Bioluminescence first evolved in animals at least 540 million years ago, pushing back previous oldest dated example

Phys.org— Bioluminescence first evolved in animals at least 540 million years ago in a group of marine invertebrates called octocorals, according to the results of a new study from scientists with the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

The Independent—Bioluminescence first evolved in animals at least 540 million years ago – study. The findings push back the previous oldest dated example of the trait by nearly 300 million years.

Newsweek—This Animal Was First to Emit Light—540 Million Years Ago. The phenomenon of bioluminescence first evolved in animals at least 540 million years ago, a new study has discovered.The first animals to ever glow in this way were marine invertebrates called octocorals, the study conducted by researchers at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History reported.Bioluminescence refers to the glow that some marine organisms can produce. The glow can make these animals look like they are electrical, giving of a beautiful colored light. The phenomenon is...

ExtremeTech—Corals Evolved to Produce Light 540 Million Years Ago. Bioluminescence has existed for more than twice as long as previously believed.