Researchers have explained why fireflies’ fifth spots glow at night and how they use this feature.
The firefly (Aquatica leii) is an aquatic species in which males and females have light organs that can send signals to each other. IFLScience writes that in the new study, scientists focused on examining the genome of the male firefly, which is believed to be the largest of all firefly species studied.
The team states that they aim to unravel the genetics that lead to the development of flashing lights in these insects. It was revealed that in fireflies, when they are larvae, the light organ is formed in the eighth part of the abdomen and serves to scare away predators. However, when they reach maturity, these insects’ light organs are located in a compartmentalized part of their abdomen known as the ventrite. For example, in men, this organ is located in the 6th and 7th ventricles, and in women, it is only in the 6th ventricle.
In Focus. Technologies emerged telegram channel. Subscribe to avoid missing the latest and most exciting news from the world of science!
In their studies, scientists focused on examining the genes that control the position of various cells during embryonic development. Note that some of these genes also play a determining role in the formation of the light organ in adults.
The researchers focused on two factors in their study:
- genes that control the position of the light organ in the abdomen;
- Genes involved in the expression of light-producing genes from the organ itself.
The second process involves the enzyme luciferase, which emits light when oxidized. This means that the luciferase gene must be expressed first; This means that the insect can produce this enzyme internally. Second, to make the animal bioluminescent, luciferase must be delivered to the desired location, in this case the reaction organelle.
The results of the study showed that one factor was particularly important for the development of the insect’s light organ: Al ABD-B. The team also found that it interacts with AlUNC-4, another factor that likely helps regulate it. Both of these factors together activate the AlLuc1 gene, which produces luciferase, which is responsible for bioluminescence.
Another discovery was three other genes used to control flashes of the light organ (ALAntp, AlRepo and AlAp2). Experiments also showed that the absence of luciferase led to a lack of luminescence in fireflies.
Previously Focus He wrote what species were found in 2023, but it would be better not to find them: a vampire wasp and a giant crayfish spider.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.