luminous animal; bioluminescent animal
Refers to animals that produce light, such as fireflies or deep-sea creatures. Often used in biological or popular science contexts.
Many luminous animals live in the deep sea.
Fireflies are a typical luminous animal.
発光 is the general term for luminescence or light emission, while 発光動物 specifically refers to animals that exhibit this property.
Compound of 発光 (はっこう, 'luminescence') and 動物 (どうぶつ, 'animal').