DOCSLIB.ORG

Cover Photo Is of Glowworm Lava and Threads Photo: Malcolm Wood

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Cover Photo Is of Glowworm Lava and Threads Photo: Malcolm Wood THE NEW ZEALAND GLOWWORM by Rosalie Frederikson Waitomo Caves Museum Society Inc. P.O. Box 12 Waitomo Caves New Zealand Cover Photo is of Glowworm Lava and Threads Photo: Malcolm Wood @ l983 Reprinted 1984 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTIOJ Page A feature of anyone's trip to Waitorco Caves is a visit to the Glowworm Caves, and in the Glowworm Grotto we feast Introduction i our eyes on a wondrous sight. The cavern roof is dotted Early Records of the New Zealand Glowworm 1 with thousands of tiny lights, each being produced by our Habitat 2 New Zealand glowworm. Life Cycle Our New Zealand glowworm is quite different to so-called 'glowworms' from other parts of the world. These others Egg are mainly luminous beetles which use their lights only Larva to attract the opposite sex. The New Zealand globworm by Pupa > coEtrast is the larval stage of a fly, X-d will use its Adult 6 light in different stages of the life cycle as a lure for focd as well as to attract a mate. Mating 8 The scientific name of the New Zealand gloxworm is Oviposition 9 Arachnocampa luminosa. It be1or.g~to the family MYCETO- The Nest and Fishing Lines I0 PHILIDAE or 'fungus gnats', most of which, as the name Feeding Behaviour 13 suggests, feed on fungus. 'Aracho' refers to the web it spins, 'campa' to its gnb-like qualities and 'lminosa' Bioluminescence 16 to the light it emits. This species is found only in Population Regulation 19 New Zealand, but it has three relatives within the genus Evolution 22 Arachnocampa from Australia. Of these, Arachnocampa tasmaniensis, from Tasmania, is the closest relative. Man and the New Zealand Glowworm 23 Two cther smaller species are known from the Australian (by Mr. D. Williams, Manager of iriaitomo Tourist mainlmd, Arachnocampa flava and Arachnocam~arichardsae. Caves) This booklet attempts to presert to the Waitomo Caves Glossary 27 visitor a gereral knowledge cf the New Zealand glowworm - including details of habitat, life cycle, snare, Bibliography 29 feeding behaviour and light. Acknowledgements 32 ISBN 0-908683-03-0 First EdLtion 1983 EARLY RECORDS OF THE NEW ZEALAND GLOWWORM The first record of the New Zealand glowworm was by Rev. A.G. Purchas in 1871. He had collected the female fly and larvae of "one or two1' species of luminous insect from mines on the Thames Goldfields. In 1886, E. Meyrick ot,served that this luminous larva I "h..... Arachnocarnpa flava appeared to be a predatory beetle larva. He stated that the light came from the back of its neck, and thought it would be carnivorous, feeding on minute insects caught in the slimy network of its 'web1. Meyrick postulated that this beetle larva might use its light to attract its l New 1 food. South Later in 1886, G.V. Hudson refuted the writings of Wales ,.... ,z Meyrick stating that the light came from a large sticky ...;g: . Arachnocam .... knob at its posterior end. Furthermore he thought there >/ richariEe was little doubt that its food consisted of decaying vegetable matter as he had never observed flies or gnats captured in the webs. Hudson also disagreed with Meyrick's assumed function of the light. As the light was not shown regularly, he thought the larva used it to escape from enemies, for "when disturbed they nearly al- ways gleamed very briliiar.tly for a few seconds, suddecly shutting off the light adretreating into the earth". He was also quite confident this larva bore no relation- Distribution of the genus Arachnocampa [after Kermode ) ship to any beetle fmilies, and was in fact a small 'gnat1 or fly. These early observations of the glowworm are very in- teresting when compared to what is now known about this creature. Meyrick was quite wrong about the positioning of the light and about the larva being from a beetle family. However his observatiors were correct on the feeding behaviour (carnivorous) and function of the light (prey attraction). Hudson, on the other hand, was ac- curate in describing the glowworm as the larva of a %all fly and stating the posterior position of its light. He was incorrect however, on his other statements - the glowworm is not vegetariar, and nor is its light a means -3- of escape. LIFE CYCLE In 1886, Osten-Sacken from Germany, assigned this insect Like that of most insects, the glowwon life cycle has to the family MYCETOPHILIDAE, but he was unsure about to four stages - egg, larva, pupa and fly - with the entire which genus it belonged. F.A.A. Skuse (sydney) in l890 cycle taking approximately ten to eleven months. In the named it as Bolitophila lucinosa. The Englishman, Glowworm Cave there is an underlying annual cycle with a F.W. Edwards, 1924, noted that some of its characters new generation starting in late winter/spring (August - were unlike those of the European Bolitophila which feed October) each year. However there is considerable over- on the interior of fungi, form no web, and pupate in the lap between each stage of development, with most stages ground. He considered that there were sufficient dis- being present throughout the year. tinctive characters to establish a new genus, Arachno- -cmDa. Sdwards chose this name because of the spider like nabit of the larva forming webs adusing them to catch insects (spiders are scientifically referred to as Jrumer autumn / winter spring kuj -;:-3;:;::ies) . 1 1 Adults (eggs) The preferred habitat of the glowworm must include the following five major factors: 1) A hunid atriosphere to prevent the glowworm from drying Pupae out. 2) A suitable hanging surface, such as the ceiling of a cave, from which the larva can suspend its fishing lines. j) A relatively still (windless) environment to prevent the long sticky threads from targling. 4) h adequate supply of small flying insects for food. 1 ! 3) Darkness, in order that the glowworm's light shows. JFMAMJ JASOND The combination of these factors means that the glowworm Seasonal frequency of stages in the glowworm g as a very specialised environmental requirement. Suit- life- cycle. able places exist in forests, tunnels and of course zaves, habitats in which the glowworm may be found a: throughout New Zealand. The glowworm egg is spherical, 0.75 millimetres in dia- meter. When first deposited the egg is crem in colour, but will change to either light brown or orange-re6 with- in a few hours. The eggs are sticky and adhere to the substrate - in caves they are deposited directly onto the walls. The 'incubation' period is 20 to 24 days. weight or size and this de2ends on the availability of Luminescence does not occur in the glowworm egg. At food; an extreme exanple being a glowworm in Ruakuri near hatching the larva splits the skin of the egg and crawls the rockfall which is about 18 months old. The 'annual' out. cycle starts in late winter/spring, so a plentiful supply of food for the larvae during this period may cause early pupation and adult emergence before the following spring. The larva is the only stage of the life cycle that feeds. The pupa is a transitory stage, and the adult has no mouth. This is why the larval stage is so long relative to the others. The larva has to store enough food re- serve to 'feed' the pupa, the adult, and if a female, the Larva emerging from the egg. (after Richards) eggs of the next generation. Larva: When newly hatched the larva or worn is very small - three to five millimetres long and 0.33 millimetres a- cross. The larva immed5ately commences the building of a nest and by letting down sticky threads and 'switching on' its light, is able to attract its first meal. It is hy2othesised that cmnibalism is quite inportant for the newly hatched glowworm, as very few insects are small Glowworm larva removed f mm its nest (after Richards enough for the tiny larva to handle. Other young larvae would be one of the few food sources of similar size. PUDa : Before pupation the larva shrinks and becomes opaque. It The larva grows over a period of several months, to reach removes some of its fishing lines leaving an encircling a length of 30 to 40 millimetres. It is not necessarily barrier of shorter condensed lines. This may act as a confined to its nest being able to move 20 to 30 centi- protective shield to the pupa with the clear space pre- metres, and if greatly disturbed may move several metres. venting the fly becoming entanglsd after it merges. The Movement is by waves of muscle contractions passing along larva suspends itself vertically by a long thread, in its body - like the movement of an earthworm. this circle of lines, to pupate. The suspensory cord, The only part of the larva that is hard is the head cap- formed from the larval nest and its supports, enends sule, much like a 'crash helmet'. As the larva grows its from the ceiling to a region of the thorax. 'helmet' becomes too small and has to be replaced by Sexual differentiation first becomes evident in the pupal moulting. During total larval development there are four stage. The female is larger and stouter than the male, moults, with each larva stage being referred to as an and it possesses txo prominent papillae at the end of its 'instar' - first instar (newly hatched) to fifth instar abdomen, which although present in the male, are smaller. (last stage before pupation). Larval development in The female pupae range from 15 to 18 millimetres in total takes eight to nine months, but with considerable length and the males from 12 to 14 millimetres.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Waikato CMS Volume I
    CMS CONSERVATioN MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Waikato 2014–2024, Volume I Operative 29 September 2014 CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY WAIKATO 2014–2024, Volume I Operative 29 September 2014 Cover image: Rider on the Timber Trail, Pureora Forest Park. Photo: DOC September 2014, New Zealand Department of Conservation ISBN 978-0-478-15021-6 (print) ISBN 978-0-478-15023-0 (online) This document is protected by copyright owned by the Department of Conservation on behalf of the Crown. Unless indicated otherwise for specific items or collections of content, this copyright material is licensed for re- use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand licence. In essence, you are free to copy, distribute and adapt the material, as long as you attribute it to the Department of Conservation and abide by the other licence terms. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/nz/ This publication is produced using paper sourced from well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests. Contents Foreword 7 Introduction 8 Purpose of conservation management strategies 8 CMS structure 10 CMS term 10 Relationship with other Department of Conservation strategic documents and tools 10 Relationship with other planning processes 11 Legislative tools 12 Exemption from land use consents 12 Closure of areas 12 Bylaws and regulations 12 Conservation management plans 12 International obligations 13 Part One 14 1 The Department of Conservation in Waikato 14 2 Vision for Waikato—2064 14 2.1 Long-term vision for Waikato—2064 15 3 Distinctive
    [Show full text]
  • Bioluminescence in Insect
    Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2018) 7(3): 187-193 International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 03 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Review Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.703.022 Bioluminescence in Insect I. Yimjenjang Longkumer and Ram Kumar* Department of Entomology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar-848125, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Bioluminescence is defined as the emission of light from a living organism K e yw or ds that performs some biological function. Bioluminescence is one of the Fireflies, oldest fields of scientific study almost dating from the first written records Bioluminescence , of the ancient Greeks. This article describes the investigations of insect Luciferin luminescence and the crucial role imparted in the activities of insect. Many Article Info facets of this field are easily accessible for investigation without need for Accepted: advanced technology and so, within the History of Science, investigations 04 February 2018 of bioluminescence played a significant role in the establishment of the Available Online: scientific method, and also were among the many visual phenomena to be 10 March 2018 accounted for in developing a theory of light. Introduction Bioluminescence (BL) serves various purposes, including sexual attraction and When a living organism produces and emits courtship, predation and defense (Hastings and light as a result of a chemical reaction, the Wilson, 1976). This process is suggested to process is known as Bioluminescence - bio have arisen after O2 appearance on Earth at means 'living' in Greek while `lumen means least 30 different times during evolution, as 'light' in Latin.
    [Show full text]
  • Preparing for the ACT® Test
    2021 l 2022 FREE Preparing for the ACT® Test What’s Inside • Full-Length Practice ACT Test, including the Optional Writing Test • Information about the Multiple-Choice and Writing Sections • Test-Taking Strategies • What to Expect on Test Day Esta publicación también se puede ver o descargar en español en www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org *080192220* A Message to Students This booklet is an important first step as you get ready for college and your career. The information here is intended to help you do your best on the ACT to gain admission to colleges and universities. Included are helpful hints and test-taking strategies, as well as a complete practice ACT, with “retired” questions from earlier tests given on previous test dates at ACT test sites. Also featured are a practice writing test, a sample answer document, answer keys, and self-scoring instructions. Read this booklet carefully and take the practice tests well before test day. That way, you will be familiar with the tests, what they measure, and strategies you can use to do your best on test day. You may also want to consider The Official ACT® Self-Paced Course, Powered by Kaplan® to learn test content and strategies in a virtual classroom. To view all of our test preparation options, go to www.act.org/the-act/testprep. Contents Overview of A Message to Students b the ACT Overview of the ACT b Test-Taking Strategies 1 The full ACT consists of four multiple-choice sections—in English, mathematics, reading, and science—with an optional Prohibited Behavior at writing section.
    [Show full text]
  • New Observations on the Biology of Keroplatus Nipponicus Okada, 1938 (Diptera: Mycetophiloidea; Keroplatidae), a Bioluminescent Fungivorous Insect
    New observations on the biology of Keroplatus nipponicus 139 Entomologie heute 26 (2014): 139-149 New Observations on the Biology of Keroplatus nipponicus Okada, 1938 (Diptera: Mycetophiloidea; Keroplatidae), a Bioluminescent Fungivorous Insect Neue Beobachtungen zur Biologie von Keroplatus nipponicus Okada, 1938 (Diptera: Mycetophiloidea; Keroplatidae), ein biolumineszierendes fungivores Insekt KOTARO OSAWA, TOYO SASAKI & VICTOR BENNO MEYER-ROCHOW Summary: One of the least studied terrestrial luminescent insects is the fungus gnat Keroplatus nip- ponicus Okada, 1938. Its larvae emit a constant blue light of a λmax of 460 nm from the entire body and construct a slime web underneath certain tree-fungi, e.g. Grammothele fuligo, whose spores can be identifi ed in larval guts and faeces. The intensity of the light of the larvae increases when the latter are injured or electrically stimulated; a biorhythm with dimmer lights during the day seems to be related to the overall activity of the larva. Most likely specialized cells of the larval and pupal fat body are responsible for the light production. While in the larvae the head region glows brighter than the caudal region, the reverse holds true for the pupa. Larval body liquid from dissected specimens glows and dried and crushed larvae will emit a blue light when water is added. As to the biological function of the light, we only can speculate, e.g. that it may have a defensive function. The larvae avoid bright places and seem most abundant in late summer and autumn. After an about 10 day long pupal stage, non-luminescent adults appear. Keywords: Bioluminescence, fungus gnats, glowworms, Hachijojima Zusammenfassung: Von allen terrestrischen Insekten, die biologisches Licht erzeugen, ist die Pilz- mücke Keroplatus nipponicus Okada, 1938 eine der am wenigsten untersuchten Arten.
    [Show full text]
  • The Impact of Cave Lighting on the Bioluminescent Display of the Tasmanian Glow-Worm Arachnocampa Tasmaniensis
    J. Insect Conserv (2013) 17:147-153 DOI 10.1007/s10841-012-9493-0 ORIGINAL PAPER The impact of cave lighting on the bioluminescent display of the Tasmanian glow-worm Arachnocampa tasmaniensis David J. Merritt • Arthur K. Clarke This is a self-archived version; the final publication is available at http://link.springer.com. Abstract Bioluminescent larvae of the dipteran genus of caves in Australia and New Zealand. While glow-worms aren’t Arachnocampa are charismatic microfauna that can reach high restricted to caves, tourism has arisen there because some species, densities in caves, where they attract many visitors. These focal such as A. tasmaniensis and A. luminosa, can reach high populations are the subjects of conservation management because population densities in some caves. Further, glow-worms can be of their high natural and commercial value. Despite their tourism conveniently viewed in deep caves during daylight hours as a importance, little is known about their susceptibility and resilience component of tours that also feature the caves’ geological to natural or human impacts. At Marakoopa Cave in northern formations. Tasmania, guided tours take visitors through different chambers The single most visited site is Waitomo Glowworm Cave, and terminate at a viewing platform where the cave lighting is New Zealand, attracting 500,000 visitors per year (de Freitas, extinguished and a glowing colony of Arachnocampa 2010) to view the endemic species Arachnocampa luminosa tasmaniensis (Diptera: Keroplatidae) larvae on the chamber (Skuse). In Australia, major commercial glow-worm viewing ceiling is revealed. Research has shown that exposure to artificial occurs at three locations: Marakoopa Cave in Tasmania; Natural light can cause larvae to douse or dim their bioluminescence; Bridge, Springbrook National Park in Queensland; and an hence, the cave lighting associated with visitor access could artificial cave environment at Mount Tamborine, Queensland.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Glow-Worms
    AUSTRALIAN GLOW-WORMS David J. Merritt and Claire Baker, Department of Zoology & Entomology, School of Life Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072. INTRODUCTION Bioluminescence output can be rapidly modulated, for example, when disturbed or exposed to bright light Glow-worms are the larvae of a fly from the family larvae will douse their light. They bioluminesce Keroplatidae (Matile, 1981). While the biology of the continuously under anaesthesia (Lee, 1976) or when the New Zealand glow-worm, Arachnocampa luminosa, is body is ligated, separating the terminal light-producing well known (Gatenby, 1959), Australian glow-worms organ from the control centres in the brain (Gatenby, have not been studied in detail. The emergence of cave- 1959). based tourism featuring glow-worms has led to a demand for knowledge about their biology and potential GLOW-WORMS IN AUSTRALIAN CAVES tourism impacts. Also, the diversity of glow-worms in Australia is only partly known—no comprehensive Glow-worms are found in caves or rainforest gullies, survey has been carried out—and a knowledge of however it is in caves that they reach their highest species identities is crucial for management of cave density producing spectacular displays of biolumin- biota. escence. The hypogean and epigean environments expose glow-worms to different conditions. In the BIOLOGY epigean environment they are exposed to climatic extremes. Experiments have shown that they are very From our studies, the behaviour and habitat preferences sensitive to desiccation due to reduced relative humidity of Australian glow-worms are very similar to those of or excessive air movement hence they are restricted to Arachnocampa luminosa (Richards, 1960; Gatenby, the most sheltered habitats such as heavily treed, moist 1960; Stringer, 1967; Meyer-Rochow, 1990).
    [Show full text]
  • Off Kaikoura, New Zealand: Effects of Tourism
    Behaviour and movement patterns of dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) off Kaikoura, New Zealand: Effects of tourism David J. Lundquist A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand July 2011 ii ABSTRACT Tourism targeting cetaceans near Kaikoura, New Zealand began in the late 1980s and five commercial operators offer tours to swim with or view pods of dusky dolphins. These dolphins are part of a large, mobile population of dusky dolphins found around the southern New Zealand coast. The New Zealand Department of Conservation commissioned a study in the mid-90s (Barr and Slooten 1999) examining the effects of tourism on dusky dolphins, and placed a 10-year moratorium on new permits. This study was designed to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of tourism on dusky dolphins by collecting current data and comparing it to data collected by previous researchers. It was also timed to provide further recommendations for management of this activity at the end of the 10-year moratorium. Focal group follow methods were used to track movement and behaviour of large pods of dusky dolphins from a shore station, and the number of water entries (swim drop) and length of time swimmers spent in the water were collected onboard tour vessels. Behaviour and movement of dusky dolphins was variable by season and time of day, sophisticated analytical techniques accounted for this variability and described responses of dolphins to vessels. Dolphins spent less time resting and socialising and more time milling when vessels were present. Bout lengths for all behavioural states except milling were significantly shortened in the presence of vessels.
    [Show full text]
  • Hendy Test Stable Isotope Data
    http://waikato.researchgateway.ac.nz/ Research Commons at the University of Waikato Copyright Statement: The digital copy of this thesis is protected by the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). The thesis may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use: Any use you make of these documents or images must be for research or private study purposes only, and you may not make them available to any other person. Authors control the copyright of their thesis. You will recognise the author’s right to be identified as the author of the thesis, and due acknowledgement will be made to the author where appropriate. You will obtain the author’s permission before publishing any material from the thesis. HIGH-RESOLUTION SPELEOTHEM-BASED PALAEOCLIMATE RECORDS FROM NEW ZEALAND REVEAL ROBUST TELECONNECTION TO NORTH ATLANTIC DURING MIS 1-4 A thesis submitted as required for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry and Earth and Ocean Sciences at The University of Waikato by THOMAS EDWARD WHITTAKER _______________ The University of Waikato 2008 Abstract Growth rates, δ18O and δ13C of five stalagmites from the west coasts of North and South Islands, New Zealand, provide records of millennial-scale climate variability over the last ~75 kyr. Thirty-five uranium-series ages were used to provide the chronology. δ18O of stalagmite calcite was influenced by changes in moisture source region, temperature and both δ18O and δ13C primarily display a negative relationship with rainfall. To assist interpretation of climatic signals δ18O profiles were adjusted for the ice-volume effect.
    [Show full text]
  • 36 DISCUSSION Tasmanian Glow-Worm Key Factors Influencing
    DISCUSSION Tasmanian Glow-worm Key factors influencing the occurrence and distribution of animals in terrestrial caves are food availability and climate — particularly moisture (Barr 1968; Culver 1982). This study provides evidence that both factors influence the life cycle of A. tasmaniensis. Food availability was clearly associated with the main period of pupation and adult emergence of A. tasmaniensis. In both Mystery Creek Cave and Exit Cave, prey was most frequently recorded in the threads of glow-worm larvae during spring, summer and early autumn, which is consistent with the general pattern of insect emergence from streams in temperate latitudes (Hynes 1970). Prey began appearing in larval threads in late winter and increased in number during spring, coinciding with the appearance and increase in number of A. tasmaniensis pupae and adults. In A. luminosa it has been reported that larval body weight or size triggers pupation and that this depended on food availability (Richards 1964; Meyer-Rochow 1990). A. tasmaniensis larvae were present all year round, but the number of larvae glowing varied seasonally and the pattern of variation was not the same in the two caves studied. In Mystery Creek Cave the number of larvae glowing was highest from late spring through to autumn and lowest in winter and early spring. In Exit Cave there was no consistent seasonal pattern in the number of larvae glowing, and overall there was less variation between monthly counts than at Mystery Creek Cave. Furthermore, at one monitoring site in Exit Cave (EC3) the seasonal pattern was the reverse of that observed in Mystery Creek Cave.
    [Show full text]
  • Leisure & Activities
    LEISURE & ACTIVITIES COMPENDIUM You can mix and match any of our experiences to suit your trip, just contact [email protected] and let us create a seamless itinerary for you. www.helenabay.com | Ph +64 9 433 6006 Disclaimer: All prices are in New Zealand dollars and include GST, unless otherwise stated. Prices are indicative only, dependent on the operator and season, and subject to change. CONTENTS ON-SITE OFF-SITE THE MAIN HOUSE UP IN THE AIR Don Alfonso 2 Helena Bay Helicopter 12 Degustation Dinner Luxury Helicopter Tours 13 Dining Options Helicopter Transfer Add-Ons 14 Private Dining The Den, Formal Lounge Helicopter Experiences 15 & Formal Lounge Loggia 3 Sky Diving The Wine Cellar Para-sailing 16 The Fire Pit THE OCEAN Picnics 4 Poor Knights Private Charter, WELLBEING Paddle Board Tours & Surfing 17 Spa World Fishing 18 Gymnasium Diving 19 Swimming Pool 5 Cruising Catamaran, Massage Therapy Dolphin & Sea Life Experiences 20 Special Packages 6 THE LAND THE LAND Golf Polaris 4WDs Kauri Cliffs Mohei Pavilion Waitangi Golf Club 21 Farm & Garden Tours Walks 7 Horse Trekking 22 Birdlife Cultural Tours Mountain Bikes Kiwi North, Whangarei Tennis Court Waitangi Treaty House 23 Glow Worms 8 Wineries & Restaurants 24 Claybird Shooting 9 Transfers to Helena Bay Lodge 25 THE OCEAN Fishing Kayaking Stand-up Paddleboarding Snorkeling 10 2 ON-SITE | THE MAIN HOUSE THE MAIN HOUSE DON ALFONSO 1890 Helena Bay has brought the celebrated Michelin starred Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890 of Southern Italy to New Zealand. Don Alfonso’s philosophy of respecting the local food culture, while incorporating the age-old traditions of the Sorrento peninsula and the Amalfi Coast, will define the hospitality experience at Helena Bay.
    [Show full text]
  • Eyes of Two Keroplatid Dipterans: the Luminescent Arachnocampa
    Eyes of two keroplatid dipterans 117 Entomologie heute 28 (2016): 117-126 Eyes of two Keroplatid Dipterans: the Luminescent Arachnocampa luminosa and the Non-luminescent Neoditomyia farri plus Comments on Luminescent and Non-luminescent Beetles and Gastropods Augen zweier keroplatider Diptera: der lumineszierenden Arachnocampa luminosa und der nicht-lumineszierenden Neoditomyia farri sowie Bemerkungen zu lumineszierenden und nicht-lumineszierenden Käfern und Schnecken VICTOR BENNO MEYER-ROCHOW Summary: The non-luminescent Neoditomyia farri has eyes with more but smaller facets (1,000-1,250; 23-25 μm) than the luminescent Arachnocampa luminosa (approx. 750; 27-28 μm). The latter, however, has wider interommatidial angles (5.5° versus ca. 4°) and somewhat more voluminous rhabdoms, indicative of a higher sensitivity to light than N. farri. Corneal nipples, screening pigment granules and gross anatomical organization of the retina are virtually identical in the two species, suggesting that the bright larval luminescence in A. luminosa has had no or only a minimal effect on the orga- nization of the eye of the adult unlike the situation in, for example, fi refl ies and luminescent and non-luminescent limpets, in which the luminescent partner of the comparison had larger eyes, a more extensive dioptric apparatus and a more voluminous retina. The signifi cantly more numerous and longer interommatidial hairs in A. luminosa could be related to a more strictly cavernicolous life and need to deal with tactile stimuli. Keywords: Bioluminescence, compound eyes, vision, insects, troglophile mycetophilids Zusammenfassung: Die Augen der nicht-lumineszierenden Neoditomyia farri besitzen zwar mehr kleinere Facetten (1.000-1.250; 23-25 μm) als jene der lumineszenten Art Arachnocampa luminosa, doch besitzt letztere grössere Interommatidialwinkel (5,5° gegenüber ca.
    [Show full text]
  • Fluorescent Rocks & Minerals
    Fluorescent Rocks & Minerals Auckland Teacher's Day Dec 4th 2020 Martyn P. Coles 2 Definitions and Background • LUMINESCENCE defined as: "Light, or a glow, emitted by a luminescent (cool) object or surface" (Oxford English Dictionary) • an energy source promotes an electron of an atom from its "ground" (lowest-energy) state into an "excited" (higher-energy) state • the electron gives back the energy in the form of light so it can fall back to its "ground" state Excited State ENERGY e e LIGHT Ground Ground State State 3 Types of Luminescence CHEMILUMINESCENCE : luminescence where the energy is supplied by chemical reactions For example - Glow-sticks • typically the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with a solution of phenyl oxylate ester and a dye molecule (http://www.neonhusky.com) Ph O O O H2O2 O C Dye 2 Ph OH + 2 CO2 + Dye* O C O O O LIGHT Ph Dye 5 Types of Luminescence BIOLUMINESCENCE : luminescence where the chemical reactions occur in living things (a type of Chemiluminescence) For example – Glow Worm (Lampyris Noctiluca) • chemical responsible : LUCIFERIN CO H N N 2 HO S S (http://www.wildinbritain.co.uk) • enzyme (LUCIFERASE) catalyses Luciferin Oxyluciferin oxidation of luciferin to give + O2 inactive oxyluciferin and light LIGHT 5b New Zealand’s own Arachnocampa Luminosa Waitomo Glowworm Caves (can also be seen in Zealandia / Karori…) 6 Fluorescence FLUORESCENCE : luminescence where the energy is supplied by electro- magnetic radiation "The coloured luminosity produced in some transparent bodies by the direct action of light, esp. of the violet and ultra-violet rays; the property, in certain substances, of rendering the ultra-violet rays visible, so as to produce this phenomenon" (Oxford English Dictionary) UV-Light Eu3+ vis Eu3+ UV 7 Electromagnetic Spectrum Wavelength (l) u Radio l = c Microwave E = h u E = h c Infrared l Visible • l inverse relationship with frequency, u Ultraviolet i.e.
    [Show full text]