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Yang YX, Kang Y, Ge XY, Yuan SL, Li XY, Liu HY. A Mysterious Asian Firefly Genus, Oculogryphus Jeng, Engel & Yang (Coleoptera, Lampyridae): The First Complete Mitochondrial Genome and Its Phylogenetic Implications. INSECTS 2024; 15:464. [PMID: 39057197 PMCID: PMC11277304 DOI: 10.3390/insects15070464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The firefly genus Oculogryphus Jeng, Engel & Yang, 2007 is a rare-species group endemic to Asia. Since its establishment, its position has been controversial but never rigorously tested. To address this perplexing issue, we are the first to present the complete mitochondrial sequence of Oculogryphus, using the material of O. chenghoiyanae Yiu & Jeng, 2018 determined through a comprehensive morphological identification. Our analyses demonstrate that its mitogenome exhibits similar characteristics to that of Stenocladius, including a rearranged gene order between trnC and trnW, and a long intergenic spacer (702 bp) between the two rearranged genes, within which six remnants (29 bp) of trnW were identified. Further, we incorporated this sequence into phylogenetic analyses of Lampyridae based on different molecular markers and datasets using ML and BI analyses. The results consistently place Oculogryphus within the same clade as Stenocladius in all topologies, and the gene rearrangement is a synapomorphy for this clade. It suggests that Oculogryphus should be classified together with Stenocladius in the subfamily Ototretinae at the moment. This study provides molecular evidence confirming the close relationship between Oculogryphus and Stenocladius and discovers a new phylogenetic marker helpful in clarifying the monophyly of Ototretinae, which also sheds a new light on firefly evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xia 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; (Y.-X.Y.); (Y.K.); (X.-Y.G.); (S.-L.Y.)
- Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, 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; (Y.-X.Y.); (Y.K.); (X.-Y.G.); (S.-L.Y.)
| | - Xue-Ying 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; (Y.-X.Y.); (Y.K.); (X.-Y.G.); (S.-L.Y.)
| | - Shuai-Long 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; (Y.-X.Y.); (Y.K.); (X.-Y.G.); (S.-L.Y.)
| | - Xue-Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Hao-Yu 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; (Y.-X.Y.); (Y.K.); (X.-Y.G.); (S.-L.Y.)
- Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
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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] [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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3
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Yang L, Borne F, Betz A, Aardema ML, Zhen Y, Peng J, Visconti R, Wu M, Roland BP, Talsma AD, Palladino MJ, Petschenka G, Andolfatto P. Predatory fireflies and their toxic firefly prey have evolved distinct toxin resistance strategies. Curr Biol 2023; 33:5160-5168.e7. [PMID: 37989309 PMCID: PMC10872512 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Toxic cardiotonic steroids (CTSs) act as a defense mechanism in many firefly species (Lampyridae) by inhibiting a crucial enzyme called Na+,K+-ATPase (NKA). Although most fireflies produce these toxins internally, species of the genus Photuris acquire them from a surprising source: predation on other fireflies. The contrasting physiology of toxin exposure and sequestration between Photuris and other firefly genera suggests that distinct strategies may be required to prevent self-intoxication. Our study demonstrates that both Photuris and their firefly prey have evolved highly resistant NKAs. Using an evolutionary analysis of the specific target of CTS (ATPα) in fireflies and gene editing in Drosophila, we find that the initial steps toward resistance were shared among Photuris and other firefly lineages. However, the Photuris lineage subsequently underwent multiple rounds of gene duplication and neofunctionalization, resulting in the development of ATPα paralogs that are differentially expressed and exhibit increasing resistance to CTS. By contrast, other firefly species have maintained a single copy. Our results implicate gene duplication as a facilitator in the transition of Photuris to its distinct ecological role as a predator of toxic firefly prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yang
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Flora Borne
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Anja Betz
- Department of Applied Entomology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Matthew L Aardema
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Biology, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA
| | - Ying Zhen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Julie Peng
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Regina Visconti
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Mariana Wu
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Bartholomew P Roland
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Aaron D Talsma
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Michael J Palladino
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Georg Petschenka
- Department of Applied Entomology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Peter Andolfatto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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Ghosh S, Sarkar SK, Chakraborty S. New distributional records of fireflies (Coleoptera, Lampyridae, Luciolinae) from two Eastern States of India with notes on their biology and an updated Indian checklist. Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e98948. [PMID: 38327378 PMCID: PMC10848650 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e98948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The subfamily Luciolinae Lacordaire, 1857, a group of flashing fireflies, is composed of approximately 400 described species in the world. Though the taxonomy of this group has been fairly well established in Southeast (SE) Asia and the Australopacific Region, there is scope of gathering further information regarding taxonomic knowledge on this group from India. Until now, 32 Luciolinae species from nine genera have been reported from India, which is only about 8% (32 out of 400) of the world Luciolinae fauna. With this in mind, several faunistic surveys were conducted in Odisha and West Bengal States of India to explore the firefly fauna of the two States. New information The faunistic surveys conducted in the Odisha and West Bengal States of India have revealed six new distributional records of Luciolinae firefly species belonging to the genera Abscondita Ballantyne, Lambkin & Fu 2013, Asymmetricata Ballantyne 2009, Pteroptyx Olivier 1902 and Sclerotia Ballantyne 2016 in the two States, earlier which were recorded from other States of India. Of the already recorded species, Abs.perplexa is recorded for the first time from both the States, whereas Abs.chinensis, Asy.ovalis and Scl.aquatilis present new records for Odisha State and Pt.malaccae and Scl.substriata for West Bengal State. The newly-recorded taxa are presented with their examined materials, diagnoses and brief biological notes. Some more distinguishing characters were added for the male genitalia of Abs.perplexa and Asy.ovalis. Further, a checklist of Luciolinae firefly species already recorded from India is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinjana Ghosh
- Department of Zoology, Bethune College, Kolkata, IndiaDepartment of Zoology, Bethune CollegeKolkataIndia
| | - Subhankar Kumar Sarkar
- Entomology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, IndiaEntomology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of KalyaniKalyaniIndia
| | - Susanta Chakraborty
- Department of Zoology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, IndiaDepartment of Zoology, Vidyasagar UniversityMidnaporeIndia
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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] [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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Takatsu H, Minami M, Oba Y. Flickering flash signals and mate recognition in the Asian firefly, Aquatica lateralis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2415. [PMID: 36765165 PMCID: PMC9918520 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29552-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Nocturnal fireflies sometimes use intricate bioluminescent signal systems for sexual communication. In this study, we examined flash signals and mate recognition in the Asian firefly, Aquatica lateralis, under natural field conditions. We found that the flash pattern of females changes after copulation, from simple short flashes to flashes with longer duration and flickering. To understand the functions of flickering, we video-recorded and analyzed the flashes of sedentary males, receptive females, and mated females. The results showed that the flashes of these three adult phases can be discriminated from each other by two parameters, flash duration and flicker intensity, with little overlap. Male attraction experiments using an artificial LED device termed 'e-firefly' confirmed that flying and sedentary males are attracted to flashes with shorter durations and lower flicker intensities. The range of attraction success was much wider for flying males and narrower for sedentary males, and the latter was close to the range of receptive female's flashes. These findings suggest that in addition to flash duration, flicker intensity is a flash signal parameter of mate recognition in A. lateralis males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideo Takatsu
- , 5-58 Takayokosuka-machi, Tokai, Aichi, 477-0037, Japan
- Department Environmental Biology, Chubu University, 1200 Matsumoto-cho, Kasugai, Aichi, 487-8501, Japan
| | - Mihoko Minami
- Department of Mathematics, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 223-8522, Japan
| | - Yuichi Oba
- Department Environmental Biology, Chubu University, 1200 Matsumoto-cho, Kasugai, Aichi, 487-8501, Japan.
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Zaragoza-Caballero S, Zurita-García ML, Ramírez-Ponce A. The on–off pattern in the evolution of the presence of bioluminescence in a derived lineage from fireflies of Mexico (Coleoptera, Lampyridae). ZOOL ANZ 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2022.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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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] [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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Goh KS, Wang LJ, Ni JH, Wang TY. Luminescent characteristics and mitochondrial COI barcodes of nine cohabitated Taiwanese fireflies. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14195. [PMID: 36325176 PMCID: PMC9620971 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Over 50 Taiwanese firefly species have been discovered, but scientists lack information regarding most of their genetics, bioluminescent features, and cohabitating phenomena. In this study, we focus on morphological species identification and phylogeny reconstructed by COI barcoding, as well as luminescent characteristics of cohabited Taiwanese firefly species to determine the key factors that influenced how distinct bioluminescent species evolved to coexist and proliferate within the same habitat. Methods In this study, 366 specimens from nine species were collected in northern Taiwan from April to August, 2016-2019. First, the species and sex of the specimens were morphologically and genetically identified. Then, their luminescent spectra and intensities were recorded using a spectrometer and a power meter, respectively. The habitat temperature, relative humidity, and environmental light intensity were also measured. The cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene sequence was used as a DNA barcode to reveal the phylogenetic relationships of cohabitated species. Results Nine species-eight adult species (Abscondita chinensis, Abscondita cerata, Aquatica ficta, Luciola curtithorax, Luciola kagiana, Luciola filiformis, Curtos sauteri, and Curtos costipennis) and one larval Pyrocoelia praetexta-were morphologically identified. The nine species could be found in April-August. Six of the eight adult species shared an overlap occurrence period in May. Luminescent spectra analysis revealed that the λ max of studied species ranged from 552-572 nm (yellow-green to orange-yellow). The average luminescent intensity range of these species was about 1.2-14 lux (182.1-2,048 nW/cm2) for males and 0.8-5.8 lux (122.8-850 nW/cm2) for females, and the maximum luminescent intensity of males was 1.01-7.26-fold higher than that of females. Compared with previous studies, this study demonstrates that different λ max, species-specific flash patterns, microhabitat choices, nocturnal activity time, and/or an isolated mating season are key factors that may lead to the species-specific courtship of cohabitated fireflies. Moreover, we estimated that the fireflies start flashing or flying when the environmental light intensity decreased to 6.49-28.1 lux. Thus, based on a rough theoretical calculation, the sensing distance between male and female fireflies might be 1.8-2.7 m apart in the dark. In addition, the mitochondrial COI barcode identified species with high resolution and suggested that most of the studied species have been placed correctly with congeners in previous phylogenies. Several cryptic species were revealed by the COI barcode with 3.27%-12.3% variation. This study renews the idea that fireflies' luminescence color originated from the green color of a Lampyridae ancestor, then red-shifted to yellow-green in Luciolinae, and further changed to orange-yellow color in some derived species.
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Affiliation(s)
- King-Siang Goh
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Jong Wang
- Forest Protection Division, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Han Ni
- Department of Ecological Humanities, Providence University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tzi-Yuan Wang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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10
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Owens ACS, Van den Broeck M, De Cock R, Lewis SM. Behavioral responses of bioluminescent fireflies to artificial light at night. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.946640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescent insects have been the subject of scientific interest and popular wonder for millennia. But in the 21st century, the fireflies, click beetles, and cave glow-worms that brighten our nights are threatened by an unprecedented competitor: anthropogenic light pollution. Artificial lights can obscure the light-based signals on which these and other bioluminescent organisms rely to court mates, deter predators, and attract prey. In the following review we summarize a recent influx of research into the behavioral consequences of artificial light at night for firefly beetles (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), which we organize into four distinct courtship signaling systems. We conclude by highlighting several opportunities for further research to advance this emerging field and by offering a set of up-to-date lighting recommendations that can help land managers and other stakeholders balance public safety and ecological sustainability.
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11
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Catalan A, Höhna S, Lower SE, Duchen P. Inferring the demographic history of the North American firefly Photinus pyralis. J Evol Biol 2022; 35:1488-1499. [PMID: 36168726 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The firefly Photinus pyralis inhabits a wide range of latitudinal and ecological niches, with populations living from temperate to tropical habitats. Despite its broad distribution, its demographic history is unknown. In this study, we modelled and inferred different demographic scenarios for North American populations of P. pyralis, which were collected from Texas to New Jersey. We used a combination of ABC techniques (for multi-population/colonization analyses) and likelihood inference (dadi, StairwayPlot2, PoMo) for single-population demographic inference, which proved useful with our RAD data. We uncovered that the most ancestral North American population lays in Texas, which further colonized the Central region of the US and more recently the North Eastern coast. Our study confidently rejects a demographic scenario where the North Eastern populations colonized more southern populations until reaching Texas. To estimate the age of divergence between of P. pyralis, which provides deeper insights into the history of the entire species, we assembled a multi-locus phylogenetic data covering the genus Photinus. We uncovered that the phylogenetic node leading to P. pyralis lies at the end of the Miocene. Importantly, modelling the demographic history of North American P. pyralis serves as a null model of nucleotide diversity patterns in a widespread native insect species, which will serve in future studies for the detection of adaptation events in this firefly species, as well as a comparison for future studies of other North American insect taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catalan
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sebastian Höhna
- GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Paleontology & Geobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Sarah E Lower
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, USA
| | - Pablo Duchen
- Institute for Organismal and Molecular Evolutionary Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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12
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Gisseth Ladino Peñuela A, Botero JP, Lima da Silveira LF. First Phylogeny of Pseudolychnuris Reveals Its Polyphyly and a Staggering Case of Convergence at the Andean Paramos (Lampyridae: Lampyrini). INSECTS 2022; 13:697. [PMID: 36005322 PMCID: PMC9409330 DOI: 10.3390/insects13080697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
South America is likely the cradle of several New World firefly lineages but remains largely understudied. Despite several advances in firefly systematics in the Neotropical region, the Andean region has been largely unstudied for over a century. The Colombian Páramos are a critically threatened biodiversity hotspot that houses several endemic species, including the firefly genus Pseudolychnuris, with two species-P. vittata and P. suturalis. Here, by analyzing the phylogenetic relationships of Pseudolychnuris, we found that this genus is polyphyletic. Pseudolychnuris vittata and P. suturalis were found to be distantly related despite the striking similarity in outline and color pattern of males and females. We redescribe Pseudolychnuris and its type species P. vittata. Moreover, we revalidate Alychnus Kirsch, 1865 stat. rev. to accommodate A. suturaliscomb. nov., also redescribed here. We provide updated distribution maps and report field observations for both monotypic genera. Since adults visit flowers and interact with pollen and nectar, Pseudolychnuris and Alychnus may be occasional pollinators of Andean-endemic plants, a phenomenon previously neglected. Our findings reveal an interesting case of convergence between Pseudolychnuris and Alychnus-probably associated with life in the Páramos-and shed light on character evolution in the Photinini lineage of fireflies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angie Gisseth Ladino Peñuela
- Grupo de Investigación en Sistemática Molecular, Maestría en Ciencias-Entomología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Medellín, Calle 59A No. 63-20, Medellín 050034, Colombia;
| | - Juan Pablo Botero
- Grupo de Sistemática Molecular, Laboratorio de Entomología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 40-62, Bogotá 11001000, Colombia;
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13
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Owens ACS, Lewis SM. Artificial light impacts the mate success of female fireflies. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 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] [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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14
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Owens ACS, Lewis SM. Artificial light impacts the mate success of female fireflies. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 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] [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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15
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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] [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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16
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Campello L, Vaz S, Mermudes JRM, Ferreira ALD, Silveira LFL. Comparative morphology and key to Amydetinae genera, with description of three new firefly species (Coleoptera, Lampyridae). Zookeys 2022; 1114:131-166. [PMID: 36761699 PMCID: PMC9848971 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1114.77692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amydetinae is an exclusively Neotropical subfamily of fireflies, distributed among three genera: Amydetes Illiger, 1807, Magnoculus McDermott, 1964, and Memoan Silveira & Mermudes, 2013. Here, we describe three new species of Amydetinae: two belonging to Amydetes (A.alexi sp. nov. and A.marolae sp. nov.) and one to the previously monotypic Memoan (Me.conani sp. nov.). All three species are known only from the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. Endoskeletal structures of Memoan and Magnoculus species are described and compared with those of Amydetes for the first time. After studying the type material, Photinusfruhstorferi Pic, 1942 is transferred to Memoan, generating Memoanfruhstorferi comb. nov., and Me.ciceroi Silveira & Mermudes, 2013 syn. nov. is placed as a junior synonym. We also redescribe Magnoculusobscurus Olivier, 1885 and compare it to other species of genus and to other amydetine taxa to identify potential new diagnostic traits for the Amydetinae and its constituting genera. We provide an updated diagnosis for Memoan, illustrations for all four species, and a distribution map for the three new species, as well as a key to adult males of the three amydetine genera, and an updated key to Amydetes species based on males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Campello
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva–Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, A1–107, Bloco A, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Stephanie Vaz
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva–Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, A1–107, Bloco A, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - José R. M. Mermudes
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva–Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, A1–107, Bloco A, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - André L. D. Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva–Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, A1–107, Bloco A, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luiz F. L. Silveira
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, A1-107, Bloco A, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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17
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Dunn KN, Davis SR, Herhold HW, Stanger-Hall KF, Bybee SM, Branham MA. Morphological changes in the tracheal system associated with light organs of the firefly Photinus pyralis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) across life stages. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268112. [PMID: 35648743 PMCID: PMC9159635 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxygen is an important and often limiting reagent of a firefly’s bioluminescent chemical reaction. Therefore, the development of the tracheal system and its subsequent modification to support the function of firefly light organs are key to understanding this process. We employ micro-CT scanning, 3D rendering, and confocal microscopy to assess the abdominal tracheal system in Photinus pyralis from the external spiracles to the light organ’s internal tracheal brush, a feature named here for the first time. The abdominal spiracles in firefly larvae and pupae are of the biforous type, with a filter apparatus and appear to have an occlusor muscle to restrict airflow. The first abdominal spiracle in the adult firefly is enlarged and bears an occlusor muscle, and abdominal spiracles two through eight are small, with a small atrium and bilobed closing apparatus. Internal tracheal system features, including various branches, trunks, and viscerals, were homologized across life stages. In adults, the sexually dimorphic elaboration and increase in volume associated with tracheal features of luminous segments emphasizes the importance of gas exchange during the bioluminescent process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin N. Dunn
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Steven R. Davis
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Hollister W. Herhold
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Kathrin F. Stanger-Hall
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Seth M. Bybee
- Department of Biology, Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States of America
| | - Marc A. Branham
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
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18
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Fanter C, Madelaire C, Genereux DP, van Breukelen F, Levesque D, Hindle A. Epigenomics as a paradigm to understand the nuances of phenotypes. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:274619. [PMID: 35258621 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Quantifying the relative importance of genomic and epigenomic modulators of phenotype is a focal challenge in comparative physiology, but progress is constrained by availability of data and analytic methods. Previous studies have linked physiological features to coding DNA sequence, regulatory DNA sequence, and epigenetic state, but few have disentangled their relative contributions or unambiguously distinguished causative effects ('drivers') from correlations. Progress has been limited by several factors, including the classical approach of treating continuous and fluid phenotypes as discrete and static across time and environment, and difficulty in considering the full diversity of mechanisms that can modulate phenotype, such as gene accessibility, transcription, mRNA processing and translation. We argue that attention to phenotype nuance, progressing to association with epigenetic marks and then causal analyses of the epigenetic mechanism, will enable clearer evaluation of the evolutionary path. This would underlie an essential paradigm shift, and power the search for links between genomic and epigenomic features and physiology. Here, we review the growing knowledge base of gene-regulatory mechanisms and describe their links to phenotype, proposing strategies to address widely recognized challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Fanter
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Carla Madelaire
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Diane P Genereux
- Vertebrate Genome Biology, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Frank van Breukelen
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Danielle Levesque
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Allyson Hindle
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
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19
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Bocakova M, Campello-Gonçalves L, Da Silveira LFL. Phylogeny of the new subfamily Cladodinae: neotenic fireflies from the Neotropics (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Zool J Linn Soc 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Phylogenetic relationships of Vestini with extensive sampling were inferred using 37 taxa scored for 66 morphological characters. Consistent with recent DNA analyses, Vesta is found to be sister to Photurinae rendering Vestini monotypic. Conversely, our parsimony and model-based analyses robustly support the new subfamily Cladodinae established for Neotropical species of the former Vestini. The cladodine lineage includes Cladodes, Dodacles, Dryptelytra, Ledocas, plus the newly proposed Andecladodes gen. nov. and Brasilocladodes gen. nov. While Ledocas is mostly paraphyletic, Cladodes is polyphyletic and, therefore, Cladodes s.s. is introduced. Further, most trees presented a distinct Nyctocrepis, which is revalidated and includes the subgenus Fenestratocladodes (transferred from Cladodes). Finally, a highly supported crown clade designated as the Dodacles lineage is regularly recovered, splitting into two sister-clades: (1) Dodacles, Brasilocladodes and (2) Dryptelytra, C. proteus, C. solieri and Andecladodes. Four new Andean species are described: Andecladodes cosangensis sp. nov., A. ovalis sp. nov., Dryptelytra pampahermosae sp. nov. and Ledocas pikillactanus sp. nov. To recover the monophyly of genera, the following new combinations are proposed: Brasilocladodes carinatuscomb. nov., Brasilocladodes delalandeicomb. nov., Brasilocladodes illigericomb. nov., Dodacles lateraliscomb. nov. and Dodacles nigercomb. nov. (transferred from Cladodes); Ledocas emissuscomb. nov., Ledocas remixtuscomb. nov. (from Dodacles); Cladodes proteus comb. nov. (from Ledocas) Nyctocrepis malleri comb. nov. and Nyctocrepi stellatacomb. nov. (from Cladodes); and Cladodes cincticolliscomb. nov. and Cladodes melanuruscomb. nov. (from Vesta).
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Affiliation(s)
- Milada Bocakova
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Palacky University, Purkrabska 2, CZ-77140 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lucas Campello-Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia,Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, A1-107, Bloco A, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundăo, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil
| | - Luiz Felipe Lima Da Silveira
- Biology Department, Western Carolina University, 206 Stillwell Building, 1 University Drive Cullowhee, NC 28723, USA
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20
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Ge XY, Liu T, Kang Y, Liu HY, Yang YX. First complete mitochondrial genomes of Ototretinae (Coleoptera, Lampyridae) with evolutionary insights into the gene rearrangement. Genomics 2022; 114:110305. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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21
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Fukuda M, Ujiie R, Inoue T, Chen Q, Cao C, Ding L, Mori N, Mori A. Do predators prefer toxic animals? A case of chemical discrimination by an Asian snake that sequesters firefly toxins. Curr Zool 2021; 68:627-634. [PMID: 36743225 PMCID: PMC9892790 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoab102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Several Asian natricine snakes of the genus Rhabdophis feed on toads and sequester steroidal cardiac toxins known as bufadienolides (BDs) from them. A recent study revealed that species of the Rhabdophis nuchalis Group ingest lampyrine fireflies to sequester BDs. Although several species of fireflies are distributed in the habitat of the R. nuchalis Group, only lampyrine fireflies, which have BDs, are included in the diet of these snakes. Thus, we hypothesized that the R. nuchalis Group chemically distinguishes fireflies that have BDs from those that do not have BDs. We also predicted that the R. nuchalis Group detects BDs as the chemical cue of toxin source. To test these predictions, we conducted 3 behavioral experiments using Rhabdophis chiwen, which belongs to the R. nuchalis Group. In the first experiment, R. chiwen showed a moderate tongue flicking response to cinobufagin, a compound of BDs. On the other hand, the snake showed a higher response to the chemical stimuli of lampyrine fireflies (BD fireflies) than those of lucioline fireflies (non-BD fireflies). In the second experiment, in which we provided live BD and non-BD fireflies, the snake voluntarily consumed only the former. In the third, a Y-maze experiment, the snake tended to select the chemical trail of BD fireflies more frequently than that of non-BD fireflies. These results demonstrated that R. chiwen discriminates BD fireflies from non-BD fireflies, but the prediction that BDs are involved in this discrimination was not fully supported. To identify the proximate mechanisms of the recognition of novel toxic prey in the R. nuchalis Group, further investigation is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Fukuda
- Address correspondence to Masaya Fukuda and Qin Chen. E-mail: and E-mail:
| | - Rinako Ujiie
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Takato Inoue
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Qin Chen
- Address correspondence to Masaya Fukuda and Qin Chen. E-mail: and E-mail:
| | - Chengquan Cao
- College of Life Sciences, Leshan Normal University, Leshan, Sichuan 614000, China
| | - Li Ding
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Naoki Mori
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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22
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Abu Seri N, Abd Rahman A. Fireflies in South East Asia: Species Diversity, Distribution, and Habitat (2015-2021). PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE 2021; 44. [DOI: 10.47836/pjtas.44.4.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Fireflies are one of the most famous luminous insects that emit bioluminescence. The most famous fireflies in Southeast Asia are Pteroptyx , of the order Coleoptera and the Lampyridae family. This review paper combined the data on the species diversity and firefly distribution in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam published in 2015-2021. Some countries have limited data and no studies to identify firefly species and their habitat from 2015 to 2021; the data before 2015 was used. Furthermore, the lack of studies by Southeast Asian researchers regarding the richness of firefly species has been reviewed. Malaysian and Thailand researchers are among the forerunners in the study related to fireflies in the Southeast Asian region compared to other Southeast Asian countries. Lastly, not much is known about the display trees or habitat of fireflies in many areas such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. More studies are warranted to be conducted in the future on firefly species and their habitat.
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23
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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] [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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24
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On the intertidal firefly genus Micronaspis Green, 1948, with a new species and a phylogeny of Cratomorphini based on adult and larval traits (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). ZOOL ANZ 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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25
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Krivoruchko K, Goldshtein A, Boonman A, Eitan O, Ben-Simon J, Thong VD, Yovel Y. Fireflies produce ultrasonic clicks during flight as a potential aposematic anti-bat signal. iScience 2021; 24:102194. [PMID: 33733061 PMCID: PMC7937554 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fireflies are known for emitting light signals for intraspecific communication. However, in doing so, they reveal themselves to many potential nocturnal predators from a large distance. Therefore, many fireflies evolved unpalatable compounds and probably use their light signals as anti-predator aposematic signals. Fireflies are occasionally attacked by predators despite their warning flashes. Bats are among the most substantial potential firefly predators. Using their echolocation, bats might detect a firefly from a short distance and attack it in between two flashes. We thus aimed to examine whether fireflies use additional measures of warning, specifically focusing on sound signals. We recorded four species from different genera of fireflies in Vietnam and Israel and found that all of them generated ultrasonic clicks centered around bats' hearing range. Clicks were synchronized with the wingbeat and are probably produced by the wings. We hypothesize that ultrasonic clicks can serve as part of a multimodal aposematic display.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenia Krivoruchko
- Department of Neuroscience, Rappaport Research Institute and Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Aya Goldshtein
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Arjan Boonman
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofri Eitan
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jonathan Ben-Simon
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Vu Dinh Thong
- Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, VAST, Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội, Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, VAST, Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội, Vietnam
| | - Yossi Yovel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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26
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Two new records of the subfamily Luciolinae Lacordaire, 1857 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) with a checklist of genus Abscondita from India. JOURNAL OF ASIA-PACIFIC BIODIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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27
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Li YD, Kundrata R, Tihelka E, Liu Z, Huang D, Cai C. Cretophengodidae, a new Cretaceous beetle family, sheds light on the evolution of bioluminescence. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20202730. [PMID: 33468008 PMCID: PMC7893276 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescent beetles of the superfamily Elateroidea (fireflies, fire beetles, glow-worms) are the most speciose group of terrestrial light-producing animals. The evolution of bioluminescence in elateroids is associated with unusual morphological modifications, such as soft-bodiedness and neoteny, but the fragmentary nature of the fossil record discloses little about the origin of these adaptations. We report the discovery of a new bioluminescent elateroid beetle family from the mid-Cretaceous of northern Myanmar (ca 99 Ma), Cretophengodidae fam. nov. Cretophengodes azari gen. et sp. nov. belongs to the bioluminescent lampyroid clade, and would appear to represent a transitional fossil linking the soft-bodied Phengodidae + Rhagophthalmidae clade and hard-bodied elateroids. The fossil male possesses a light organ on the abdomen which presumably served a defensive function, documenting a Cretaceous radiation of bioluminescent beetles coinciding with the diversification of major insectivore groups such as frogs and stem-group birds. The discovery adds a key branch to the elateroid tree of life and sheds light on the evolution of soft-bodiedness and the historical biogeography of elateroid beetles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Da Li
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, and Centre for Excellence in Life and Palaeoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Robin Kundrata
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Erik Tihelka
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Zhenhua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
- Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO National Research Collections Australia, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Diying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, and Centre for Excellence in Life and Palaeoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenyang Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, and Centre for Excellence in Life and Palaeoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, People's Republic of China
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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28
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Oba Y, Konishi K, Yano D, Shibata H, Kato D, Shirai T. Resurrecting the ancient glow of the fireflies. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/49/eabc5705. [PMID: 33268373 PMCID: PMC7710365 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc5705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The color of firefly bioluminescence is determined by the structure of luciferase. Firefly luciferase genes have been isolated from more than 30 species, producing light ranging in color from green to orange-yellow. Here, we reconstructed seven ancestral firefly luciferase genes, characterized the enzymatic properties of the recombinant proteins, and determined the crystal structures of the gene from ancestral Lampyridae. Results showed that the synthetic luciferase for the last common firefly ancestor exhibited green light caused by a spatial constraint on the luciferin molecule in enzyme, while fatty acyl-CoA synthetic activity, an original function of firefly luciferase, was diminished in exchange. All known firefly species are bioluminescent in the larvae, with a common ancestor arising approximately 100 million years ago. Combined, our findings propose that, within the mid-Cretaceous forest, the common ancestor of fireflies evolved green light luciferase via trade-off of the original function, which was likely aposematic warning display against nocturnal predation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Oba
- Department of Environmental Biology, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Japan.
| | - K Konishi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Japan
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - D Yano
- Department of Environmental Biology, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Japan
| | - H Shibata
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - D Kato
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - T Shirai
- Department of Bioscience, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama 526-0829, Japan.
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29
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Vaz S, Mermudes JRM, Paiva PC, Da Silveira LFL. Systematic review and phylogeny of the firefly genus Dilychnia (Lampyridae: Lampyrinae), with notes on geographical range. Zool J Linn Soc 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Dilychnia (Lampyridae: Lampyrinae) is a poorly known Neotropical genus of lampyrid firefly. Descriptions of Dilychnia species were traditionally based on differences in colour pattern, which are usually not reliable for species discrimination. Here, we review and redescribe the genus Dilychnia and its species, after examining the type material of all species, and we present the first phylogenetic analysis for the group, including 70 morphological characters and 15 species. After the proposal of new taxonomic combinations, Dilychnia was recovered as monophyletic with high support. We provide a key to species identification, updated geographical ranges and illustrations of diagnostic features for all species. We transfer Lucidota propinqua and Photinus succensus to Dilychnia and describe the new species Dilychnia dumasi sp. nov. We report, for the first time, that these three taxa are nocturnal and flash with an orange-yellow light. Phenotypic diversity within the genus is most pronounced in characters involved in mate tracking (i.e. antennae, eyes and light organs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Vaz
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Polychaeta, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - José Ricardo M Mermudes
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Paulo C Paiva
- Laboratório de Polychaeta, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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30
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Dias G, Lino-Neto J, Dallai R, Mercati D, Lupetti P. The sperm ultrastructure of the click beetles (Elateridae) and related groups (Buprestidae and Lampyridae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2020; 59:100978. [PMID: 32818810 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2020.100978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we describe the sperm morphology of 11 species of Elateriformia (9 elaterids, 1 lampyrid and 1 buprestid) using transmission electron microscopy. All species exhibited sperm that is not usually observed in insects in general. The most highlighted features are the displacement of the nucleus running parallel to the flagellar components, hitherto observed only in coccinellid and carabid beetles, and the presence of thin and dense structures along the nucleus, probably derived from the centriole adjunct, a feature that is so far exclusive to these insects. The other structures are a typical axoneme for insects with 9 + 9 + 2 microtubules, in a position diametrically opposite relative to the nucleus, two slender, symmetrical mitochondrial derivatives and a pair of discrete accessory bodies. This arrangement provides a bilaterally symmetrical flagellum, which favourably influences sperm hydrodynamics, as will be discussed. The occurrence of this unusual structural arrangement in the sperm of species from superfamilies that are phylogenetically as distant as Elateroidea and Buprestoidea support the monophyly of the infraorder Elateriformia, as proposed by some previous molecular studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenda Dias
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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31
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Zhang R, He J, Dong Z, Liu G, Yin Y, Zhang X, Li Q, Ren Y, Yang Y, Liu W, Chen X, Xia W, Duan K, Hao F, Lin Z, Yang J, Chang Z, Zhao R, Wan W, Lu S, Peng Y, Ge S, Wang W, Li X. Genomic and experimental data provide new insights into luciferin biosynthesis and bioluminescence evolution in fireflies. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15882. [PMID: 32985577 PMCID: PMC7522259 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72900-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fireflies are among the most charismatic insects for their spectacular bioluminescence, but the origin and evolution of bioluminescence remain elusive. Especially, the genic basis of luciferin (D-luciferin) biosynthesis and light patterns is largely unknown. Here, we present the high-quality reference genomes of two fireflies Lamprigera yunnana (1053 Mb) and Abscondita terminalis (501 Mb) with great differences in both morphology and luminous behavior. We sequenced the transcriptomes and proteomes of luminous organs of two species. We created the CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutants of Abdominal B gene without luminous organs in the larvae of A. terminalis and sequenced the transcriptomes of mutants and wild-types. Combining gene expression analyses with comparative genomics, we propose a more complete luciferin synthesis pathway, and confirm the convergent evolution of bioluminescence in insects. Using experiments, the function of the firefly acyl-CoA thioesterase (ACOT1) to convert L-luciferin to D-luciferin was validated for the first time. Comparisons of three-dimension reconstruction of luminous organs and their differentially expressed genes among two species suggest that two positive genes in the calcium signaling pathway and structural difference of luminous organs may play an important role in the evolution of flash pattern. Altogether, our results provide important resources for further exploring bioluminescence in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Zhang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Jinwu He
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhiwei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Guichun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Yuan Yin
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xinying Zhang
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Li
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yandong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Yongzhi Yang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Xianqing Chen
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenhao Xia
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kang Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Fei Hao
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zeshan Lin
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Yang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhou Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Ruoping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Wenting Wan
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Sihan Lu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanqiong Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, 666303, Yunnan, China
| | - Siqin Ge
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Wen Wang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China.
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China.
| | - Xueyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China.
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32
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Kok PJR, van Doorn L, Dezfoulian R. Predation by non-bioluminescent firefly larvae on a tepui-summit endemic toad. Curr Biol 2020; 29:R1170-R1171. [PMID: 31743668 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Tepuis are Precambrian sandstone tabletop mountains in South America that can reach up to ∼3,000 m in elevation. Their highest summits are both physiographically and ecologically isolated from the surrounding upland savannah and lush tropical rainforest, and they face particularly hostile, challenging environmental conditions [1,2] (Figure 1A). Taxa thriving on high tepui summits must adapt to resource-limited and highly competitive ecosystems. The toad genus Oreophrynella is exclusively found on tepui slopes and summits [3] and is particularly well-adapted to the tepui top environment. We here report on an unanticipated and possibly large-scale predation on this endemic toad by non-bioluminescent firefly larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe J R Kok
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Loïc van Doorn
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Raheleh Dezfoulian
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
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33
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Silveira LFL, Khattar G, Vaz S, Wilson VA, Souto PM, Mermudes JRM, Stanger-Hall KF, Macedo MV, Monteiro RF. Natural history of the fireflies of the Serra dos Órgãos mountain range (Brazil: Rio de Janeiro) – one of the ‘hottest’ firefly spots on Earth, with a key to genera (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). J NAT HIST 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2020.1749323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luiz F L Silveira
- Department of Biology, Cullowhee, NC, USA
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Khattar
- Laboratory of Community and Quantitative Ecology, Biology Department, Concordia University, Loyola Campus, Montreal, Canada
| | - Stephanie Vaz
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Vinicius A. Wilson
- Laboratório de Orthopterologia, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Paula M. Souto
- Departamento de Ciências e Engenharia de Biossistemas (DCEB), Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José R. M. Mermudes
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Margarete V. Macedo
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ricardo F. Monteiro
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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34
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Nunes V, Souto P, Minelli A, Stanger-Hall K, Silveira L. Antennomere numbers in fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae): unique patterns and tentative explanations. ZOOL ANZ 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2020.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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35
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Kundrata R, Blank SM, Prosvirov AS, Sormova E, Gimmel ML, Vondráček D, Kramp K. One less mystery in Coleoptera systematics: the position of Cydistinae (Elateriformia incertae sedis) resolved by multigene phylogenetic analysis. Zool J Linn Soc 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Cydistinae are a rare monogeneric beetle lineage from Asia with a convoluted history of classification, historically placed in various groups within the series Elateriformia. However, their position has never been rigorously tested. To resolve this long-standing puzzle, we are the first to present sequences of two nuclear and two mitochondrial markers for four species of Cydistinae to determine their phylogenetic position. We included these sequences in two rounds of analyses: one including a broad Elateriformia dataset to test placement at the superfamily/family level, and a second, including a richer, targeted sampling of presumed close relatives. Our results strongly support Cydistinae as sister to Phengodidae in a clade with Rhagophthalmidae. Based on our molecular phylogenetic results and examination of morphological characters, we hereby transfer the formerly unplaced Cydistinae into Phengodidae and provide diagnoses for the newly circumscribed Phengodidae, Cydistinae and Cydistus. Since both Phengodidae and Rhagophthalmidae have bioluminescent larvae and strongly neotenic females, similar features can be hypothesized for Cydistinae. Additionally, Cydistus minor is transferred to the new genus Microcydistus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Kundrata
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Stephan M Blank
- Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Alexander S Prosvirov
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Eliska Sormova
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | | | - Dominik Vondráček
- Department of Entomology, National Museum, Praha 9 – Horní Počernice, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Katja Kramp
- Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut, Müncheberg, Germany
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36
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Ferreira VS, Keller O, Branham MA, Ivie MA. Molecular data support the placement of the enigmatic Cheguevaria as a subfamily of Lampyridae (Insecta: Coleoptera). Zool J Linn Soc 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Since the description of the genus Cheguevaria as incertae sedis (Lampyridae), the placement of these beetles has been uncertain. This study is the first to address the placement of this genus based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis. We used three genes (18S rRNA, rrnl mitochondrial DNA and cox1 mitochondrial DNA) and a maximum likelihood approach with W-IQ-TREE to support Cheguevaria as a member of the Lampyridae and recognize it as the sole genus in the new subfamily Cheguevariinae stat. nov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius S Ferreira
- Montana Entomology Collection, Marsh Laboratory, Room 50, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Oliver Keller
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Marc A Branham
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Michael A Ivie
- Montana Entomology Collection, Marsh Laboratory, Room 50, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
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Chen X, Dong Z, Liu G, He J, Zhao R, Wang W, Peng Y, Li X. Phylogenetic analysis provides insights into the evolution of Asian fireflies and adult bioluminescence. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 140:106600. [PMID: 31445200 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Fireflies are one of the best-known examples of luminescent organisms. The limited geographic distribution and rarity of some firefly genera have hindered molecular phylogenetic analysis, resulting in uncertainty in regard to firefly phylogeny. Here, using genome skimming next-generation sequencing, we sequenced 23 Asian firefly species from 15 genera (Lampyridae: 14; Rhagophthalmidae: one) and assembled their mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) and nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) repeat unit. The mitogenomes (including 15 mitochondrial genes: COX1-3, ATP6&8, ND1-6&4L, CYTB, 12S, and 16S) were recovered for almost all 23 species; furthermore, three regions of the nuclear rDNA repeat unit (18S, 28S, and 5.8S) were recovered for 22 out of the 23 species. The mitogenomes of 11 genera and 22 species as well as the complete rDNA from 22 species are reported here for the first time. Combined with previously published sequences of mitochondrial and rDNA coding regions, 166 species (170 populations with four overlapping in Lampyridae) were included in the current analyses. We selected different species groups and coding regions to infer phylogenies, and then employed tree certainty (TC) and internode certainty (IC) to quantify any phylogenetic incongruence. Phylogenetic analysis of 18 coding regions (15 mitochondrial genes and three regions of the nuclear rDNA repeat unit) from different species groups showed that the 144-species selection group (excluding 22 species outside Lampyridae) had relatively high TC (101.39). Further phylogenetic analysis of the 144 species using different coding regions indicated that the phylogeny of the 13 coding regions (10 mitochondrial genes: COX1-2, ATP6&8, ND1, ND4-5, CYTB, 12S and 16S; three rDNA regions: 18S, 5.8S, and 28S) demonstrated higher TC (103.02) than the phylogenies based on the 18 coding regions (TC = 101.39), conserved-regions (c-regions, i.e., 12S, 16S, COX1, 18S, and 28S) (TC = 95.11), or conserved-sites (c-sites, TC = 92.31) for the mitochondrial genes. In contrast, the c-sites strengthened the deeper nodes of the 144-species phylogeny compared to the c-regions. All of the 144-species phylogenies using different coding regions (except the c-regions) consistently recovered the monophyly of each of the three luminous families and their combination (Lampyridae, Rhagophthalmidae, and Phengodidae) with high IC support. Our phylogenetic analyses clarified the position of firefly genera Lamprigera, Vesta, Stenocladius, Pyrocoelia, Diaphanes, Abscondita, Pygoluciola, Emeia, Pristolycus, and Menghuoius. We also inferred the evolutionary pattern of adult bioluminescence in Lampyridae based on the phylogenies of 166 and 144 species. Our data suggest that the common ancestor of Lampyridae possessed adult bioluminescence, with a higher loss rate than gain rate of bioluminescence during its lineage evolution. Our results provide insight into Asian firefly phylogeny, and also enrich mitogenome and rDNA data resources for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China
| | - Zhiwei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Guichun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China; Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Jinwu He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China; Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Ruoping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Wen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China; Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China; Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China.
| | - Yanqiong Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China.
| | - Xueyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China.
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Kundrata R, Bocak L. Molecular phylogeny reveals the gradual evolutionary transition to soft-bodiedness in click-beetles and identifies sub-Saharan Africa as a cradle of diversity for Drilini (Coleoptera: Elateridae). Zool J Linn Soc 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Drilini are soft-bodied predatory click-beetles (Elateridae: Agrypninae) with incompletely metamorphosed females. Due to divergent morphology, their classification has been contentious. We present the first densely sampled molecular phylogeny of Drilini based on nuclear and mitochondrial markers. Altogether, 44 species, representing all genera, were analysed using maximum likelihood and the Bayesian approach. Molecular analyses recovered five major clades that were also well supported by morphology. Afrotropical lineages mark deep splits. Most Palearctic species belong to a terminal clade. A few species of the predominantly Afrotropical Selasia are distributed from Arabia up to the Himalayas and Thailand. The origin of Drilini is dated to the Late Eocene (~35.5 Mya) and rapid radiation is identified from the Eocene/Oligocene to the Middle Miocene. We describe the gradual transformation of male morphological traits, e.g. the level of sclerotization, structure of mouthparts, loss of the thoracic interlocking mechanism, shortened elytra and expanded larviform abdomen. Five new genera, Austroselasia, Habeshaselasia, Illubaboria, Malacodrilus and Mashaselasia are proposed. Latoselasia, previously a subgenus of Wittmerselasia, is elevated to the genus rank. Five new species, Habeshaselasia nekemtensis, H. illubaborensis, Illubaboria bicolor, Malacodrilus hajeki and Mashaselasia aethiopica are described.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ladislav Bocak
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Liu G, Zhang R, Hou Q, He J, Dong Z, Zhao R, Wang W, Li X. Cloning and Characterization of Luciferase from the Chinese Firefly
Lamprigera yunnana. Photochem Photobiol 2019; 95:1186-1194. [DOI: 10.1111/php.13109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gui‐Chun Liu
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Ru Zhang
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an China
| | - Qing‐Bai Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Jin‐Wu He
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an China
| | - Zhi‐Wei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Ruo‐Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Wen Wang
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Xue‐Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
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Phylogenomic analyses and divergence time estimation of Elateroidea (Coleoptera) based on RNA-Seq data. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2019; 30:283-289. [PMID: 30991174 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence, the emission of visible light in a living organism, is an intriguing phenomenon observed in different species and environments. In terrestrial organisms, the bioluminescence is observed mainly in beetles of the Elateroidea superfamily (Coleoptera). Several phylogenetic studies have been used different strategies to propose a scenario for the origin and evolution of the bioluminescence within this group, however some of them showed incongruences, mainly about the relationship of the bioluminescent families. In order to increase the number of molecular markers available for Elateroidea species and to propose a more accurate phylogeny, with high supported topology, we employed the Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) methodology to perform the RNA-Seq analysis of luminescent (Elateridae, Phengodidae, Rhagophthalmidae, and Lampyridae) and non-luminescent (Cantharidae) species of Neotropical beetles. We used the RNA-Seq data to construct a calibrated phylogeny of Elateroidea superfamily using a large number of nuclear molecular markers. The results indicate Lampyridae and Phengodidae/Rhagophthalmidae as sister-groups, suggesting that the bioluminescence evolved later in Elateridae than other families (Lampyridae, Phengodidae, and Rhagophthalmidae), and indicating the Upper Cretaceous as the period for the main diversification of Elateroidea bioluminescent species.
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Sriboonlert A, Wonnapinij P. Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of the firefly, Inflata indica (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) and the first evidence of heteroplasmy in fireflies. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 121:671-676. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.10.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Souto PM, Campello L, Khattar G, Miras Mermudes JR, Monteiro RF, Lima da Silveira LF. How to design a predatory firefly? Lessons from the Photurinae (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). ZOOL ANZ 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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43
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Kusy D, Motyka M, Bocek M, Vogler AP, Bocak L. Genome sequences identify three families of Coleoptera as morphologically derived click beetles (Elateridae). Sci Rep 2018; 8:17084. [PMID: 30459416 PMCID: PMC6244081 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35328-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Plastoceridae Crowson, 1972, Drilidae Blanchard, 1845 and Omalisidae Lacordaire, 1857 (Elateroidea) are families of the Coleoptera with obscure phylogenetic relationships and modified morphology showing neotenic traits such as soft bodies, reduced wing cases and larviform females. We shotgun sequenced genomes of Plastocerus, Drilus and Omalisus and incorporated them into data matrices of 66 and 4202 single-copy nuclear genes representing Elateroidea. Phylogenetic analyses indicate their terminal positions within the broadly defined well-sclerotized and fully metamorphosed Elateridae and thus Omalisidae should now be considered as Omalisinae stat. nov. in Elateridae Leach, 1815. The results support multiple independent origins of incomplete metamorphosis in Elateridae and indicate the parallel evolution of morphological and ecological traits. Unlike other neotenic elateroids derived from the supposedly pre-adapted aposematically coloured and unpalatable soft-bodied elateroids, such as fireflies (Lampyridae) and net-winged beetles (Lycidae), omalisids and drilids evolved from well-sclerotized click beetles. These findings suggest sudden morphological shifts through incomplete metamorphosis, with important implications for macroevolution, including reduced speciation rate and high extinction risk in unstable habitats. Precise phylogenetic placement is necessary for studies of the molecular mechanisms of ontogenetic shifts leading to profoundly changed morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Kusy
- Laboratory of Molecular Systematics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 50, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Motyka
- Laboratory of Molecular Systematics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 50, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Matej Bocek
- Laboratory of Molecular Systematics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 50, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Alfried P Vogler
- Department of Life Science, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
- Department of Life Science, Silwood Park Campus, Imperial College London Ascot, London, SL5 7BD, UK
| | - Ladislav Bocak
- Laboratory of Molecular Systematics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 50, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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Fallon TR, Lower SE, Chang CH, Bessho-Uehara M, Martin GJ, Bewick AJ, Behringer M, Debat HJ, Wong I, Day JC, Suvorov A, Silva CJ, Stanger-Hall KF, Hall DW, Schmitz RJ, Nelson DR, Lewis SM, Shigenobu S, Bybee SM, Larracuente AM, Oba Y, Weng JK. Firefly genomes illuminate parallel origins of bioluminescence in beetles. eLife 2018; 7:e36495. [PMID: 30324905 PMCID: PMC6191289 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Fireflies and their luminous courtships have inspired centuries of scientific study. Today firefly luciferase is widely used in biotechnology, but the evolutionary origin of bioluminescence within beetles remains unclear. To shed light on this long-standing question, we sequenced the genomes of two firefly species that diverged over 100 million-years-ago: the North American Photinus pyralis and Japanese Aquatica lateralis. To compare bioluminescent origins, we also sequenced the genome of a related click beetle, the Caribbean Ignelater luminosus, with bioluminescent biochemistry near-identical to fireflies, but anatomically unique light organs, suggesting the intriguing hypothesis of parallel gains of bioluminescence. Our analyses support independent gains of bioluminescence in fireflies and click beetles, and provide new insights into the genes, chemical defenses, and symbionts that evolved alongside their luminous lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R Fallon
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Department of BiologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Sarah E Lower
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsCornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
- Department of BiologyBucknell UniversityLewisburgUnited States
| | - Ching-Ho Chang
- Department of BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - Manabu Bessho-Uehara
- Department of Environmental BiologyChubu UniversityKasugaiJapan
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural SciencesNagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research InstituteMoss LandingUnited States
| | - Gavin J Martin
- Department of BiologyBrigham Young UniversityProvoUnited States
| | - Adam J Bewick
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | - Megan Behringer
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of EvolutionArizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
| | - Humberto J Debat
- Center of Agronomic Research, National Institute of Agricultural TechnologyCórdobaArgentina
| | - Isaac Wong
- Department of BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - John C Day
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH)WallingfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Anton Suvorov
- Department of BiologyBrigham Young UniversityProvoUnited States
| | - Christian J Silva
- Department of BiologyUniversity of RochesterRochesterUnited States
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of California DavisDavisUnited States
| | | | - David W Hall
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | | | - David R Nelson
- Department of Microbiology Immunology and BiochemistryUniversity of Tennessee HSCMemphisUnited States
| | - Sara M Lewis
- Department of BiologyTufts UniversityMedfordUnited States
| | - Shuji Shigenobu
- NIBB Core Research FacilitiesNational Institute for Basic BiologyOkazakiJapan
| | - Seth M Bybee
- Department of BiologyBrigham Young UniversityProvoUnited States
| | | | - Yuichi Oba
- Department of Environmental BiologyChubu UniversityKasugaiJapan
| | - Jing-Ke Weng
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Department of BiologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
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Leavell BC, Rubin JJ, McClure CJW, Miner KA, Branham MA, Barber JR. Fireflies thwart bat attack with multisensory warnings. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2018; 4:eaat6601. [PMID: 30140743 PMCID: PMC6105302 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aat6601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Many defended animals prevent attacks by displaying warning signals that are highly conspicuous to their predators. We hypothesized that bioluminescing fireflies, widely known for their vibrant courtship signals, also advertise their noxiousness to echolocating bats. To test this postulate, we pit naïve big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) against chemically defended fireflies (Photinus pyralis) to examine whether and how these beetles transmit salient warnings to bats. We demonstrate that these nocturnal predators learn to avoid noxious fireflies using either vision or echolocation and that bats learn faster when integrating information from both sensory streams-providing fundamental evidence that multisensory integration increases the efficacy of warning signals in a natural predator-prey system. Our findings add support for a warning signal origin of firefly bioluminescence and suggest that bat predation may have driven evolution of firefly bioluminescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C. Leavell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Juliette J. Rubin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Christopher J. W. McClure
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
- The Peregrine Fund, Boise, ID 83709, USA
| | - Krystie A. Miner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Marc A. Branham
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Jesse R. Barber
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
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Liu GC, Dong ZW, He JW, Zhao RP, Wang W, Li XY. Genome size of 14 species of fireflies (Insecta, Coleoptera, Lampyridae). Zool Res 2017; 38:449-458. [PMID: 29280364 PMCID: PMC5767557 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2017.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic genome size data are important both as the basis for comparative research into genome evolution and as estimators of the cost and difficulty of genome sequencing programs for non-model organisms. In this study, the genome size of 14 species of fireflies (Lampyridae) (two genera in Lampyrinae, three genera in Luciolinae, and one genus in subfamily incertae sedis) were estimated by propidium iodide (PI)-based flow cytometry. The haploid genome sizes of Lampyridae ranged from 0. 42 to 1. 31 pg, a 3. 1-fold span. Genome sizes of the fireflies varied within the tested subfamilies and genera. Lamprigera and Pyrocoelia species had large and small genome sizes, respectively. No correlation was found between genome size and morphological traits such as body length, body width, eye width, and antennal length. Our data provide additional information on genome size estimation of the firefly family Lampyridae. Furthermore, this study will help clarify the cost and difficulty of genome sequencing programs for non-model organisms and will help promote studies on firefly genome evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Jin-Wu He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ruo-Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Wen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience & Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Xue-Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China.
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Deyrup ST, Risteen RG, Tonyai KK, Farrar MA, D'Antonio BE, Ahmed ZB, Christofel BT, Howells NR, Smedley SR. Escape into Winter: Does a Phenological Shift byEllychnia corrusca(Winter Firefly) Shield it from a Specialist Predator (Photuris)? Northeast Nat (Steuben) 2017. [DOI: 10.1656/045.024.s717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen T. Deyrup
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Siena College, Loudonville, NY 12211
| | | | | | | | | | - Zenab B. Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Siena College, Loudonville, NY 12211
| | - Brian T. Christofel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Siena College, Loudonville, NY 12211
| | - Nicole R. Howells
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Siena College, Loudonville, NY 12211
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