Abstract
The anatomic and biochemical origin of beetle bioluminescence is still poorly understood. Through CCD imaging we report that larvae and pupae of the Brazilian fireflies Aspisoma lineatum and Cratomorphus sp emit a continuous weak glow throughout the entire body during all stages. This luminescence is especially developed after feeding, ecdysis and in the pupal stage, gradually disappearing as the cuticle becomes sclerotized and the adult emerges. This weak glow arises from the fat body, which consists of small lobes spread all over the body cavity. According to their pigmentation, these lobes can be divided in whitish and pinkish, and display different luciferase isozymes. Morphological studies suggest that the jelly-like ventral lanterns in the 8th abdominal segment evolved from these white lobes, providing a rationale for the widespread location of lanterns in larvae of different bioluminescent beetles. The biological and biochemical function of this weak diffuse bioluminescence is discussed in the context of the larval life-history.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
V. R. Viviani, The origin, diversity and structure function relationships of insect luciferases, Cell. Mol. Life Sci., 2002, 59, 1833–1850.
M. A. Branham, J. W. Wenzel, The evolution of bioluminescence in Cantharoids (Coleoptera: Elateroidea), Florida Entomol., 2000, 84 4, 565.
J. M. Bassot, Les cellules lumineuses du coleoptere Phengodes>. Extrait de Recherces Biologiques Contemporareus. Imp. Vagner 4 Trim. Nancy, France, 1974.
J. B. Buck, The anatomy and physiology of the light organs in fireflies, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., 1948, 49, 397–483.
H. Ghiradella, The anatomy of light production: the fine structure of the firefly lantern, Microscopic Anatomy of Invertebrates, 1998, 11A, 363–381.
M. A. Branham, J. W. Wenzel, The origin of photic behavior and evolution of sexual communication in fireflies, Cladistics, 2003, 23, 1–22.
W. N. Hess, Origin and development of the light organs of Photuris pennsylvanica DeGeer, J. Morphol., 1922, 36, 245–263.
K. N. Smalley, D. E. Tarwater, T. L. Davidson, Localization of fluorescent compounds in the firefly light organ, J. Histochem. Cytochem., 1980, 28, 323–329.
C. H. Hanna, T. A. Hopkins, J. Buck, Peroxisomes of the firefly, J. Ultrastr. Res., 1976, 57, 150–162.
L. G. Strause, M. DeLuca, J. F. Case, Biochemical and morfological changes accompanying organ development in the firefly, Photuris pennsylvanica, J. Insect Physiol., 1979, 25, 339–347.
R. F. Chapmann, The Insects, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1998.
V. R. Viviani, Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) from Southeastern Brazil: Habitats, life history, and bioluminescence, Anna. Entomol. Soc. Am., 2001, 94, 129–145.
C. Costa, Genus Pyrophorus 3. Life History, larva and Pupa of Pyrophorus punctatissimus Blanchard (Coleoptera: Elateridae), Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia, 1970, 23, 69–76.
Y. Oba, M. Sato, M. Ojika, S. Inouye, Enzymatic and genetic characterization of firefly luciferase and Drosophila CG6178 as a fatty acyl-CoA synthetase, Biosci., Biotechnol., Biochem., 2005, 69, 819–828.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Viviani, V.R., Okawachi, F.M., Scorsato, V. et al. CCD imaging of basal bioluminescence in larval fireflies: clues on the anatomic origin and evolution of bioluminescence. Photochem Photobiol Sci 7, 448–452 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1039/b718016k
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/b718016k