Vibrio harveyi

Vibrio harveyi is a species of bioluminescent marine bacteria. Ecologically similar to Vibrio fischeri, V. harveryi has both a free-living form, as well a symbiotic relationship with other marine organisms. V. harveyi may be a more common cause of luminous vibriosis in commercially farmed marine invertebrates.

Based on samples taken by vessels, Vibrio harveyi is thought to be the cause of the milky seas effect, in which, during the night, a uniform white glow is emitted from the seawater. Some glows can cover nearly 6,000 square miles.

While similar to V. fisheri in many ways, the quorum sensing-based signalling system in V. harveryi appears to be significantly more diverse and complex.