Original Linnaean Dissertations
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Lidén Number 39
Respondent: Carl Fredric Adler (1720-1761)
Title: Noctiluca marina, ...
Date of Defense: {9} June 1752
Paginations: [iv], [1], 2-8, 1 plate
Lidén Title: Noctiluca marina.
Soulsby Title: Noctiluca
Drake Title: Noctiluca Marina.
Note: Three Strandell copies altered in ms. to {9 July} 1752.
Abstract: A report, with historical background, on the cause of phosphorescent luminescence of the sea, called "mareld" in Swedish, as seen in the wake of ships when in tropical waters, on wave crests in severe storms, or in western coastal areas in evening from August to September. Reported to be due to the minute flagellate worm, Nereis noctiluca, for which genus 11 species are described herein. Identity of the organism is reported to have been made first in 1749.