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Detection of light and vibration modulates bioluminescence intensity in the glowworm, Arachnocampa flava

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Abstract

Glowworms are larval fungus gnats that emit light from a specialised abdominal light organ. The light attracts small arthropod prey to their web-like silk snares. Larvae glow throughout the night and can modulate their bioluminescence in response to sensory input. To better understand light output regulation and its ecological significance, we examined the larvae’s reaction to light exposure, vibration and sound. Exposure to a 5-min light pulse in the laboratory causes larvae to exponentially decrease their light output over 5–10 min until they completely switch off. They gradually return to pre-exposure levels but do not show a rebound. Larvae are most sensitive to ultraviolet light, then blue, green and red. Vibration of the larval snares results in a several-fold increase in bioluminescence over 20–30 s, followed by an exponential return to pre-exposure levels over 15–30 min. Under some conditions, larvae can respond to vibration by initiating bioluminescence when they are not glowing; however, the response is reduced compared to when they are glowing. We propose that inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms combine to modulate bioluminescence intensity by regulating biochemical reactions or gating the access of air to the light organ.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Simon Blomberg for statistical advice, Lynda Perkins for help in spectroscopy and Justin Marshall for discussions and information on spectral sensitivity of insect eyes. We acknowledge financial support from the School of Biological Sciences, the University of Queensland. Applicable international, national and institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Rebecca Mills, Julie-Anne Popple & David John Merritt

  2. School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Martin Veidt

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  1. Rebecca Mills
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  2. Julie-Anne Popple
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  3. Martin Veidt
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  4. David John Merritt
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Correspondence to David John Merritt.

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Mills, R., Popple, JA., Veidt, M. et al. Detection of light and vibration modulates bioluminescence intensity in the glowworm, Arachnocampa flava . J Comp Physiol A 202, 313–327 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-016-1077-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-016-1077-0

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