1
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Amaral DT, Bonatelli IAS. Opsin diversity and evolution in the Elateroidea superfamily: Insights from transcriptome data. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:112-123. [PMID: 37837289 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Vision plays a vital biological role in organisms, which depends on the visual pigment molecules (opsin plus chromophore). The expansion or reduction of spectral channels in the organisms is determined by distinct opsin classes and copy numbers resulting from duplication or loss. Within Coleoptera, the superfamily Elateroidea exhibits a great diversity of morphological and physiological characteristics, such as bioluminescence, making this group an important model for opsin studies. While molecular and physiological studies have been conducted in Lampyridae and Elateridae, other families remain unexplored. Here, we reused transcriptome datasets from Elateroidea species, including members of Elateridae, Lampyridae, Phengodidae, Rhagophthalmidae, Cantharidae, and Lycidae, to detect the diversity of putative opsin genes in this superfamily. In addition, we tested the signature of sites under positive selection in both ultraviolet (UV)- and long-wavelength (LW)-opsin classes. Although the visual system in Elateroidea is considered simple, we observed events of duplication in LW- and UV-opsin, as well as the absence of UV-opsin in distinct families, such as larval Phengodidae individuals. We detected different copies of LW-opsins that were highly expressed in the eyes of distinct tribes of fireflies, indicating the possible selection of each copy during the evolution of the sexual mating to avoid spectrum overlapping. In Elateridae, we found that the bioluminescent species had a distinct LW-opsin copy compared with the non-bioluminescent species, suggesting events of duplication and loss. The signature of positive selection showed only one residue associated with the chromophore binding site in the Elateroidea, which may produce a bathochromic shift in the wavelength absorption spectra in this family. Overall, this study brings important content and fills gaps regarding opsin evolution in Elateroidea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo T Amaral
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC), São Paulo, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnociências, Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isabel A S Bonatelli
- Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Diadema, Brazil
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2
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Zheng Y, Ghosh S, Das S. A Butterfly-Inspired Multisensory Neuromorphic Platform for Integration of Visual and Chemical Cues. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023:e2307380. [PMID: 38069632 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Unisensory cues are often insufficient for animals to effectively engage in foraging, mating, and predatory activities. In contrast, integration of cues collected from multiple sensory organs enhances the overall perceptual experience and thereby facilitates better decision-making. Despite the importance of multisensory integration in animals, the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and neuromorphic computing has primarily focused on processing unisensory information. This lack of emphasis on multisensory integration can be attributed to the absence of a miniaturized hardware platform capable of co-locating multiple sensing modalities and enabling in-sensor and near-sensor processing. In this study, this limitation is addressed by utilizing the chemo-sensing properties of graphene and the photo-sensing capability of monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) to create a multisensory platform for visuochemical integration. Additionally, the in-memory-compute capability of MoS2 memtransistors is leveraged to develop neural circuits that facilitate multisensory decision-making. The visuochemical integration platform is inspired by intricate courtship of Heliconius butterflies, where female species rely on the integration of visual cues (such as wing color) and chemical cues (such as pheromones) generated by the male butterflies for mate selection. The butterfly-inspired visuochemical integration platform has significant implications in both robotics and the advancement of neuromorphic computing, going beyond unisensory intelligence and information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikai Zheng
- Engineering Science and Mechanics, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Subir Ghosh
- Engineering Science and Mechanics, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Saptarshi Das
- Engineering Science and Mechanics, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Electrical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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3
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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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4
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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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5
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A New Genus and Two New Species of Fireflies from South America (Lampyridae: Lampyrinae: Photinini). DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14111005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Lampyridae taxonomy has traditionally relied on a few characters now deemed to be highly homoplastic, and their classification—especially at the genus level—is yet to be consolidated based on rigorous phylogenetic analyses. Recent studies highlighted the value of genitalic trait variation in the evolution in Lampyridae, particularly for the rich and poorly known South American Photinini fauna. Here, we describe a new genus, with a new species from the Cerrado and another one from the Atlantic Forest. Phylogenetic analyses based on Bayesian and Maximum Parsimony approaches recovered these two species as sister to each other, which we place here in Zoiudo gen. nov. Males of this new lineage of fireflies are overall strikingly similar to Photinus Laporte 1833, but can be readily distinguished by traits heretofore neglected, including the structure of tibial spurs and many genitalic traits. Instead, Zoiudo gen. nov. is strongly supported as sister to Ybytyramoan Silveira and Mermudes, 2014, supported by eight synapomorphies, the most conspicuous being the sternum VIII with lateral margins divergent up to basal 1/5, then convergent posteriorly, and the rudimentary ventral plate of phallus. Our study confirms the value of extensive character and taxon sampling towards a revised classification of Photinini taxa and highlights the need for a continued sampling and protection of South American biomes.
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6
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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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7
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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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8
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Silveira L, Souto P, Khattar G, Takiya DM, Nunes V, Mermudes JRM, Monteiro R, Macedo M. Unlocking the evolution of abdominal specializations in
Luciuranus
fireflies (Coleoptera, Lampyridae). ZOOL SCR 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Silveira
- Biology Department Western Carolina University Cullowhee North Carolina USA
| | - Paula Souto
- Department of Life Sciences, Centre for Functional Ecology University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | | | - Daniela M. Takiya
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Viviane Nunes
- Computational Biology and Population Genomics Group (COBIG2), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Biologia Evolutiva e do Desenvolvimento da Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - José Ricardo M. Mermudes
- Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Ricardo Monteiro
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil
| | - Margarete Macedo
- 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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9
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Khattar G, Vaz S, Braga PHP, Macedo M, Silveira LFLD. Life history traits modulate the influence of environmental stressors on biodiversity: The case of fireflies, climate and artificial light at night. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Khattar
- Department of Biology Concordia University Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Stephanie Vaz
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | | | - Margarete Macedo
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro Brazil
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10
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Lima da Silveira LF, Branham MA. A new species of Petalacmis firefly from Bolivia, with a key to species (Coleoptera, Lampyridae). Zookeys 2022; 1092:63-77. [PMID: 35586292 PMCID: PMC9005466 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1092.80464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Petalacmis Olivier, 1908 is a poorly known genus of firefly endemic to South America and is currently the only member of the subfamily Lampyrinae, tribe Lampyrini known to occur on the continent. Here, we describe a new species, Petalacmistriplehornisp. nov. from Bolivia and compare it to the two other described species in the genus. A key to Petalacmis species based on male traits, as well as illustrations of morphological features, are given in detail for the first time. We present unique, previously neglected traits of Petalacmis species and compare them to other Lampyrinae.
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11
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Riley WB, Rosa SP, Lima da Silveira LF. A comprehensive review and call for studies on firefly larvae. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12121. [PMID: 34616609 PMCID: PMC8459732 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) are commonly recognized by adult traits, such as a soft exoskeleton, lanterns and associated glow and flash patterns, but their larval stage is far less appreciated. However, fireflies spend most of their lives as larvae, and adults of most species rely solely on resources previously obtained. Therefore, studying the immature stages is imperative towards a comprehensive understanding of fireflies. This paper reviews and indicates key gaps in the biology of firefly larvae based on available literature. METHODOLOGY We reviewed the literature on firefly larvae to identify key issues and important taxonomic, geographic, and subject biases and gaps. RESULTS We found 376 papers that included information on firefly larvae. Only 139 species in 47 genera across eight of eleven lampyrid subfamilies have been studied during larval stages. These numbers reveal a staggering gap, since 94% of species and over half of the genera of fireflies were never studied in a crucial stage of their life cycle. Most studies on firefly larvae focus on two subfamilies (Luciolinae and Lampyrinae) in four zoogeographic regions (Sino-Japanese, Oriental, Nearctic, and Palearctic), whereas the other subfamilies and regions remain largely unstudied. These studies mainly dealt with morphology and behavior, other subjects remaining greatly understudied by comparison, including habitats, life cycle, physiology and interactions. CONCLUSIONS Together, these literature biases and gaps highlight how little is known about firefly larvae, and warmly invite basic and applied research, in the field and in the lab, to overcome these limitations and improve our understanding of firefly biology to better preserve them.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B. Riley
- Department of Biology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, United States of America
| | - Simone Policena Rosa
- Instituto de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Itajubá, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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12
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Tan EJ, Elgar MA. Motion: enhancing signals and concealing cues. Biol Open 2021; 10:271863. [PMID: 34414408 PMCID: PMC8411570 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal colour patterns remain a lively focus of evolutionary and behavioural ecology, despite the considerable conceptual and technical developments over the last four decades. Nevertheless, our current understanding of the function and efficacy of animal colour patterns remains largely shaped by a focus on stationary animals, typically in a static background. Yet, this rarely reflects the natural world: most animals are mobile in their search for food and mates, and their surrounding environment is usually dynamic. Thus, visual signalling involves not only animal colour patterns, but also the patterns of animal motion and behaviour, often in the context of a potentially dynamic background. While motion can reveal information about the signaller by attracting attention or revealing signaller attributes, motion can also be a means of concealing cues, by reducing the likelihood of detection (motion camouflage, motion masquerade and flicker-fusion effect) or the likelihood of capture following detection (motion dazzle and confusion effect). The interaction between the colour patterns of the animal and its local environment is further affected by the behaviour of the individual. Our review details how motion is intricately linked to signalling and suggests some avenues for future research. This Review has an associated Future Leader to Watch interview with the first author. Summary: While motion can reveal information about the signaller, motion can also be a means of concealing cues by reducing the likelihood of detection or the likelihood of capture following detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice J Tan
- Division of Science, Yale-NUS College, Singapore 138527, Singapore
| | - Mark A Elgar
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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13
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Freelance CB, Tierney SM, Rodriguez J, Stuart-Fox DM, Wong BBM, Elgar MA. The eyes have it: dim-light activity is associated with the morphology of eyes but not antennae across insect orders. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The perception of cues and signals in visual, olfactory and auditory modalities underpins all animal interactions and provides crucial fitness-related information. Sensory organ morphology is under strong selection to optimize detection of salient cues and signals in a given signalling environment, the most well-studied example being selection on eye design in different photic environments. Many dim-light active species have larger compound eyes relative to body size, but little is known about differences in non-visual sensory organ morphology between diurnal and dim-light active insects. Here, we compare the micromorphology of the compound eyes (visual receptors) and antennae (olfactory and mechanical receptors) in representative pairs of day active and dim-light active species spanning multiple taxonomic orders of insects. We find that dim-light activity is associated with larger compound eye ommatidia and larger overall eye surface area across taxonomic orders but find no evidence that morphological adaptations that enhance the sensitivity of the eye in dim-light active insects are accompanied by morphological traits of the antennae that may increase sensitivity to olfactory, chemical or physical stimuli. This suggests that the ecology and natural history of species is a stronger driver of sensory organ morphology than is selection for complementary investment between sensory modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon M Tierney
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Juanita Rodriguez
- Australian National Insect Collection, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Devi M Stuart-Fox
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bob B M Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark A Elgar
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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14
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Martin GJ, Lower SE, Suvorov A, Bybee SM. Molecular Evolution of Phototransduction Pathway Genes in Nocturnal and Diurnal Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12060561. [PMID: 34207188 PMCID: PMC8235688 DOI: 10.3390/insects12060561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Most organisms are dependent on sensory cues from their environment for survival and reproduction. Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) represent an ideal system for studying sensory niche adaptation due to many species relying on bioluminescent communication; as well as a diversity of ecologies. Here; using transcriptomics; we examine the phototransduction pathway in this non-model organism; and provide some of the first evidence for positive selection in the phototransduction pathway beyond opsins in beetles. Evidence for gene duplications within Lampyridae are found in inactivation no afterpotential C and inactivation no afterpotential D. We also find strong support for positive selection in arrestin-2; inactivation no afterpotential D; and transient receptor potential-like; with weak support for positive selection in guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(q) subunit alpha and neither inactivation nor afterpotential C. Taken with other recent work in flies; butterflies; and moths; this represents an exciting new avenue of study as we seek to further understand diversification and constraint on the phototransduction pathway in light of organism ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin J. Martin
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (A.S.); (S.M.B.)
- Monte L. Bean Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Sarah E. Lower
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA;
| | - Anton Suvorov
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (A.S.); (S.M.B.)
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Seth M. Bybee
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (A.S.); (S.M.B.)
- Monte L. Bean Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
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15
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Abstract
Flowers have evolved signals that exploit the sensory systems of insect visitors. In the case of visual cues, color signals are thought to have been shaped in large part by the spectral sensitivity of key pollinators, such as hymenopterans. Beetles were some of the first plant pollinators, pre-dating the angiosperm radiation but with the exception of a few well-studied species, the evolution of flower-visiting beetle visual systems is poorly understood. Thus, the ability of beetles to detect and distinguish flower color signals and perhaps their potential role in shaping flower coloration is not well understood. Traditional models of pollinator visual systems often assume a putative tri- or tetrachromatic flower-visitor, as is found in bees, flies and butterflies. Beetles are unique among modern pollinators as ancestrally they did not possess the machinery for trichromatic vision, lacking the blue-sensitive photoreceptor class. Research on the evolution of visual genes responsible for wavelength sensitivity (opsins) has revealed that beetles with putative tri- and tetrachromatic visual systems have evolved independently, along multiple lineages. We explore the evolution of beetle visual genes using newly generated and publicly available RNA-seq data from 25 species with flower associations, including previously unexplored key flower-visitor groups and 20 non-flower visiting relatives. Our findings serve as a resource to inform and guide future studies on beetle-flower interactions, where insight from both signal and receiver is needed to better understand these poorly explored systems.
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16
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López-Palafox T, Macías-Ordóñez R, Cordero CR. The size of signal detection and emission organs in a synchronous firefly: sexual dimorphism, allometry and assortative mating. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10127. [PMID: 33194388 PMCID: PMC7597648 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The size of the organs responsible for emitting and detecting sexual communication signals is a likely target for selection. Communication via bioluminescent signals in synchronous fireflies is a promising model to test hypotheses regarding differences between males and females in the effect of the size of signal emission and detection organs on fitness components. Synchronous firefly species congregate in large numbers during the mating season, displaying bioluminescent signals aimed at potential mates during relatively short nightly periods. Operational sex ratios are male-biased and, thus, the so-called typical sex roles (indiscriminate males and choosy females) are expected to evolve. We studied the synchronous firefly Photinus palaciosi, a species that during the mating season congregates in forests of central Mexico offering a magnificent natural show that attracts numerous tourists. P. palaciosi females have reduced wings (brachyptery) and cannot fly. Our field study tested the hypothesis that the male-biased operational sex ratio and the short daily mating period result in strong male-male competition that selects for males with larger lanterns and larger eyes, and against male mate choice, whereas female-female mate competition is absent and, thus, no selection on lantern or eye size is expected. Even though lantern, eye or body size do not predict the probability of being found in copula for either sex, sexual dimorphism in these features, along with allometric slopes of lantern size and assortative mating in terms of relative lantern size, support not only the hypothesis of intense sexual selection among males, but the possibility of subtle mechanisms of sexual selection among females. Trade-offs between investment in signaling (lanterns) versus detection (eyes) structures, or with pressures different from sexual selection such as those imposed by predators, are also likely to be important in shaping the evolution of sexual signaling in these fireflies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania López-Palafox
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Carlos R. Cordero
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, México
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17
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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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18
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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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19
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Bi WX, He* JW, Chen CC, Kundrata R, Li XY. Sinopyrophorinae, a new subfamily of Elateridae (Coleoptera, Elateroidea) with the first record of a luminous click beetle in Asia and evidence for multiple origins of bioluminescence in Elateridae. Zookeys 2019; 864:79-97. [PMID: 31363346 PMCID: PMC6656784 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.864.26689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The new subfamily Sinopyrophorinae within Elateridae is proposed to accommodate a bioluminescent species, Sinopyrophorusschimmeli Bi & Li, gen. et sp. nov., recently discovered in Yunnan, China. This lineage is morphologically distinguished from other click-beetle subfamilies by the strongly protruding frontoclypeal region, which is longitudinally carinate medially, the pretarsal claws without basal setae, the hind wing venation with a well-defined wedge cell, the abdomen with seven (male) or six (female) ventrites, the large luminous organ on the abdominal sternite II, and the male genitalia with median lobe much shorter than parameres, and parameres arcuate, with the inner margin near its apical third dentate. Molecular phylogeny based on the combined 14 mitochondrial and two nuclear genes supports the placement of this taxon far from other luminescent click-beetle groups, which provides additional evidence for the multiple origin of bioluminescence in Elateridae. Illustrations of habitus and main diagnostic features of S.schimmeli Bi & Li, gen. et sp. nov. are provided, as well as the brief description of its luminescent behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Xuan Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
- Room 401, No. 2, Lane 155, Lianhua South Road, Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Jin-Wu He*
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Chang-Chin Chen
- NPS office, Tianjin New Wei San Industrial Company, Ltd., Tianjing, China
| | - Robin Kundrata
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. listopadu 50, 77146, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Xue-Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
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20
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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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21
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Mitchem LD, Stanis S, Sutton NM, Turner Z, Fuller RC. The pervasive effects of lighting environments on sensory drive in bluefin killifish: an investigation into male/male competition, female choice, and predation. Curr Zool 2018; 64:499-512. [PMID: 30108631 PMCID: PMC6084612 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory drive predicts that the conditions under which signaling takes place have large effects on signals, sensory systems, and behavior. The coupling of an ecological genetics approach with sensory drive has been fruitful. An ecological genetics approach compares populations that experience different environments and asks whether population differences are adaptive and are the result of genetic and/or environmental variation. The multi-faceted effects of signaling environments are well-exemplified by the bluefin killifish. In this system, males with blue anal fins are abundant in tannin-stained swamps that lack UV/blue light but are absent in clear springs where UV/blue light is abundant. Past work indicates that lighting environments shape genetic and environmental variation in color patterns, visual systems, and behavior. Less is known about the selective forces creating the across population correlations between UV/blue light and the abundance of blue males. Here, we present three new experiments that investigate the roles of lighting environments on male competition, female mate choice, and predation. We found strong effects of lighting environments on male competition where blue males were more likely to emerge as dominant in tea-stained water than in clear water. Our preliminary study on predation indicated that blue males may be less susceptible to predation in tea-stained water than in clear water. However, there was little evidence for female preferences favoring blue males. The resulting pattern is one where the effects of lighting environments on genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity match the direction of selection and favor the expression of blue males in swamps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D Mitchem
- School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Shannon Stanis
- School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Nicholas M Sutton
- School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Zachary Turner
- Department of Mathematics, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Rebecca C Fuller
- School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
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