Flash Signal Evolution, Mate Choice, and Predation in Fireflies

• Published in: Annual review of entomology Vol. 53; no. 1; pp. 293 - 321
• Main Authors: Lewis, S.M, Cratsley, C.K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palo Alto, CA Annual Reviews 01-01-2008
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal Communication; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biological evolution; bioluminescence; bioluminescent signals; chemical defense; courtship; courtship signaling; evolution; Female; Fireflies - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; insect communication; Lampyridae; literature reviews; Male; mating behavior; natural selection; nuptial gifts; Photinus; predation; predator-prey relationships; Predatory Behavior; Protozoa. Invertebrata; Selection, Genetic; Sexual Behavior, Animal - physiology; sexual selection; Species Specificity; Bioluminescence; Animal communication; Sexual selection; nuptial gifts; Coleoptera; Insecta; Biological evolution; Mate selection; Review; Phylogeny; Courtship behavior; Natural selection; courtship; Arthropoda; Courtship feeding; Lampyridae; Predation; Invertebrata
• ISSN: 0066-4170; 1545-4487
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev.ento.53.103106.093346

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 choose their mates on the basis of male flash signals, and discuss the importance of examining both precopulatory and postcopulatory sexual selection in this group. Finally, we review recent findings on firefly chemical defenses, and discuss their implications for flash signal evolution in response to generalist predators as well as specialist predatory fireflies. This review provides new insight into how firefly flash signals have been shaped by the dual evolutionary processes of sexual selection (mate choice) and natural selection (predation), and proposes several exciting directions for future research.