Abstract
The first Oculogryphus species with associated males and female was found in Hong Kong and is described as new: O. chenghoiyanae sp. n. Adults of both sexes were collected live in the field and their bioluminescent behavior is reported for the first time in the genus. The captive males emit weak and continuous light from a pair of light spots on abdominal ventrite 6 or do so when disturbed. The larviform (highly paedomorphic) females can glow brightly from a pair of light-emitting organs on the abdomen. The females of Oculogryphus and Stenocladius are to date the only documented representatives of paedomorphism in ototretine fireflies. The finding is consistent with the evidence from male morphology and bioluminescent behavior, supporting the close relationship between the two genera. A key to the Oculogryphus species is provided. The Oculogryphus females can fluoresce with a blue-green light through the whole body under ultraviolet illumination, a phenomenon reported in the Lampyridae for the first time. The co-occurrence of bioluminescence and fluorescence is rare in terrestrial ecosystems, previously known only in some millipedes (Diplopoda). The fluorescence and bioluminescence abilities of Oculogryphus females are functionally independent: abdominal light-emitting organs producing bright yellowish green light while the body wall fluoresces with blue-green light. In contrast, fluorescence and bioluminescence in millipedes are biochemically linked, like in some jellyfish (Cnidaria: Medusozoa).
Highlights
The firefly subfamily Ototretinae is non-typical for having drilid- or cantharid-like appearance, with bioluminescent organs small or absent
Four specimens were collected alive by YV from Hong Kong in May, 2017
In comparison with O. fulvus, the new species has dark brown elytra whereas the former is brown throughout; its MP3+4 of hind wings is vestigial but well-defined in O. fulvus; basal end of the aedeagal sheath is broadly rounded instead of tapering towards base in O. fulvus; the median lobe of O. chenghoiyanae is more slender than in O. fulvus in lateral aspect
Summary
The firefly subfamily Ototretinae is non-typical for having drilid- or cantharid-like appearance, with bioluminescent organs small or absent. It has gone through extensive modifications in familial assignment, ranked hierarchy, definition, and spectrum of included taxa through time, and become stabilized only recently (Olivier 1907, 1910, Wittmer 1944, McDermott 1964, 1966, Crowson 1972, Branham and Wenzel 2001, Geisthardt and Satô 2007, Jeng 2008, Janisova and Bocakova 2013). Females are known only from a few species in three out of the 21 ototretine genera (Janisova and Bocakova 2013, see discussion). Bioluminescent behavior for the genus, and of fluorescence by the females is provided
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