A method for high-resolution bioluminescent signal analysis using a novel instrument: Application to cnidarians and dinoflagellates

Bioluminescence is a widespread and ecologically significant phenomenon in marine ecosystems, yet it remains poorly characterized in many taxa due to the lack of observations and technical limitations. This study presents a high-resolution methodological framework for detecting and analyzing bioluminescent emissions using a compact, fast, and sensitive instrument (Biosealight). The method combines mechanical stimulation under controlled laboratory conditions with automated signal processing, including flash segmentation and asymmetric Gaussian peak decomposition, to extract detailed temporal and structural characteristics of light emissions. The framework was applied to three benthic cnidarian species ( Pennatula rubra , Pteroides griseum and Veretillum cynomorium ) and to one planktonic dinoflagellate ( Pyrocystis fusiformis ). These contrasting systems enabled evaluation of the method across a wide range of flash morphologies. The analyzes highlighted consistent group-level differences in flash complexity (flash peak number, inter-peak time interval) and peak dynamics (width, rising time, decay time), with cnidarians displaying fewer, broader peaks and dinoflagellates exhibiting rapid multi-peak emission patterns. Principal component analysis showed that temporal and structural characteristics were sufficient to distinguish broad taxonomic groups within this dataset and under a common acquisition protocol, even when intensity-based metrics are excluded. This work explores the potential of using high-resolution temporal analysis to characterize bioluminescent emissions and to separate major functional groups in a controlled context. While not intended for species-level identification or for direct in situ application, the methodology may provide a foundation for developing future autonomous tools for ecological monitoring and bioluminescence-based biodiversity assessment.