KnowraEscaEscaThe fleshy lure at the tip of an anglerfish’s illicium. Its shape, texture, and sometimes light help attract prey.BriefConnectIllicium: The elongated modified fin ray that acts as a fishing rod in many anglerfishes. The illicium positions and moves the esca above the anglerfish’s mouth.Dorsal fin: A fin located along the back of a fish, used mainly for stability and maneuvering. The illicium and esca derive from a modified dorsal-fin ray.Photocorynus spiniceps: A deep-sea anglerfish species whose tiny males become attached to much larger females. Its female bears a luminous lure used in the deep-sea environment.Bioluminescent lure: A light-emitting structure used by an animal to attract prey or communicate. Not every esca glows, though some are specifically bioluminescent lures.Bioluminescence: The production and emission of light by living organisms through chemical reactions. Some anglerfish escas glow, making light part of their lure.Fin ray: A bony or cartilaginous support element within a fish fin. The esca sits at the end of a specialized fin ray.Frogfish: A family of shallow- and deep-water anglerfishes known for camouflage and lure-based hunting. Frogfishes use varied esca shapes to entice prey at close range.Ambush predation: A hunting strategy in which a predator waits concealed before attacking passing prey. Esca-based hunting adds active attraction to the wait-and-strike approach.Photobacterium: A genus of marine bacteria that includes species capable of producing light. Photobacterium species supply light in the esca of some deep-sea anglerfishes.Symbiosis: A close, sustained association between organisms of different species. Light-producing bacteria can live in association with an anglerfish’s esca.Show all 20Linked from 6 pagesFanfinBroader topic: This luminous tip is the part of the fanfin's lure that resembles prey.GoosefishBroader topic: Its movement attracts prey within striking distance of the goosefish’s jaws.Show all 6