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McNeil DJ, Goslee SC, Kammerer M, Lower SE, Tooker JF, Grozinger CM. Illuminating patterns of firefly abundance using citizen science data and machine learning models. Sci Total Environ 2024; 929:172329. [PMID: 38608892 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
As insect populations decline in many regions, conservation biologists are increasingly tasked with identifying factors that threaten insect species and developing effective strategies for their conservation. One insect group of global conservation concern are fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Although quantitative data on firefly populations are lacking for most species, anecdotal reports suggest that some firefly populations have declined in recent decades. Researchers have hypothesized that North American firefly populations are most threatened by habitat loss, pesticide use, and light pollution, but the importance of these factors in shaping firefly populations has not been rigorously examined at broad spatial scales. Using data from >24,000 surveys (spanning 2008-16) from the citizen science program Firefly Watch, we trained machine learning models to evaluate the relative importance of a variety of factors on bioluminescent firefly populations: pesticides, artificial lights at night, land cover, soil/topography, short-term weather, and long-term climate. Our analyses revealed that firefly abundance was driven by complex interactions among soil conditions (e.g., percent sand composition), climate/weather (e.g., growing degree days), and land cover characteristics (e.g., percent agriculture and impervious cover). Given the significant impact that climactic and weather conditions have on firefly abundance, there is a strong likelihood that firefly populations will be influenced by climate change, with some regions becoming higher quality and supporting larger firefly populations, and others potentially losing populations altogether. Collectively, our results support hypotheses related to factors threatening firefly populations, especially habitat loss, and suggest that climate change may pose a greater threat than appreciated in previous assessments. Thus, future conservation of North American firefly populations will depend upon 1) consistent and continued monitoring of populations via programs like Firefly Watch, 2) efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and 3) insect-friendly conservation practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darin J McNeil
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA.
| | - Sarah C Goslee
- United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Melanie Kammerer
- United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Sarah E Lower
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | - John F Tooker
- Department of Entomology, Insect Biodiversity Center, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Christina M Grozinger
- Department of Entomology, Insect Biodiversity Center, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Egorov LV, Ruchin A, Alekseev SK, Artaev O, Lobachev EA, Lukiyanov SV, Semishin GB. Fauna of some families of Coleoptera (Insecta) in the Republic of Mordovia (Russia). Biodivers Data J 2024; 12:e117041. [PMID: 38356964 PMCID: PMC10865228 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.12.e117041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Biodiversity conservation is an important goal of most ecosystem management efforts. Therefore, proper monitoring of biodiversity requires constant attention. Coleoptera should be monitored as an essential part of the overall biodiversity. Special monitoring is needed for families that are active as predators (e.g. Coccinellidae) or are saproxylic species (e.g. Elateridae and Cerambycidae). The aim of the research is to describe the fauna of seven families of Coleoptera (Elateridae, Drilidae, Lycidae, Lampyridae, Cantharidae, Coccinellidae and Cerambycidae) of the Republic of Mordovia (the centre of the European part of Russia). The results are based on faunistic research, the main part of which was carried out in April-October 2007-2023 and on material from museum collections. The collecting was made using several different methods (by hand, light trapping, on different lures, into pitfall traps etc.). GPS coordinates are given for each faunistic record. New information The dataset contains information on seven species new to the region: Malthodesflavoguttatus Kiesenwetter, 1852, Malthodesminimus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cantharidae); Scymnusrubromaculatus (Goeze, 1777) (Coccinellidae); Anoploderarufipesventralis Heyden, 1886, Tragosomadepsarium (Linnaeus, 1767), Xylotrechusarvicola (Olivier, 1795) and Xylotrechusibex (Gebler, 1825) (Cerambycidae).
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Affiliation(s)
- L V Egorov
- The State Nature Reserve «Prisursky», Cheboksary, Russia The State Nature Reserve «Prisursky» Cheboksary Russia
| | - Alexander Ruchin
- Joint Directorate of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park «Smolny», Saransk, Russia Joint Directorate of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park «Smolny» Saransk Russia
| | - Sergei K Alekseev
- Ecological club "Stenus", Kaluga, Russia Ecological club "Stenus" Kaluga Russia
| | - Oleg Artaev
- Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters Russian Academy of Sciences, Borok, Russia Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters Russian Academy of Sciences Borok Russia
| | - Evgeniy A Lobachev
- National Research Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russia National Research Mordovia State University Saransk Russia
| | - Sergei V Lukiyanov
- National Research Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russia National Research Mordovia State University Saransk Russia
| | - Gennadiy B Semishin
- Joint Directorate of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park «Smolny», Saransk, Russia Joint Directorate of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park «Smolny» Saransk Russia
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3
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Lewis SM, Jusoh WFA, Walker AC, Fallon CE, Joyce R, Yiu V. Illuminating Firefly Diversity: Trends, Threats and Conservation Strategies. Insects 2024; 15:71. [PMID: 38276820 PMCID: PMC10815995 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Fireflies are a diverse group of bioluminescent beetles belonging to the family Lampyridae. Recent research on their diversity, evolution, behavior and conservation has greatly advanced our scientific understanding of these charismatic insects. In this review, we first summarize new discoveries about their taxonomic and ecological diversity, then focus on recent endeavors to identify and protect threatened fireflies around the world. We outline the main threats linked to recent population declines (habitat loss and degradation, light pollution, pesticide overuse, climate change and tourism) and describe relevant risk factors that predict which species will be particularly vulnerable to these threats. Although global coordination of firefly conservation efforts has begun only recently, considerable progress has already been made. We describe work by the IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group to identify species currently facing elevated extinction risks and to devise conservation strategies to protect them. To date, IUCN Red List assessments have been completed for 150 firefly taxa, about 20% of which face heightened extinction risks. The conservation status for many species has yet to be determined due to insufficient information, although targeted surveys and community science projects have contributed valuable new data. Finally, we highlight some examples of successful firefly habitat protection and restoration efforts, and we use the framework of the IUCN SSC Species Conservation Cycle to point out high-priority actions for future firefly conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M. Lewis
- IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; (W.F.A.J.); (C.E.F.)
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Wan F. A. Jusoh
- IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; (W.F.A.J.); (C.E.F.)
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Anna C. Walker
- IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; (W.F.A.J.); (C.E.F.)
- New Mexico BioPark Society, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
| | - Candace E. Fallon
- IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; (W.F.A.J.); (C.E.F.)
- The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Portland, OR 97232, USA
| | - Richard Joyce
- IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; (W.F.A.J.); (C.E.F.)
- The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Portland, OR 97232, USA
| | - Vor Yiu
- IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; (W.F.A.J.); (C.E.F.)
- Hong Kong Entomological Society, Hong Kong, China
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4
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Moubarak EM, David Fernandes AS, Stewart AJA, Niven JE. Artificial light impairs local attraction to females in male glow-worms. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245760. [PMID: 37311409 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The negative effects of artificial lighting at night (ALAN) on insects are increasingly recognised and have been postulated as one possible cause of declines in insect populations. Yet, the behavioural mechanisms underpinning ALAN effects on insects remain unclear. ALAN interferes with the bioluminescent signal female glow-worms use to attract males, disrupting reproduction. To determine the behavioural mechanisms that underpin this effect of ALAN, we quantified the effect of white illumination on males' ability to reach a female-mimicking LED within a Y-maze. We show that as the intensity of illumination increases, the proportion of males reaching the female-mimicking LED declines. Brighter illumination also increases the time taken by males to reach the female-mimicking LED. This is a consequence of males spending more time: (i) in the central arm of the Y-maze; and (ii) with their head retracted beneath their head shield. These effects reverse rapidly when illumination is removed, suggesting that male glow-worms are averse to white light. Our results show that ALAN not only prevents male glow-worms from reaching females, but also increases the time they take to reach females and the time they spend avoiding exposure to light. This demonstrates that the impacts of ALAN on male glow-worms extend beyond those previously observed in field experiments, and raises the possibility that ALAN has similar behavioural impacts on other insect species that remain undetected in field experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle M Moubarak
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | | | - Alan J A Stewart
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Jeremy E Niven
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
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Wang TY, Goh KS, Wang LJ, Wu LL, Wang FY, Wu YW. Long-Read Genome Sequencing of Abscondita cerata (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), the Endemic Firefly of Taiwan. Zool Stud 2023; 62:e25. [PMID: 37533557 PMCID: PMC10390324 DOI: 10.6620/zs.2023.62-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Abscondita cerata is the most abundant and widely distributed endemic firefly species in Taiwan and is considered a key environmental and ecological indicator organism. In this study, we report the first long-read genome sequencing of Abs. cerata sequenced by Nanopore technology. The draft genome size, 967 Mb, was measured through a hybrid approach that consisted of assembling using 11.25-Gb Nanopore long reads and polishing using 9.47-Gb BGI PE100 short reads. The drafted genome was assembled into 4,855 contigs, with the N50 reaching 325.269 kb length. The assembled genome was predicted to possess 55,206 protein-coding genes, of which 20,862 (37.78%) were functionally annotated with public databases. 47.11% of the genome sequences consisted of repeat elements; among them DNA transposons accounted for the largest proportion (26.79%). A BUSCO (Benchmarking Universal Single Copy Orthologs) evaluation demonstrated that the genome and gene completeness were 84.8% and 79%, respectively. The phylogeny constructed using 1,792 single copy genes was consistent with previous studies. The comparative transcriptome between adult male head and lantern tissues revealed (1) the vision of Abs. cerata is primarily UV-sensitive to environmental twilight, which determines when it begins its nocturnal activity, (2) the major expressed OR56d receptor may be correlated to suitable humidity sensing, and (3) Luc1-type luciferase is responsible for Abs. cerata's luminescent spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzi-Yuan Wang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan. E-mail: (TY Wang)
| | - King-Siang Goh
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan. E-mail: (Goh)
| | - Liang-Jong Wang
- Forest Protection Division, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taipei 100, Taiwan. E-mail: (LJ Wang)
| | - Li-Ling Wu
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan. E-mail: (LL Wu)
| | - Feng-Yu Wang
- Taiwan Ocean Research Institute, National Applied Research Laboratories, Kaohsiung 852, Taiwan. E-mail: (FY Wang)
| | - Yu-Wei Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 106, Taiwan. (YW Wu)
- Clinical Big Data Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 235, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center for Digestive Medicine, Taipei Medical University Taipei 110, Taiwan
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Lower SE, Pask GM, Arriola K, Halloran S, Holmes H, Halley DC, Zheng Y, Collins DB, Millar JG. Identification of a Female-Produced Sex Attractant Pheromone of the Winter Firefly, Photinus corruscus Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). J Chem Ecol 2023; 49:164-178. [PMID: 36920582 PMCID: PMC10102081 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-023-01417-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Firefly flashes are well-known visual signals used by these insects to find, identify, and choose mates. However, many firefly species have lost the ability to produce light as adults. These "unlighted" species generally lack developed adult light organs, are diurnal rather than nocturnal, and are believed to use volatile pheromones acting over a distance to locate mates. While cuticular hydrocarbons, which may function in mate recognition at close range, have been examined for a handful of the over 2000 extant firefly species, no volatile pheromone has ever been identified. In this study, using coupled gas chromatography - electroantennographic detection, we detected a single female-emitted compound that elicited antennal responses from wild-caught male winter fireflies, Photinus corruscus. The compound was identified as (1S)-exo-3-hydroxycamphor (hydroxycamphor). In field trials at two sites across the species' eastern North American range, large numbers of male P. corruscus were attracted to synthesized hydroxycamphor, verifying its function as a volatile sex attractant pheromone. Males spent more time in contact with lures treated with synthesized hydroxycamphor than those treated with solvent only in laboratory two-choice assays. Further, using single sensillum recordings, we characterized a pheromone-sensitive odorant receptor neuron in a specific olfactory sensillum on male P. corruscus antennae and demonstrated its sensitivity to hydroxycamphor. Thus, this study has identified the first volatile pheromone and its corresponding sensory neuron for any firefly species, and provides a tool for monitoring P. corruscus populations for conservation and further inquiry into the chemical and cellular bases for sexual communication among fireflies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Lower
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, One Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA.
| | - Gregory M Pask
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, 14 Old Chapel Road, Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA
- Programs of Neuroscience and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Middlebury College, 14 Old Chapel Road, Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA
| | - Kyle Arriola
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Sean Halloran
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Hannah Holmes
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, One Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA
| | - Daphné C Halley
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, 14 Old Chapel Road, Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA
| | - Yiyu Zheng
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, One Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA
| | - Douglas B Collins
- Department of Chemistry, Bucknell University, One Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA
| | - Jocelyn G Millar
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
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Kivelä L, Elgert C, Lehtonen TK, Candolin U. The color of artificial light affects mate attraction in the common glow-worm. Sci Total Environ 2023; 857:159451. [PMID: 36252663 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night, often referred to as 'light pollution', is a global environmental problem that threatens many nocturnal organisms. One such species is the European common glow-worm (Lampyris noctiluca), in which reproduction relies on the ability of sedentary bioluminescent females to attract flying males to mate. Previous studies show that broad-spectrum white artificial light interferes with mate attraction in this beetle. However, much less is known about wavelength-specific effects. In this study, we experimentally investigate how the peak wavelength (color) of artificial light affects glow-worm mate attraction success in the field by using dummy females that trap males landing to mate. Each dummy was illuminated from above by either a blue (peak wavelength: 452 nm), white (449 nm), yellow (575 nm), or red (625 nm) LED lighting, or light switched off in the control. We estimated mate attraction success as both the probability of attracting at least one male and the number of males attracted. In both cases, mate attraction success depended on the peak wavelength of the artificial light, with short wavelengths (blue and white) decreasing it more than long wavelengths (yellow and red). Hence, adjusting the spectrum of artificial light can be an effective measure for mitigating the negative effects of light pollution on glow-worm reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea Kivelä
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palménin tie 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland.
| | - Christina Elgert
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palménin tie 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland
| | - Topi K Lehtonen
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palménin tie 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland; Natural Resources Institute, Paavo Havaksen tie 3, 90570 Oulu, Finland
| | - Ulrika Candolin
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palménin tie 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland
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Kundrata R, Hoffmannova J, Hinson KR, Keller O, Packova G. Rhagophthalmidae Olivier, 1907 (Coleoptera, Elateroidea): described genera and species, current problems, and prospects for the bioluminescent and paedomorphic beetle lineage. Zookeys 2022; 1126:55-130. [PMID: 36760860 PMCID: PMC9881481 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1126.90233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhagophthalmidae are a small beetle family known from the eastern Palaearctic and Oriental realms. Rhagophthalmidae are closely related to railroad worms (Phengodidae) and fireflies (Lampyridae) with which they share highly modified paedomorphic females and the ability to emit light. Currently, Rhagophthalmidae include 66 species classified in the following 12 genera: Bicladodrilus Pic, 1921 (two spp.), Bicladum Pic, 1921 (two spp.), Dioptoma Pascoe, 1860 (two spp.), Diplocladon Gorham, 1883 (two spp.), Dodecatoma Westwood, 1849 (eight spp.), Falsophrixothrix Pic, 1937 (six spp.), Haplocladon Gorham, 1883 (two spp.), Menghuoius Kawashima, 2000 (three spp.), Mimoochotyra Pic, 1937 (one sp.), Monodrilus Pic, 1921 (two spp. in two subgenera), Pseudothilmanus Pic, 1918 (two spp.), and Rhagophthalmus Motschulsky, 1854 (34 spp.). The replacement name Haplocladongorhami Kundrata, nom. nov. is proposed for Diplocladonhasseltii Gorham, 1883b (described in subgenus Haplocladon) which is preoccupied by Diplocladonhasseltii Gorham, 1883a. The genus Reductodrilus Pic, 1943 is tentatively placed in Lampyridae: Ototretinae. Lectotypes are designated for Pseudothilmanusalatus Pic, 1918 and P.marginalis Pic, 1918. Interestingly, in the eastern part of their distribution, Rhagophthalmidae have remained within the boundaries of the Sunda Shelf and the Philippines demarcated by the Wallace Line, which separates the Oriental and Australasian realms. This study is intended to be a first step towards a comprehensive revision of the group on both genus and species levels. Additionally, critical problems and prospects for rhagophthalmid research are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Kundrata
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 50, 77900, Olomouc, Czech RepublicPalacky UniversityOlomoucCzech Republic
| | - Johana Hoffmannova
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 50, 77900, Olomouc, Czech RepublicPalacky UniversityOlomoucCzech Republic
| | - Kevin R. Hinson
- EpiLogic GmbH Agrarbiologische Forschung und Beratung, Hohenbachernstr. 19–21, 85354, Freising, GermanyEpiLogic GmbH Agrarbiologische Forschung und BeratungFreisingGermany
| | - Oliver Keller
- Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 147100, Gainesville, FL, 32614-7100, USAFlorida Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesGainesvilleUnited States of America
| | - Gabriela Packova
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 50, 77900, Olomouc, Czech RepublicPalacky UniversityOlomoucCzech Republic
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Prischmann-Voldseth DA. Fireflies in Art: Emphasis on Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Edo, Meiji, and Taishō Periods. Insects 2022; 13:775. [PMID: 36135476 PMCID: PMC9501322 DOI: 10.3390/insects13090775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Examining how insects are represented in artwork can provide insight into people's perceptions and attitudes towards arthropods, as well as document human-insect interactions and how they change through time. Fireflies are well-known bioluminescent beetles (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) of great cultural significance, especially in Japan. A selection of online museum collections, art databases, and dealer websites were used to find artwork featuring fireflies, with an emphasis on Japanese ukiyo-e wood block prints from the Edo, Meiji, and Taishō time periods (1600-1926). Quotes from early twentieth century texts were used to provide additional historical context. Over 90 different artists created artwork featuring fireflies, including several renowned masters. Artists depicted adult fireflies in a variety of ways (e.g., relatively accurately, more generalized, symbolic or abstract, yellowish dots) in the absence and presence of people. Most images were set outdoors during the evening near water, and primarily featured women and children, groups of women, and large parties catching fireflies or observing caged fireflies. 'Beauties', geisha, courtesans, kabuki actors, and insect vendors were also common subjects. Various types of collecting tools and a diversity of cages were featured, as well as insect vendors. The artwork highlights the complex connections between fireflies and humans. Insect-related art can contribute to education and conservation efforts, particularly for dynamic insects such as fireflies that are facing global population declines.
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Owens ACS, Lewis SM. Artificial light impacts the mate success of female fireflies. R Soc Open Sci 2022; 9:220468. [PMID: 35958085 DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6125244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic light pollution is a novel environmental disruption that affects the movement, foraging and mating behaviour of nocturnal animals. Most of these effects are sublethal, and their net impact on reproductive fitness and population persistence is often extrapolated from behavioural data. Without dedicated tracking of wild individuals, however, it is impossible to predict whether populations in light-polluted habitats will decline or, instead, move to shaded refuges. To disentangle these conflicting possibilities, we investigated how artificial light affects mating and movement in North American Photinus, a genus of bioluminescent fireflies known to experience courtship failure under artificial light. The degree to which artificial light reduced mate success depended on the intensity of the light treatment, its environmental context, and the temporal niche of the species in question. In the laboratory, direct exposure to artificial light completely prevented mating in semi-nocturnal Photinus obscurellus. In the field, artificial light had little impact on the movement or mate success of local Photinus pyralis and Photinus marginellus but strongly influenced mate location in Photinus greeni; all three species are relatively crepuscular. Our nuanced results suggest greater appreciation of behavioural diversity will help insect conservationists and dark sky advocates better target efforts to protect at-risk species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avalon C S Owens
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155-5801, USA
| | - Sara M Lewis
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155-5801, USA
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11
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Owens ACS, Lewis SM. Artificial light impacts the mate success of female fireflies. R Soc Open Sci 2022; 9:220468. [PMID: 35958085 PMCID: PMC9364009 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic light pollution is a novel environmental disruption that affects the movement, foraging and mating behaviour of nocturnal animals. Most of these effects are sublethal, and their net impact on reproductive fitness and population persistence is often extrapolated from behavioural data. Without dedicated tracking of wild individuals, however, it is impossible to predict whether populations in light-polluted habitats will decline or, instead, move to shaded refuges. To disentangle these conflicting possibilities, we investigated how artificial light affects mating and movement in North American Photinus, a genus of bioluminescent fireflies known to experience courtship failure under artificial light. The degree to which artificial light reduced mate success depended on the intensity of the light treatment, its environmental context, and the temporal niche of the species in question. In the laboratory, direct exposure to artificial light completely prevented mating in semi-nocturnal Photinus obscurellus. In the field, artificial light had little impact on the movement or mate success of local Photinus pyralis and Photinus marginellus but strongly influenced mate location in Photinus greeni; all three species are relatively crepuscular. Our nuanced results suggest greater appreciation of behavioural diversity will help insect conservationists and dark sky advocates better target efforts to protect at-risk species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara M. Lewis
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155-5801, USA
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Powell GS, Saxton NA, Pacheco YM, Stanger-Hall KF, Martin GJ, Kusy D, Felipe Lima Da Silveira L, Bocak L, Branham MA, Bybee SM. Beetle bioluminescence outshines extant aerial predators. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220821. [PMID: 35855602 PMCID: PMC9297012 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We understand very little about the timing and origins of bioluminescence, particularly as a predator avoidance strategy. Understanding the timing of its origins, however, can help elucidate the evolution of this ecologically important signal. Using fireflies, a prevalent bioluminescent group where bioluminescence primarily functions as aposematic and sexual signals, we explore the origins of this signal in the context of their potential predators. Divergence time estimations were performed using genomic-scale datasets providing a robust estimate for the origin of firefly bioluminescence as both a terrestrial and as an aerial signal. Our results recover the origin of terrestrial beetle bioluminescence at 141.17 (122.63-161.17) Ma and firefly aerial bioluminescence at 133.18 (117.86-152.47) Ma using a large dataset focused on Lampyridae; and terrestrial bioluminescence at 148.03 (130.12-166.80) Ma, with the age of aerial bioluminescence at 104.97 (99.00-120.90) Ma using a complementary Elateroidea dataset. These ages pre-date the origins of all known extant aerial predators (i.e. bats and birds) and support much older terrestrial predators (assassin bugs, frogs, ground beetles, lizards, snakes, hunting spiders and harvestmen) as the drivers of terrestrial bioluminescence in beetles. These ages also support the hypothesis that sexual signalling was probably the original function of this signal in aerial fireflies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth S. Powell
- Department of Biology and Monte L. Bean Museum, Brigham Young University, 4102 LSB, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Natalie A. Saxton
- Research and Collections Division, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA,Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, 2080 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Yelena M. Pacheco
- Plant Biology Department, University of Georgia, 4510 Miller Plant Sciences Building, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Kathrin F. Stanger-Hall
- Plant Biology Department, University of Georgia, 4510 Miller Plant Sciences Building, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Gavin J. Martin
- School of Math and Sciences, Laramie County Community College, 1400 E. College Dr., Cheyenne, WY 82007, USA
| | - Dominik Kusy
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Molecular Evolution, Czech Advanced Technology Research Institute (CRH), Palacky University, Slechtitelu 27, Olomouc 783 71, Czech Republic
| | - Luiz Felipe Lima Da Silveira
- Biology Department, Western Carolina University, 206 Stillwell Building, 1 University Dr., Cullowhee, NC 2723, USA
| | - Ladislav Bocak
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Molecular Evolution, Czech Advanced Technology Research Institute (CRH), Palacky University, Slechtitelu 27, Olomouc 783 71, Czech Republic
| | - Marc A. Branham
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110620, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Seth M. Bybee
- Department of Biology and Monte L. Bean Museum, Brigham Young University, 4102 LSB, Provo, UT 84602, USA
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13
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Zhu CQ, Xu XD, Zhen Y. Systematic review of the firefly genus Emeia Fu, Ballantyne & Lambkin, 2012 (Coleoptera, Lampyridae) from China. Zookeys 2022; 1113:153-166. [PMID: 36762232 PMCID: PMC9848877 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1113.79721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Luciolinae genus Emeia Fu, Ballantyne & Lambkin, 2012 is reviewed. Phylogenetic relationships based on cox1 DNA barcoding sequences from 42 fireflies and 2 outgroup species are reconstructed. The dataset included three main Lampyridae subfamilies: Luciolinae, Photurinae and Lampyrinae, and Emeia was recovered within Luciolinae. A new species, Emeiapulchra Zhu & Zhen sp. nov., is described from the wetland of Lishui, Zhejiang, China. Emeiapulchra is sister species to E.pseudosauteri from Sichuan, which is supported by morphological characters and a phylogeny based on DNA barcoding sequences. The two species are separated geographically as shown on the distribution map. A key to species of Emeia using males is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Qi Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaWestlake UniversityHangzhouChina,Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina,Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, ChinaWestlake Institute for Advanced StudyHangzhouChina
| | - Xiao-Dong Xu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina,Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, ChinaWestlake Institute for Advanced StudyHangzhouChina
| | - Ying Zhen
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina,Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, ChinaWestlake Institute for Advanced StudyHangzhouChina
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14
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Owens ACS, Dressler CT, Lewis SM. Costs and benefits of "insect friendly" artificial lights are taxon specific. Oecologia 2022; 199:487-497. [PMID: 35650413 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05189-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The expansion of human activity into natural habitats often results in the introduction of artificial light at night, which can disrupt local ecosystems. Recent advances in LED technology have enabled spectral tuning of artificial light sources, which could in theory limit their impact on vulnerable taxa. To date, however, experimental comparisons of ecologically friendly candidate colors have often considered only one type of behavioral impact, sometimes on only single species. Resulting recommendations cannot be broadly implemented if their consequences for other local taxa are unknown. Working at a popular firefly ecotourism site, we exposed the insect community to artificial illumination of three colors (blue, broad-spectrum amber, red) and measured flight-to-light behavior as well as the courtship flash behavior of male Photinus carolinus fireflies. Firefly courtship activity was greatest under blue and red lights, while the most flying insects were attracted to blue and broad-spectrum amber lights. Thus, while impacts of spectrally tuned artificial light varied across taxa, our results suggest that red light, rather than amber light, is least disruptive to insects overall, and therefore more generally insect friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avalon C S Owens
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
| | - Caroline T Dressler
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.,Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Brown University, 80 Waterman Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Sara M Lewis
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
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15
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Abstract
Background Previous research suggests that fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) are susceptible to commonly used insecticides. In the United States, there has been a rapid and widespread adoption of neonicotinoid insecticides, predominantly used as seed coatings on large-acreage crops like corn, soy, and cotton. Neonicotinoid insecticides are persistent in soil yet mobile in water, so they have potential to contaminate firefly habitats both in and adjacent to application sites. As a result, fireflies may be at high risk of exposure to neonicotinoids, possibly jeopardizing this already at-risk group of charismatic insects. Methods To assess the sensitivity of fireflies to neonicotinoids, we exposed larvae of Photuris versicolor complex and Photinus pyralis to multiple levels of clothianidin-treated soil and monitored feeding behavior, protective soil chamber formation, intoxication, and mortality. Results Pt. versicolor and Pn. pyralis larvae exhibited long-term intoxication and mortality at concentrations above 1,000 ng g-1 soil (1 ppm). Under sub-lethal clothianidin exposure, firefly larvae fed less and spent less time in protective soil chambers, two behavioral changes that could decrease larval survival in the wild. Discussion Both firefly species demonstrated sub-lethal responses in the lab to clothianidin exposure at field-realistic concentrations, although Pt. versicolor and Pn. pyralis appeared to tolerate higher clothianidin exposure relative to other soil invertebrates and beetle species. While these two firefly species, which are relatively widespread in North America, appear somewhat tolerant of neonicotinoid exposure in a laboratory setting, further work is needed to extend this conclusion to wild populations, especially in rare or declining taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Ann Pearsons
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Sarah E Lower
- Biology Department, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, United States of America
| | - John F Tooker
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
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16
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Abdullah NA, Asri LN, Husin SM, Shukor AM, Darbis NDA, Ismail K, Agustar HK, Sulaiman N, Hazmi IR. Influence of physico-chemical characteristics of rembau river, peninsular Malaysia, on congregating Pteroptyx fireflies. Environ Monit Assess 2021; 193:634. [PMID: 34491451 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09426-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We studied the water quality of the riparian firefly sanctuary of Sungai Rembau, or Rembau River, in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, from January 2018 to November 2018 to determine the possible influence of the physico-chemical characteristics of the water on the firefly populations living within the sanctuary. We set up a total of five water quality sampling stations and 10 firefly sampling stations along the river. Dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured in situ, while chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) were analysed in the laboratory. Firefly samples were collected using a sweep net at both day and night for 1 min. Sungai Rembau was categorized as Class II on the Malaysian water quality index (WQI), which indicates slight pollution. Except for EC and DO, the water quality parameter values were not significantly different (p > 0.05) between the sampling stations. A total of 529 firefly individuals consisting of Pteroptyx tener (n = 525, 99.24%), P. malaccae (n = 3, 0.57%) and P. asymmetria (n = 1, 0.19%) were collected. There was significant correlation between firefly abundance and BOD (r = - 0.198, p < 0.05), NH3-N (r = - 0.150, p < 0.05) and pH (r = 0.408, p < 0.05). The results show that the firefly populations in Sungai Rembau are sensitive to organic compounds, which may be present in the form of pollutants from anthropogenic activities near their natural habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur-Athirah Abdullah
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Center for Insect Systematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lailatul-Nadhirah Asri
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Center for Insect Systematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Shahril Mod Husin
- TNB Research Sdn. Bhd, Lorong Ayer Hitam, Kawasan Institut Penyelidikan, No. 1, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Aisah Md Shukor
- TNB Research Sdn. Bhd, Lorong Ayer Hitam, Kawasan Institut Penyelidikan, No. 1, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Darsani Ahmad Darbis
- TNB Research Sdn. Bhd, Lorong Ayer Hitam, Kawasan Institut Penyelidikan, No. 1, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kamaruzzaman Ismail
- TNB Research Sdn. Bhd, Lorong Ayer Hitam, Kawasan Institut Penyelidikan, No. 1, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hani Kartini Agustar
- Department of Earth Sciences and Natural Resources, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norela Sulaiman
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Center for Insect Systematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Izfa Riza Hazmi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Center for Insect Systematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
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17
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Berger A, Petschenka G, Degenkolb T, Geisthardt M, Vilcinskas A. Insect Collections as an Untapped Source of Bioactive Compounds-Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) and Cardiotonic Steroids as a Proof of Concept. Insects 2021; 12:689. [PMID: 34442254 PMCID: PMC8396437 DOI: 10.3390/insects12080689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Natural history collections provide an invaluable basis for systematics, ecology, and conservation. Besides being an important source of DNA, museum specimens may also contain a plethora of natural products. Especially, dried insect collections represent a global repository with billions of inventoried vouchers. Due to their vast diversity, insects possess a great variety of defensive compounds, which they either produce autogenously or derive from the environment. Here, we present a case study on fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), which produce bufadienolides as a defense against predators. These toxins belong to the cardiotonic steroids, which are used for the treatment of cardiac diseases and specifically inhibit the animal enzyme Na+/K+-ATPase. Bufadienolides have been reported from only seven out of approximately 2000 described firefly species. Using a non-destructive approach, we screened 72 dry coleopteran specimens for bufadienolides using HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS. We found bufadienolides including five novel compounds in 21 species of the subfamily Lampyrinae. The absence of bufadienolides in the phylogenetically related net-winged beetles (Lycidae) and the lampyrid subfamilies Luciolinae and Lamprohizinae indicates a phylogenetic pattern of bufadienolide synthesis. Our results emphasize the value of natural history collections as an archive of chemical information for ecological and evolutionary basic research and as an untapped source for novel bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Berger
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.B.); (T.D.)
| | - Georg Petschenka
- Department of Applied Entomology, Institute of Phytomedicine, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Hohenheim, Otto-Sander-Strasse 5, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thomas Degenkolb
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.B.); (T.D.)
| | | | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.B.); (T.D.)
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergs-weg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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18
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Wang LJ, Wu YW, Wang TY. Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Abscondita cerata (Olivier, 1911) (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) and its phylogenetic implications. Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2021; 6:2528-2530. [PMID: 34377818 PMCID: PMC8330745 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2021.1959456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We sequenced and assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of Abscondita cerata from Nankang, Taipei City, Taiwan. The complete mitogenome of A. cerata is 16,964 bp long, and contains 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA, and two rDNA genes. Nucleotide compositions of the mitogenome of the A. cerata are A: 43.93%, T: 36.74%, C: 11.05%, and G: 8.28%. The AT and GC skewness of the mitogenome sequence are 0.0891 and −0.1434, showing the genome composition skewness toward adenine and cytosine. The clade including all Lampyridae species is well supported. The result indicates that Luciolinae is a monophyletic group but Lampyrinae is not a monophyletic group, as Lamprigera yunnana, which was originally classified into Lampyrinae, is sister to Luciolinae. The genus Lamprigera may share a unique phylogenetic position in Lampyridae. The genus Luciola is a polyphyletic group and the genus Abscondita is a monophyletic group. A. cerata is the sister species to A. chinensis in China. Mitogenomic data from this study will provide useful molecular markers for further studies on the population genetics, speciation, and conservation of endemic species A. cerata in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Jong Wang
- Division of Forest Protection, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Tzi-Yuan Wang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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19
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Ge X, Yuan L, Kang Y, Liu T, Liu H, Yang Y. Characterization of the First Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Cyphonocerinae (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) with Implications for Phylogeny and Evolution of Fireflies. Insects 2021; 12:570. [PMID: 34206376 PMCID: PMC8307346 DOI: 10.3390/insects12070570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Complete mitochondrial genomes are valuable resources for phylogenetics in insects. The Cyphonoceridae represents an important lineage of fireflies. However, no complete mitogenome is available until now. Here, the first complete mitochondrial genome from this subfamily was reported, with Cyphonocerus sanguineus klapperichi as a representative. The mitogenome of C. sanguineus klapperichi was conserved in the structure and comparable to that of others in size and A+T content. Nucleotide composition was A+T-biased, and all genes exhibited a positive AT-skew and negative GC-skew. Two types of tandem repeat sequence units were present in the control region (136 bp × 2; 171 bp × 2 + 9 bp). For reconstruction of Lampyridae's phylogeny, three different datasets were analyzed by both maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. As a result, the same topology was produced by both ML analysis of 13 protein-coding genes and 2rRNA and BI analysis of 37 genes. The results indicated that Lampyridae, Lampyrinae, Luciolinae (excluding Emeia) were monophyletic, but Ototretinae was paraphyletic, of which Stenocladius was recovered as the sister taxon to all others, while Drilaster was more closely related to Cyphonocerinae; Phturinae + Emeia were included in a monophyletic clade, which comprised sister groups with Lampyridae. Vesta was deeply rooted in the Luciolinae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Ge
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, School of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; (X.G.); (L.Y.); (Y.K.); (T.L.)
| | - Lilan Yuan
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, School of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; (X.G.); (L.Y.); (Y.K.); (T.L.)
- College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China
| | - Ya Kang
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, School of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; (X.G.); (L.Y.); (Y.K.); (T.L.)
| | - Tong Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, School of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; (X.G.); (L.Y.); (Y.K.); (T.L.)
| | - Haoyu Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, School of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; (X.G.); (L.Y.); (Y.K.); (T.L.)
| | - Yuxia Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, School of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; (X.G.); (L.Y.); (Y.K.); (T.L.)
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Douglas HB, Kundrata R, Brunke AJ, Escalona HE, Chapados JT, Eyres J, Richter R, Savard K, Ślipiński A, McKenna D, Dettman JR. Anchored Phylogenomics, Evolution and Systematics of Elateridae: Are All Bioluminescent Elateroidea Derived Click Beetles? Biology (Basel) 2021; 10:biology10060451. [PMID: 34063961 PMCID: PMC8224040 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary In the era of phylogenomics, new molecular sequencing and computational techniques can aid in resolving phylogenetic relationships that were previously intractable by morphological or limited molecular data. In this study, we used anchored hybrid enrichment—designed to recover DNA sequences from hundreds of single-copy orthologous genes—to resolve the phylogeny of the Elateridae (click-beetles) and establish their placement within superfamily Elateroidea. The resulting data were compatible with published transcriptomes, allowing for integrating our dataset with previously published data. Using a wide range of analyses on these molecular data, we tested hypotheses long-debated in the morphological literature and also the robustness of our phylogenetic inferences. Our results placed the bioluminescent lampyroids (fireflies and relatives) within the click-beetles, challenging the current classification of Elateridae, Lampyridae, Phengodidae, and Rhagophthalmidae. However, despite the large amount of molecular data analyzed, a few nodes with conflicting phylogenetic signals could not be unambiguously resolved. Overall, we recovered well-resolved tree topologies that will serve as a framework for further systematic and evolutionary studies of click-beetles. This work further demonstrates that the click-beetle lineage contains not only pest wireworms, but also many species that benefit agriculture. Abstract Click-beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae) are an abundant, diverse, and economically important beetle family that includes bioluminescent species. To date, molecular phylogenies have sampled relatively few taxa and genes, incompletely resolving subfamily level relationships. We present a novel probe set for anchored hybrid enrichment of 2260 single-copy orthologous genes in Elateroidea. Using these probes, we undertook the largest phylogenomic study of Elateroidea to date (99 Elateroidea, including 86 Elateridae, plus 5 non-elateroid outgroups). We sequenced specimens from 88 taxa to test the monophyly of families, subfamilies and tribes. Maximum likelihood and coalescent phylogenetic analyses produced well-resolved topologies. Notably, the included non-elaterid bioluminescent families (Lampyridae + Phengodidae + Rhagophthalmidae) form a clade within the otherwise monophyletic Elateridae, and Sinopyrophoridae may not warrant recognition as a family. All analyses recovered the elaterid subfamilies Elaterinae, Agrypninae, Cardiophorinae, Negastriinae, Pityobiinae, and Tetralobinae as monophyletic. Our results were conflicting on whether the hypnoidines are sister to Dendrometrinae or Cardiophorinae + Negastriinae. Moreover, we show that fossils with the eucnemid-type frons and elongate cylindrical shape may belong to Eucnemidae, Elateridae: Thylacosterninae, ancestral hard-bodied cantharoids or related extinct groups. Proposed taxonomic changes include recognition of Plastocerini as a tribe in Dendrometrinae and Hypnoidinae stat. nov. as a subfamily within Elateridae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hume B. Douglas
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (A.J.B.); (J.T.C.); (J.E.); (R.R.); (K.S.); (J.R.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Robin Kundrata
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 50, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic;
| | - Adam J. Brunke
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (A.J.B.); (J.T.C.); (J.E.); (R.R.); (K.S.); (J.R.D.)
| | - Hermes E. Escalona
- Australian National Insect Collection, National Collections Australia, CSIRO, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (H.E.E.); (A.Ś.)
| | - Julie T. Chapados
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (A.J.B.); (J.T.C.); (J.E.); (R.R.); (K.S.); (J.R.D.)
| | - Jackson Eyres
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (A.J.B.); (J.T.C.); (J.E.); (R.R.); (K.S.); (J.R.D.)
| | - Robin Richter
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (A.J.B.); (J.T.C.); (J.E.); (R.R.); (K.S.); (J.R.D.)
| | - Karine Savard
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (A.J.B.); (J.T.C.); (J.E.); (R.R.); (K.S.); (J.R.D.)
| | - Adam Ślipiński
- Australian National Insect Collection, National Collections Australia, CSIRO, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (H.E.E.); (A.Ś.)
| | - Duane McKenna
- Center for Biodiversity Research, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA;
| | - Jeremy R. Dettman
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (A.J.B.); (J.T.C.); (J.E.); (R.R.); (K.S.); (J.R.D.)
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21
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López-Palafox T, Macías-Ordóñez R, Cordero CR. The size of signal detection and emission organs in a synchronous firefly: sexual dimorphism, allometry and assortative mating. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10127. [PMID: 33194388 PMCID: PMC7597648 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The size of the organs responsible for emitting and detecting sexual communication signals is a likely target for selection. Communication via bioluminescent signals in synchronous fireflies is a promising model to test hypotheses regarding differences between males and females in the effect of the size of signal emission and detection organs on fitness components. Synchronous firefly species congregate in large numbers during the mating season, displaying bioluminescent signals aimed at potential mates during relatively short nightly periods. Operational sex ratios are male-biased and, thus, the so-called typical sex roles (indiscriminate males and choosy females) are expected to evolve. We studied the synchronous firefly Photinus palaciosi, a species that during the mating season congregates in forests of central Mexico offering a magnificent natural show that attracts numerous tourists. P. palaciosi females have reduced wings (brachyptery) and cannot fly. Our field study tested the hypothesis that the male-biased operational sex ratio and the short daily mating period result in strong male-male competition that selects for males with larger lanterns and larger eyes, and against male mate choice, whereas female-female mate competition is absent and, thus, no selection on lantern or eye size is expected. Even though lantern, eye or body size do not predict the probability of being found in copula for either sex, sexual dimorphism in these features, along with allometric slopes of lantern size and assortative mating in terms of relative lantern size, support not only the hypothesis of intense sexual selection among males, but the possibility of subtle mechanisms of sexual selection among females. Trade-offs between investment in signaling (lanterns) versus detection (eyes) structures, or with pressures different from sexual selection such as those imposed by predators, are also likely to be important in shaping the evolution of sexual signaling in these fireflies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania López-Palafox
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Carlos R. Cordero
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, México
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22
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Elgert C, Hopkins J, Kaitala A, Candolin U. Reproduction under light pollution: maladaptive response to spatial variation in artificial light in a glow-worm. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200806. [PMID: 32673556 PMCID: PMC7423653 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The amount of artificial light at night is growing worldwide, impacting the behaviour of nocturnal organisms. Yet, we know little about the consequences of these behavioural responses for individual fitness and population viability. We investigated if females of the common glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca—which glow in the night to attract males—mitigate negative effects of artificial light on mate attraction by adjusting the timing and location of glowing to spatial variation in light conditions. We found females do not move away from light when exposed to a gradient of artificial light, but delay or even refrain from glowing. Further, we demonstrate that this response is maladaptive, as our field study showed that staying still when exposed to artificial light from a simulated streetlight decreases mate attraction success, while moving only a short distance from the light source can markedly improve mate attraction. These results indicate that glow-worms are unable to respond to spatial variation in artificial light, which may be a factor in their global decline. Consequently, our results support the hypothesis that animals often lack adaptive behavioural responses to anthropogenic environmental changes and underlines the importance of considering behavioural responses when investigating the effects of human activities on wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Elgert
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palméns väg 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland
| | - Juhani Hopkins
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, 90014 Oulu, Finland.,Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palméns väg 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland
| | - Arja Kaitala
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, 90014 Oulu, Finland.,Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palméns väg 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland
| | - Ulrika Candolin
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palméns väg 260, 10900 Hanko, Finland
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23
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Abstract
Prey-tracking behavior is common in snail-killing predators, but in the family Lampyridae, this behavior has been validated in only a single species even though this Coleopteran family includes many specialist snail predators. The endemic firefly Pyrocoelia atripennis is a major snail-killing predator in the Yaeyama Islands of Japan, and the larvae often climb on the trees and grasses at night. This tree-climbing behavior is relevant to larval food choices and anti-predatory defenses of land snails. This study examined whether lampyrid larvae can track snail mucus trails and examined larval prey preferences using alternative choice experiments. In addition, predation trials were conducted to evaluate which snail species are potential prey. P. atripennis larvae significantly selected mucous trails over distilled water or control (no-trail) treatments. In addition, a semi-arboreal species was preferred over a ground-dwelling species. In predation trials, the larvae preyed on five out of 10 endemic snail species, all of which were semi-arboreal or arboreal species. Ground-dwelling Cyclophoridae and Aegista species have effective anti-predatory defenses consisting of an operculum or "foamy-lid" that fills the shell aperture. Whether the prey has a lid affects the predation success of lampyrid larvae, and larval tree-climbing behavior may be an adaptation used to search for semi-arboreal and arboreal land snails that lack defensive lids. Furthermore, snail mucus left on the plant stem may help the lampyrid larvae to locate their prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomu Sato
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan.,Current affiliation: Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachiouji, Japan
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24
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Lower SE, Stanger-Hall KF, Hall DW. Molecular variation across populations of a widespread North American firefly, Photinus pyralis, reveals that coding changes do not underlie flash color variation or associated visual sensitivity. BMC Evol Biol 2018; 18:129. [PMID: 30170542 PMCID: PMC6119266 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1251-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Genes underlying signal production and reception are expected to evolve to maximize signal detection in specific environments. Fireflies vary in their light signal color both within and between species, and thus provide an excellent system in which to study signal production and reception in the context of signaling environments. Differences in signal color have been hypothesized to be due to variation in the sequence of luciferase, the enzyme that catalyzes the light reaction. Similarly, differences in visual sensitivity, which are expected to match signal color, have been hypothesized to be due to variation in the sequence of opsins, the protein component of visual pigments. Here we investigated (1) whether sequence variation in luciferase correlates with variation in signal color and (2) whether sequence variation in opsins correlates with inferred matching visual sensitivity across populations of a widespread North American firefly species, Photinus pyralis. We further tested (3) whether selection has acted on these loci by examining their population-level differentiation relative to the distribution of differentiation derived from a genome-wide sample of loci generated by double-digest RADseq. Results We found virtually no coding variation in luciferase or opsins. However, there was extreme divergence in non-coding variation in luciferase across populations relative to a panel of random genomic loci. Conclusions The absence of protein variation at both loci challenges the paradigm that variation in signal color and visual sensitivity in fireflies is exclusively due to coding variation in luciferase and opsin genes. Instead, flash color variation within species must involve other mechanisms, such as abdominal pigmentation or regulation of light organ physiology. Evidence for selection at non-coding variation in luciferase suggests that selection is targeting luciferase regulation and may favor differ expression levels across populations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12862-018-1251-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Lower
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. .,Present address: Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA.
| | | | - David W Hall
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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25
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Abstract
We report the complete mitochondrial genome of firefly, Abscondita anceyi (Olivier). The circular genome of 16,519 bp has a base composition of A (43.81%), C (11.80%), G (8.35%), and T (36.03%). Similar to other Metazoa, our sequence contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a non-coding AT-rich region. We sequenced the mitochondrial genome of fireflies to analyse phylogenetic relationships and deduce the evolution of their flashing signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Hu
- Fujian Key laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pest, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Science, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xinhua Fu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Firefly Conservation Research Centre, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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26
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Abstract
We report the complete mitochondrial genome of firefly, Luciola curtithorax. The circular genome of 16,882 bp has a base composition of A (44.98%), C (11.84%), G (8.15%), and T (35.03%). Our sequence is similar to other Metazoa, which contains 13 protein-coding genes. All 13 protein-coding genes were initiated by the ATN (ATT, ATA, and ATG) codon. Ten protein-coding genes stopped with TAA or TAG codon and the other three genes have an incomplete termination codon, a single T––. We sequenced the mitochondrial genome of fireflies to analyze phylogenetic relationships and deduce the evolution of their flashing signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Hu
- Fujian Key laboratory for Monitoring and Integrated Management of Crop Pest, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Science, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xinhua Fu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Firefly Conservation Research Centre, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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27
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Maeda J, Kato DI, Arima K, Ito Y, Toyoda A, Noguchi H. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence and phylogenetic analysis of Luciola lateralis, one of the most famous firefly in Japan (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2017; 2:546-547. [PMID: 33473894 PMCID: PMC7799510 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2017.1365640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We will report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Japanese firefly ‘Heike Botaru’, Luciola lateralis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Total length of this mitogenome was 16,719 bp and the composition of each base was A (42.50%), C (9.01%), G (14.16%), T (34.33%), respectively. The obtained sequence fulfils general mitogenome composition of metazoan (13 protein coding sequences (CDSs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA subunits, and an AT-rich region). From the phylogenetic tree analysis using 25 kinds of insect mitogenome including firefly family was found that L. lateralis is the closest to the genus Aquatica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juri Maeda
- Department of Chemistry and Biosciences, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Dai-Ichiro Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Biosciences, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kazunari Arima
- Department of Chemistry and Biosciences, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yuji Ito
- Department of Chemistry and Biosciences, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Advanced Genomics Center, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Hideki Noguchi
- Center for Genome Informatics, Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research, Research Organization of Information and Systems, Mishima, Japan
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28
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Maeda J, Kato DI, Arima K, Ito Y, Toyoda A, Noguchi H. The complete mitogenome and phylogenetic analysis of Japanese firefly 'Genji Botaru' Luciola cruciata (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2017; 2:522-523. [PMID: 33490463 PMCID: PMC7800388 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2017.1365641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We performed mitogenome analysis of Japanese firefly Luciola cruciata (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), which is unique species in Japan. It is classified into six haplotypes based on the difference of COII sequence on mitochondrial DNA. The complete mitogenome sequence of Tohoku group has been registered so far, we newly analysed West Japan groups which belong to different haplotype. The total length of analysed mitogenome was 15,990 bp, being one base longer than the case of Tohoku’s firefly. The base substitution was found at 273 positions over the whole mitochondrial sequence, while amino acid substitution accompanying it was observed at only 11 positions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juri Maeda
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Dai-Ichiro Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kazunari Arima
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yuji Ito
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Advanced Genomics Center, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Hideki Noguchi
- Center for Genome Informatics, Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research, Research Organization of Information and Systems, Mishima, Japan
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29
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Lower SS, Johnston JS, Stanger-Hall KF, Hjelmen CE, Hanrahan SJ, Korunes K, Hall D. Genome Size in North American Fireflies: Substantial Variation Likely Driven by Neutral Processes. Genome Biol Evol 2017; 9:1499-1512. [PMID: 28541478 PMCID: PMC5499882 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evx097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes show tremendous size variation across taxa. Proximate explanations for genome size variation include differences in ploidy and amounts of noncoding DNA, especially repetitive DNA. Ultimate explanations include selection on physiological correlates of genome size such as cell size, which in turn influence body size, resulting in the often-observed correlation between body size and genome size. In this study, we examined body size and repetitive DNA elements in relationship to the evolution of genome size in North American representatives of a single beetle family, the Lampyridae (fireflies). The 23 species considered represent an excellent study system because of the greater than 5-fold range of genome sizes, documented here using flow cytometry, and the 3-fold range in body size, measured using pronotum width. We also identified common genomic repetitive elements using low-coverage sequencing. We found a positive relationship between genome size and repetitive DNA, particularly retrotransposons. Both genome size and these elements were evolving as expected given phylogenetic relatedness. We also tested whether genome size varied with body size and found no relationship. Together, our results suggest that genome size is evolving neutrally in fireflies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - David Hall
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia
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30
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Hermann SL, Xue S, Rowe L, Davidson-Lowe E, Myers A, Eshchanov B, Bahlai CA. Thermally moderated firefly activity is delayed by precipitation extremes. R Soc Open Sci 2016; 3:160712. [PMID: 28083109 PMCID: PMC5210691 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The timing of events in the life history of temperate insects is most typically primarily cued by one of two drivers: photoperiod or temperature accumulation over the growing season. However, an insect's phenology can also be moderated by other drivers like rainfall or the phenology of its host plants. When multiple drivers of phenology interact, there is greater potential for phenological asynchronies to arise between an organism and those with which it interacts. We examined the phenological patterns of a highly seasonal group of fireflies (Photinus spp., predominantly P. pyralis) over a 12-year period (2004-2015) across 10 plant communities to determine whether interacting drivers could explain the variability observed in the adult flight activity density (i.e. mating season) of this species. We found that temperature accumulation was the primary driver of phenology, with activity peaks usually occurring at a temperature accumulation of approximately 800 degree days (base 10°C); however, our model found this peak varied by nearly 180 degree-day units among years. This variation could be explained by a quadratic relationship with the accumulation of precipitation in the growing season; in years with either high or low precipitation extremes at our study site, flight activity was delayed. More fireflies were captured in general in herbaceous plant communities with minimal soil disturbance (alfalfa and no-till field crop rotations), but only weak interactions occurred between within-season responses to climatic variables and plant community. The interaction we observed between temperature and precipitation accumulation suggests that, although climate warming has the potential to disrupt phenology of many organisms, changes to regional precipitation patterns can magnify these disruptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara L. Hermann
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16803, USA
| | - Saisi Xue
- Biomass Conversion Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Logan Rowe
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Elizabeth Davidson-Lowe
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Andrew Myers
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16803, USA
| | - Bahodir Eshchanov
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Christie A. Bahlai
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Mozilla Science Laboratory, Mozilla, Mountain View, CA 94041, USA
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31
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Hall DW, Sander SE, Pallansch JC, Stanger-Hall KF. The evolution of adult light emission color in North American fireflies. Evolution 2016; 70:2033-48. [PMID: 27412777 PMCID: PMC5014620 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Firefly species (Lampyridae) vary in the color of their adult bioluminescence. It has been hypothesized that color is selected to enhance detection by conspecifics. One mechanism to improve visibility of the signal is to increase contrast against ambient light. High contrast implies that fireflies active early in the evening will emit yellower luminescence to contrast against ambient light reflected from green vegetation, especially in habitats with high vegetation cover. Another mechanism to improve visibility is to use reflection off the background to enhance the light signal. Reflectance predicts that sedentary females will produce greener light to maximize reflection off the green vegetation on which they signal. To test these predictions, we recorded over 7500 light emission spectra and determined peak emission wavelength for 675 males, representing 24 species, at 57 field sites across the Eastern United States. We found support for both hypotheses: males active early in more vegetated habitats produced yellower flashes in comparison to later-active males with greener flashes. Further, in two of the eight species with female data, female light emissions were significantly greener as compared to males.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Hall
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602.
| | - Sarah E Sander
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602
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32
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Sander SE, Hall DW. Variation in opsin genes correlates with signalling ecology in North American fireflies. Mol Ecol 2015; 24:4679-96. [PMID: 26289828 PMCID: PMC4599352 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Genes underlying signal reception should evolve to maximize signal detection in a particular environment. In animals, opsins, the protein component of visual pigments, are predicted to evolve according to this expectation. Fireflies are known for their bioluminescent mating signals. The eyes of nocturnal species are expected to maximize the detection of conspecific signal colours emitted in the typical low-light environment. This is not expected for species that have transitioned to diurnal activity in bright daytime environments. Here, we test the hypothesis that opsin gene sequence plays a role in modifying firefly eye spectral sensitivity. We use genome and transcriptome sequencing in four firefly species, transcriptome sequencing in six additional species and targeted gene sequencing in 28 other species to identify all opsin genes present in North American fireflies and to elucidate amino acid sites under positive selection. We also determine whether amino acid substitutions in opsins are linked to evolutionary changes in signal mode, signal colour and light environment. We find only two opsins, one long wavelength and one ultraviolet, in all firefly species and identify 25 candidate sites that may be involved in determining spectral sensitivity. In addition, we find elevated rates of evolution at transitions to diurnal activity, and changes in selective constraint on long wavelength opsin associated with changes in light environment. Our results suggest that changes in eye spectral sensitivity are at least partially due to opsin sequence. Fireflies continue to be a promising system in which to investigate the evolution of signals, receptors and signalling environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Sander
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - D W Hall
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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33
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Stansbury MS, Moczek AP. The function of Hox and appendage-patterning genes in the development of an evolutionary novelty, the Photuris firefly lantern. Proc Biol Sci 2014; 281:20133333. [PMID: 24648226 PMCID: PMC3973271 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.3333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Uncovering the mechanisms underlying the evolution of novel traits is a central challenge in biology. The lanterns of fireflies are complex traits that lack even remote homology to structures outside luminescent beetle families. Representing unambiguous novelties by the strictest definition, their developmental underpinnings may provide clues to their origin and offer insights into the mechanisms of innovation in developmental evolution. Lanterns develop within the context of abdominal Hox expression domains, and we hypothesized that lantern formation may be instructed in part by these highly conserved transcription factors. We show that transcript depletion of Abdominal-B in Photuris fireflies results in extensive disruption of the adult lantern, suggesting that the evolution of adult lanterns involved the acquisition of a novel regulatory role for this Hox gene. Using the same approach, we show that the Hox gene abdominal-A may control important secondary aspects of lantern development. Lastly, we hypothesized that lantern evolution may have involved the recruitment of dormant abdominal appendage-patterning domains; however, transcript depletion of two genes, Distal-less and dachshund, suggests that they do not contribute to lantern development. Our results suggest that complex novelties can arise within the confines of ancestral regulatory landscapes through acquisition of novel targets without compromising ancestral functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Stansbury
- Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, 1007 East Lowell Street, PO Box 210106, Tucson, AZ 85721-0106, USA
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, 1001 East 3rd St., Jordan Hall 142, Bloomington, IN 47405-7005, USA
| | - Armin P. Moczek
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, 1001 East 3rd St., Jordan Hall 142, Bloomington, IN 47405-7005, USA
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34
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Ohtsuki H, Yokoyama J, Ohba N, Ohmiya Y, Kawata M. Expression of the nos gene and firefly flashing: a test of the nitric-oxide-mediated flash control model. J Insect Sci 2014; 14:56. [PMID: 25373203 PMCID: PMC4207525 DOI: 10.1093/jis/14.1.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2013] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) emit various types of light that differ among species and populations of the same species. Their lights are assumed to be biological properties that play important ecological and evolutionary roles. Some species in the Lampyridae emit periodic luminescence, the patterns of which are characterized by species-specific intervals. In previous work, it was predicted that the nitric oxide (NO) regulates the oxygen supply required for the bioluminescence reaction of fireflies. Here, the expression of the NO synthase (NOS) mRNA in some fireflies was examined to verify the predictive model of nitric-oxide-mediated flash control in these insects. The expression of the nos gene in the lantern organ was observed not only in nocturnal flashing species but also in diurnal non-flashing species. It was shown that the expression levels of nos were higher in the lantern of Luciola cruciata (Motschulsky) larvae, which that emits continuous light, than in other body parts, although expression in the lantern of the adults, who flash periodically, was not high. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in expression levels among adults of Luciola cruciata characterized by different flashing intervals. The data do not support the model of an NO-mediated flash control mechanism, during which oxygen becomes available for the luciferin-luciferase reaction through NO-mediated inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. It is also indicated that flash patterns do not co-vary with NOS production. However, high nos expression in the larval lantern suggests that NO may play a role in producing continuous light by functioning as a neurotransmitter signal for bioluminescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Ohtsuki
- Division of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Jun Yokoyama
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Ohba
- Ohba Firefly Research Laboratory, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ohmiya
- Research Institute for Cell Engineering, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masakado Kawata
- Division of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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Jeng ML, Engel MS. Description of Oculogryphus shuensis sp. n. (Coleoptera, Lampyridae), the first species of the genus in the Sino-Japanese realm, with a modified key to the subfamily Ototretinae. Zookeys 2014:41-7. [PMID: 24574852 PMCID: PMC3935427 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.378.6435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A new species of the lampyrid genus Oculogryphus Jeng, Engel, and Yang, O. shuensissp. n. from China (Sichuan Province) is described and figured. The genus previously was known only from Vietnam, and the new species is the first representative of the genus in the Sino-Japanese zoogeographic realm. Some morphological variations of Oculogryphus and the allied genus Stenocladius are discussed and a modification to the most recent key to ototretine genera is proposed to accommodate Oculogryphus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Luen Jeng
- Department of Biology, National Museum of Natural Science, No. 1, Guanqian Rd., Taichung City 40453, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Michael S Engel
- Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum, and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, 1501 Crestline Drive - Suite 140, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA
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Abstract
The firefly Aquatica leii (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) is widely distributed in China. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the first complete mitochondrial genome of the firefly from the subfamily Luciolinae. The circular genome of 16,856 bp in length contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a non-coding AT-rich region. Overall base composition of the genome is 42.28% A, 34.80% T, 13.91% C and 9.01% G, with an AT bias of 77.08%. All protein-coding genes start with an ATN codon, and terminate with the typical stop codon TAA, TAG or a single T. The non-coding AT-rich region is unusually long (2239 bp), containing six 113 bp tandem repeats and a microsatellite-like (TA)7 element. The genome sequence is useful for studying the evolution of sexual signaling and many ecological specializations in fireflies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengwu Jiao
- a Department of Zoology , College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Minghui Ding
- a Department of Zoology , College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Huabin Zhao
- a Department of Zoology , College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
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37
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Jeng ML, Branham MA, Engel MS. A second species of Oculogryphus (Coleoptera, Lampyridae), with notes on the phylogenetic affinities of the genus. Zookeys 2011:31-8. [PMID: 21594065 PMCID: PMC3095127 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.97.1223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A second species of the enigmatic lampyrid genus Oculogryphus is described and figured as Oculogryphus bicolorsp. n. from Vietnam. The definition of the genus is slightly modified with consideration of newly detected morphological variation from this species. According to a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis including nearly 80% of documented lampyrid genera, Oculogryphus is the putative sister group to Stenocladius s. str. within the paraphyletic group of Ototretinae-Ototretadrilinae.The classification of Stenocladius is briefly discussed in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Luen Jeng
- Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 1501 Crestline Drive-Suite 140, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66049-2811, U.S.A
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