comb jelly.
(Edith Widder/2018 United States Postal Service)

Although it has a transparent body, its gut contains pigment that helps mask the light emitted by its luminescent prey.

Bamboo coral (Keratoisis flexibilis)

Bamboo coral.
(Edith Widder/2018 United States Postal Service)

Rubbing up against this coral releases large amounts of slime and has been described as lighting up “like a Christmas tree”.

Marine worm (Flota)

Marine worm.
(Edith Widder/2018 United States Postal Service)

It was collected in the Gulf of California in 2003 at a depth of 957m below sea level. This marine worm emits blue-green light.

Crown jellyfish (Atolla wyvillei)

Crown jellyfish.
(Edith Widder/2018 United States Postal Service)

Sea pen (Umbellula)

Sea pen.
(Edith Widder/2018 United States Postal Service)

Mushroom cluster (Mycena lucentipes)

Mushroom cluster.
(Taylor Lockwood/2018 United States Postal Service)

There are only about 85 of these glow-in-the-dark wonders named and recorded from around the world.

Firefly (Lampyridae)

Firefly.
(Gail Shumway/2018 United States Postal Service)

Marine worm (Tomopteris)

Marine worm.
(Steven Haddock/2018 United States Postal Service)

Unlike most animals in the ocean which emit blue or green bioluminescent light, this worm is one of the very few that glows yellow instead.

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