Flash signal evolution, mate choice, and predation in fireflies.

@article{Lewis2008FlashSE,
  title={Flash signal evolution, mate choice, and predation in fireflies.},
  author={Sara M. Lewis and Christopher K. Cratsley},
  journal={Annual review of entomology},
  year={2008},
  volume={53},
  pages={
          293-321
        }
}
Many key advances in our understanding of firefly biology and signaling have been made over the past two decades. Here we review this recent research, which includes new phylogenetic results that shed light on the evolution of courtship signal diversity within the family Lampyridae, new insights into firefly flash control, and the discovery of firefly nuptial gifts. We present a comprehensive overview of sexual selection in lampyrids, including evidence from Photinus fireflies that females… Expand
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The Dark Side of the Light Show: Predators of Fireflies in the Great Smoky Mountains
TLDR
A field survey and laboratory studies revealed a surprisingly diverse suite of generalist and specialist predators feeding on fireflies within P. carolinus breeding aggregations, which appears to create a complex selective landscape that is predicted to be a powerful force shaping the evolution of firefly defenses. Expand
Energy and Predation Costs of Firefly Courtship Signals
TLDR
This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of signal costs for Photinus fireflies, using controlled experiments to measure both the energy and predation costs associated with their bioluminescent courtship signals and indicates the importance of multiple‐receiver communication networks in driving signal evolution. Expand
Determinants of reproductive success across sequential episodes of sexual selection in a firefly
  • A. South, S. Lewis
  • Biology, Medicine
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
  • 2012
TLDR
This study experimentally manipulated both the attractiveness of the courtship signal visible to female Photinus greeni fireflies before mating and male nuptial gift size to determine how these traits might each influence mate acceptance and paternity share and found no effect of Courtship signal attractiveness or pericopulatory behaviour on male reproductive success. Expand
Flash signal evolution in Photinus fireflies: Character displacement and signal exploitation in a visual communication system
TLDR
This comprehensive study of visual signal evolution of Photinus fireflies used a phylogenetic approach to study the evolution of the flash communication system of North American fireflies and suggested two temporal pattern generators: one forflash duration and one for flash intervals. Expand
Natural History and Flash Repertoire of the Synchronous Firefly Photinus carolinus (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
TLDR
Male guarding of a female pupa, mate guarding via prolonged copulation, common predator and phorid infestation challenges for this firefly are described. Expand
Vision-mediated courtship in a nocturnal arthropod
TLDR
It is unambiguously demonstrated for the first time that body coloration plays an important role as a visual signal in the mating of nocturnal spiders. Expand
Do courtship flashes of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) serve as aposematic signals to insectivorous bats?
TLDR
Flash signals of fireflies probably operate as aposematic warnings to the common bat, Eptesicus fuscus, supporting the idea that bioluminescent courtship in fireflies operates under competing selective pressures. Expand
Firefly flashing and jumping spider predation
TLDR
Although bioluminescent flash signals may increase attack rates by predatory jumping spiders, they may also facilitate learning about unpalatable prey, and the costs and benefits of flashing may depend on the prevalence of firefly palatability. Expand
The size of signal detection and emission organs in a synchronous firefly: sexual dimorphism, allometry and assortative mating
TLDR
Sexual dimorphism in features of lantern, eye or body size, 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 ofSexual selection among females. Expand
Courtship and Mating in Phausis reticulata (Coleoptera: Lampyridae): Male Flight Behaviors, Female Glow Displays, and Male Attraction to Light Traps
TLDR
Results indicate that the courtship signaling and mating biology of P. reticulata is more complex than previously thought, and the description of new categories of male mate-searching search behaviors and nightly display activities are described. Expand
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Energy and Predation Costs of Firefly Courtship Signals
TLDR
This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of signal costs for Photinus fireflies, using controlled experiments to measure both the energy and predation costs associated with their bioluminescent courtship signals and indicates the importance of multiple‐receiver communication networks in driving signal evolution. Expand
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