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Light-mimicking cockroaches indicate Tertiary origin of recent terrestrial luminescence

Light-mimicking cockroaches indicate Tertiary origin of recent terrestrial luminescence Bioluminescence is a common feature of the communication and defence of marine organisms, but this phenomenon is highly restricted in the terrestrial biota. Here, we present a geographical distribution of only the third order of luminescent insects—luminescent cockroaches, with all 13 known and/or herein reported new living species (based on deposited specimens). We show that, for the first time, photo-characteristics of three examined species are nearly identical with those of toxic luminescent click beetles, which they mimic. These observations are the evidence for the mimicry by light—a new type of defensive, Batesian and interordinal mimicry. Our analysis surprisingly reveals an evolutionary novelty of all living luminescent insects, while in the sea (and possibly in the soil) luminescence is present also phylogenetically in very primitive organisms. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Naturwissenschaften Springer Journals

Light-mimicking cockroaches indicate Tertiary origin of recent terrestrial luminescence

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References (58)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 by Springer-Verlag
Subject
Life Sciences; Environment, general; Life Sciences, general
ISSN
0028-1042
eISSN
1432-1904
DOI
10.1007/s00114-012-0956-7
pmid
22864963
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Bioluminescence is a common feature of the communication and defence of marine organisms, but this phenomenon is highly restricted in the terrestrial biota. Here, we present a geographical distribution of only the third order of luminescent insects—luminescent cockroaches, with all 13 known and/or herein reported new living species (based on deposited specimens). We show that, for the first time, photo-characteristics of three examined species are nearly identical with those of toxic luminescent click beetles, which they mimic. These observations are the evidence for the mimicry by light—a new type of defensive, Batesian and interordinal mimicry. Our analysis surprisingly reveals an evolutionary novelty of all living luminescent insects, while in the sea (and possibly in the soil) luminescence is present also phylogenetically in very primitive organisms.

Journal

NaturwissenschaftenSpringer Journals

Published: Aug 5, 2012

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