[PaleoEntomology • 2026] Icaroramus perisi • A Firefly Relative that Smelled and Glowed: Evidence for Complex Signalling Systems in Cretaceous lampyroids

Icaroramus perisi Li, Kundrata & Cai 

in Li, Kundrata, Huang, Myint et Cai, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.0295 

Artwork by Ding-Hua Yang

Abstract

The evolution of insect sensory and signalling systems has played a key role in arthropod diversification, yet direct fossil evidence illuminating their early history remains rare. Lampyroids, including fireflies and their relatives, are notable for their elaborately modified antennae and bioluminescence. These characteristics make them an exceptional model for understanding the coevolution of sensory and signalling modalities. Here we describe Icaroramus perisi gen. et sp. nov. from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, a lampyroid beetle tentatively placed within Cretophengodidae. Icaroramus is exceptional in possessing both extraordinarily elaborate antennae and a well-developed photic organ. Its 12-segmented quadriheteroramose antennae represent an antennal architecture unknown among extant and fossil beetles. Functionally, these antennae likely combined an expanded olfactory surface area with differentiated sensory fields, enhancing the detection of pheromonal cues. Mate location was therefore probably mediated primarily by pheromones, whereas bioluminescence may have retained its plesiomorphic role in aposematic defence. This discovery expands the known morphological and ecological diversity of Cretaceous lampyroids and provides new insight into the origins of complex signalling strategies in fireflies and their relatives.

Keywords: Cretophengodidae, Kachin amber, heteroramose antenna, mating strategy, bioluminescence  

  

Icaroramus perisi, holotype, NIGP209038.
(A, B) Habitus, dorsal and ventral views, under reflected illumination. (C) Schematic reconstruction of antenna (proportions approximate).

Scale bars: 2 mm in (A,B).

Systematic palaeontology

Order Coleoptera Linnaeus, 1758

Superfamily Elateroidea Leach, 1815

Family (?) Cretophengodidae Li et al., 2021

Genus Icaroramus Li, Kundrata & Cai gen. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Antennae 12-segmented; antennomeres 4–11 quadriheteroramose, each with two morphologically different pairs of rami (figures 1C, 2A–C) (antennomeres 4–11 biramose in Cretophengodes Li et al.). Pronotum with posterior angles acute and shortly produced posteriorly (figure 1A) (posterior pronotal angles obtuse in Cretophengodes). Prosternum in front of coxae longer than longitudinal diameter of procoxal cavity; prosternal process extending well beyond procoxae and fitting into mesoventral cavity (figure 2D). Mesoventral cavity well developed (figure 2E). Abdomen with six ventrites; ventrite 6 with entire surface luminous (figure 1B) (possible luminous organ present on medial portions of abdominal ventrites 1–3 in Cretophengodes).

Etymology. The generic name is formed from Icarus, the mythological figure who flew too close to the Sun and fell into the sea, and ramus, referring to the multiple long rami on each antennomere. It metaphorically evokes an evolutionary ‘overreach’, a unique antennal elaboration that was lost and not inherited by extant lineages. The name is masculine in gender.

Icaroramus perisi Li, Kundrata, Cai sp. nov.  

Etymology. The species is named after the palaeoentomologist Dr David Peris.

 

Artistic reconstruction of Icaroramus perisi glowing in mid-Cretaceous forest.

 

Yan-Da Li; Robin Kundrata; Diying Huang; Tin Aung Myint; Chenyang Cai. 2026. A Firefly Relative that Smelled and Glowed: Evidence for Complex Signalling Systems in Cretaceous lampyroids. Proc. R. Soc. B (2026) 293 (2075): 20260295. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.0295 [29 Jul 2026]

Cretaceous Beetle Fossil Reveals Early Evolution of Firefly Sensory and Signaling Systems

https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/research-news/202607/t20260729_1179346.shtml

 

[Entomology • 2026] Diaphanes meghalayanus & D. mawlynnong • Two New firefly Species of the Genus Diaphanes Motschulsky, 1853 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Lampyrinae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India

 

[A–B] Diaphanes meghalayanus sp. nov.;
[C–D] D. mawlynnong sp. nov.   

Nonglang, Das, Shangpliang, 

in Nonglang, Wijekoon, Ryndong, Das, Sengupta et Shangpliang, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.48311/jibs.12.02.415  

facebook.com: Chandana Wijekoon

Abstract

Two new Diaphanes Motschulsky 1853 species, D. meghalayanus Nonglang, Das, Shangpliang sp. nov., and D. mawlynnong Nonglang, Das, Shangpliang sp. nov., from Meghalaya, Northeast India, are described. Diaphanes meghalayanus sp. nov., is characterised by a unique colour pattern of the central disc, the absence of a typical circular pronotal areolet area, brownish-yellow pronotum and elytra, and other specific features of male genitalia. Diaphanes mawlynnong sp. nov., is distinct with rare moniliform antennae, circular-shaped pronotal areolet areas with blunt posterior lateral corners, and specific genital aedeagus characters. The female of D. mawlynnong sp. nov., which is apterous, was found in the same habitat where its males were associated. 13 Diaphanes species have been recorded from India, and with the discovery of these two new species, the number of Diaphanes species recorded in the country increases to 15. This knowledge significantly contributes to the existing information gap of Diaphanes diversity and distribution in this region.

 

Keywords: Biodiversity Hotspot, Indo-Burma, Lampyrids, Oriental, taxonomy

 

 General habitus of two new Diaphanes species from India, males.
A–B. Diaphanes meghalayanus sp. nov.; C–D. Diaphanes mawlynnong sp. nov.,
A., C. Dorsal view; B., D. Ventral view.

Diaphanes meghalayanus Nonglang, Das, Shangpliang sp. nov. 

Diaphanes mawlynnong Nonglang, Das & Shangpliang sp. nov. 

Emma Magdalene Nonglang, Chandana Dammika Wijekoon, Memorial M Ryndong, Dhiraj Kumar Das, Samrat Sengupta and Jane Wanry Shangpliang. 2026. Two New firefly Species of the Genus Diaphanes Motschulsky, 1853 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Lampyrinae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India. Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics. 12(2); 415-429. DOI: doi.org/10.48311/jibs.12.02.415 [2026-04-25]

https://www.biotaxa.org/jibs/article/view/87726

 facebook.com/ChandanaWijekoon3/posts/27450493694537347

[Entomology • 2025] Medeopteryx taprobana • A New Species of Firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) from Coastal Habitats in Southern, Sri Lanka

Medeopteryx taprobana 

De Silva, Gamage, Wijekoon & Wegiriya, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2025.04.010 

Highlights: 

• For the first time, fireflies of the genus Medeopteryx Ballantyne have been recorded in Sri Lanka.

• Medeopteryx taprobana is a new species found in Sri Lanka.

• Males, females, and larvae of Med. taprobana were found in a coastal habitat with mangroves.

• The phylogeny of Med. taprobana was determined using mitochondrial DNA barcoding and morphological investigation.

Abstract

We present the first record of the firefly genus Medeopteryx Ballantyne from Sri Lanka with descriptions of male, female, and larvae of a new species, Medeopteryx taprobana De Silva, Gamage & Wijekoon sp. nov., from a mangrove–associated coastal habitat in Matara, Southern Sri Lanka, with their phylogenetic placement based on mitochondrial DNA barcoding. This new species is distinguished from other Medeopteryx by not having trisinuate posterior projections (with a weak median posterior projection) of ventrite 7 and other specific characteristics of the aedeagal sheath. An updated list of species and a key to Medeopterx described species in the world are presented.

Keywords: Barcoding, fireflies, new records, South Asia

Medeopteryx taprobana sp. nov. 
male andfemale: A, dorsal view; B, ventral view. 

  <scale bar: 1 mm>

Mating pair of Medeopteryx taprobana sp. nov. in tail-to-tail position (initial interaction).

Medeopteryx taprobana sp. nov.

 Etymology. This species is named "taprobana,” which was a Latin name that was used by the ancient Greeks for Sri Lanka. The name “Taprobana” was derived from the name "Tamraparni," which refers to the "copper–colored" shores of Sri Lanka. We use the name taprobana as a noun in apposition to preserve the original language.

 

Dilshan R. De Silva, Lahiru M.P. Gamage, Chandana D. Wijekoon and Hemantha C.E. Wegiriya. 2025. Medeopteryx taprobana sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae): A New Species from Coastal Habitats in Southern, Sri Lanka. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2025.04.010 [24 May 2025]

[Entomology • 2025] Lamellipalpodes asmita • A New Species of non-luminous firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Ototretinae) from West Bengal, India with SEM study of mechano- and chemoreceptive sensilla

 

 Lamellipalpodes asmita

Chakrovorty & Bhattacharjee, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2024.102367 

facebook.com/ChakrovortyArnob97

Highlights

• A new species of Lamellipalpodes discovered from India.

• For the first time, the mechanosensitive and chemosensitive sensilla of this subfamily have been described.

• Twenty-four different sensilla has been identified.

• A significant difference in the type of sensilla present in palpomeres and antennomeres has been observed.

• Three sensilla of distinct morphology and a specialized apico-marginal sensory field on maxillary palps has been identified.

Abstract

A new species of non-luminous firefly, Lamellipalpodes asmita Chakrovorty & Bhattacharjee sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Ototretinae) discovered from the campus of the University of Kalyani, West Bengal, India is described, illustrated and compared with other known species of the genus from India. The male genitalia, morphometry and other important characters are illustrated and described. Additionally, a dichotomous identification key to Indian Lamellipalpodes is provided. The mechanoreceptive and chemoreceptive sensilla of Lamellipalpodes asmita Chakrovorty & Bhattacharjee sp. nov. were studied utilizing scanning electron microscopy. Ten different types of sensilla namely, sensilla ampullacea, sensilla basiconica, sensilla chaetica, sensilla coeloconica, sensilla placodea, sensilla styloconica, sensilla trichodia, cone-shaped sensillum, dome-shaped sensilla, peg-like sensilla and their twenty-four different subtypes have been identified with maxillary and labial palps possessing eight subtypes not found on antennomeres. Cone-shaped, dome-shaped and peg-like sensilla were of distinct, previously unknown morphology. This study unravels the significance of the atypical maxillary palp and labial palp morphology of the species and sheds light on structure–function relationship of these unusual morphological features.

 

Keywords: Non-luminous firefly, Functional morphology, Large palpomeres, Oriental region, Asia

Taxonomy

Order: Coleoptera Linnaeus, 1758

Family: Lampyridae Rafinesque, 1815

Subfamily: Ototretinae McDermott, 1964

Genus Lamellipalpodes Maulik, 1921

Lamellipalpodes asmita Chakrovorty & Bhattacharjee sp. nov.

 Lamellipalpodes asmita Chakrovorty & Bhattacharjee sp. nov. (male):
(A) Dorsal habitus; (B) Ventral habitus; (C) Lateral habitus.

Etymology: This species is named after Dr. Asmita Samadder, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, for her contribution in the field of nanomedicine, molecular biology and cytogenetics and her mentorship and patronage to Arnob Chakrovorty and Banani Bhattacharjee.

Arnob Chakrovorty and Banani Bhattacharjee. 2025. Lamellipalpodes asmita sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Ototretinae), A New Species of non-luminous firefly from West Bengal, India with SEM study of mechano- and chemoreceptive sensilla. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. 28(1); 102367. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2024.102367

 facebook.com/ChakrovortyArnob97/posts/8994750277286457

[Entomology • 2024] Diaphanes uvaparanagama • A New Species of the Genus Diaphanes (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Lampyrinae) from Sri Lanka

Diaphanes uvaparanagama Wijekoon, 

in Wijekoon et Wegiriya, 2024.

Asian Journal of Conservation Biology. 13(2); 

 Researchgate.net/publication/386457258 

 facebook.com: Chandana Wijekoon

ABSTRACT 

A new species, Diaphanes uvaparanagama Wijekoon sp. nov., from a freshwater-associated habitat in Uva province, Intermediate Zone, Sri Lanka, is described using males and reliably associated larvae. Males of this species are distinguished by a transparent pronotum and elytra with bright red thoracic terga and mesocutellum, pale yellow abdominal ventrites, and medial restricted photogenic organs. The conical-shaped photogenic organs challenge the traditional generic diagnosis of Diaphanes using light organ morphology. 

Key words: Diaphanes, fireflies, new records, Sri Lanka

Diaphanes uvaparanagama (Male);
A Pronotum (dorsal). B. Elytra (dorsal). C. Head & Antennae. D Thorax & Legs; E. Abdomen (ventrites I-VIII). G. Light organ in ventrite VII & VII. (Scale bar = 1mm) (Note: natural colors are faded in alcohol specimens)

Family: Lampyridae Rafinesque, 1815 

Subfamily: Lampyrinae Rafinesque, 1815 

Genus: Diaphanes Motschulsky, 1853

Diaphanes uvaparanagama Wijekoon sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Male: 10–11 mm long, distinguished from other recorded Diaphanes by the transparent pronotum and elytra with vivid red thoracic terga and mesocutellum, distinctly pale yellow abdominal ventrites (I - VIII), black legs except the pale yellow femora, LO in both V6 and V7 are median restricted, conical-shaped and milky white (Figs. 2 - 5) 

Larvae: 28.0–30.0 mm long, black dorsum with distinct white vertical spotted lines, pale yellow spots on posterior margin of each segment and outer margin of entire body, mid sagittal line clear, body elongated rather wide, first abdominal segment less longer than others (Figure 6). 

Etymology: This species is named for the area “Uvaparanagama,” where the first specimen was found. This area is located in Welimada, Uva Province, Sri Lanka. We use the name Uvaparanagama as a noun in apposition to preserve the original language. 

W. M. C. D. Wijekoon and H. C. E. Wegiriya. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Diaphanes (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Lampyrinae), D. uvaparanagama Wijekoon, from Sri Lanka. Asian Journal of Conservation Biology. 13(2); 

 Researchgate.net/publication/386457258_A_new_species_of_Diaphanes_from_Sri_Lanka

 facebook.com/ChandanaWijekoon3/posts/9493375230675802

[Entomology • 2024] Pygoluciola rammale & P. ruhuna • First Record of the Genus Pygoluciola Wittmer (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) from Sri Lanka with Two New Species

 

 Pygoluciola rammale Wijekoon & De Silva & P. ruhuna Wijekoon & De Silva,  

in Wijekoon, Ballantyne, De Silva, Wegiriya et Madushanka, 2024. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5428.3.4

facebook.com: Chandana Wijekoon

 

Abstract

We present the first record of the Southeast Asian firefly genus, Pygoluciola Wittmer, 1939 from Sri Lanka with descriptions of two new distinctive yellow species, P. rammale Wijekoon & De Silva sp. nov. and P. ruhuna Wijekoon & De Silva sp. nov. Both species are from a low-land forest in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, and females were associated with males when captured together in copula. An updated list of species, and key to males and known females of Pygoluciola is presented.

Coleoptera, fireflies, new records, South Asia 

W. M. C. D Wijekoon, L. A Ballantyne, D. R De Silva, H. C. E Wegiriya and A. D. T. I Madushanka. 2024. First Record of the Genus Pygoluciola Wittmer (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) from Sri Lanka with Two New Species, P. rammale and P. ruhuna.  Zootaxa. 5428(3); 393-412. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5428.3.4

  facebook.com/DilshanRuwansiri5/posts/1580868682763940

  facebook.com/companyofenvironment76/posts/874573118014737

[Entomology • 2023] Medeopteryx alacauda, M. incisura, M. isaanensis & M. maehongsonensis • Description of Four New Medeopteryx Ballantyne (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) Species from Thailand and their phylogenetic placements based on mitochondrial DNA

  Medeopteryx alacauda, M. incisura, 
 Medeopteryx isaanensis, M. maehongsonensis 

Sriboonlert, Swatdipong & Sartsanga, 

in Sriboonlert, Swatdipong, Sartsanga, Prommarit, Chittavichai,  Jusoh et Wonnapinij, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102084 

 twitter.com/WanFAJusoh

Highlights: 

• Four new species of Medeopteryx fireflies from Thailand are reported.

• Detailed descriptions and a key to these four new species are provided.

• Phylogenetic analyses revealed close relationship among four Luciolinae genera.

Abstract

Four new species of fireflies from Thailand have been discovered and identified. These new species belong to the genus Medeopteryx Ballantyne, a firefly genus originally assigned based on species found only in Australia and New Guinea. This discovery adds four more species to the existing 21 species members of this genus. This report presents the first fully described species of Medeopteryx from Thailand. Detailed descriptions of Medeopteryx alacauda sp. nov., Medeopteryx maehongsonensis sp. nov., Medeopteryx incisura, sp. nov. and Medeopteryx isaanensis, sp. nov. are provided along with a key to the species of this genus. Phylogenetic trees of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and concatenated 13 mitochondrial protein coding genes were constructed to analyse the relationship among these new Medeopteryx species and other related firefly taxa. The phylogenetic trees revealed a close relationship of four Luciolinae genera (i.e. Pteroptyx, Inflata, Medeopteryx and Trisinuata) grouped into one monophyletic clade which was sister to the remaining genera of this subfamily. The results from these analyses suggest a further taxonomic revision for this group of Luciolinae.

Keywords: Fireflies, Medeopteryx, Inflata, Phylogeny, Taxonomy, cytochrome oxidase I

Medeopteryx alacauda Sriboonlert, Swatdipong, and Sartsanga sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name refers to an outline of T8 posterior margin of the male which resemble bat wing outline (Latin ala = wing, cauda = extreme part/tail).

Remarks. Med. alacauda sp. nov. was found in two different habitats. One was an open forest on the mountain with small running stream in Chiang Mai province. Another habitat was a reservoir with much less vegetations than the first locality.

Medeopteryx incisura Sriboonlert, Swatdipong, and Sartsanga, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name derives from the slit light organ characteristic on V7 of this species (Latin incisura = slit).

Remarks. Medeopteryx incisura sp. nov. was collected using a sweep net in a rubber tree plantation on the Thung Phen canel, Chantaburi province.

...

Medeopteryx isaanensis Sriboonlert, Swatdipong, and Sartsanga, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name refers to the region [i-saan = northeastern Thailand] the specimens were collected from.

Remarks. Med. isaanensis (pronounced: ee-săhn-en-sis) sp. nov. was collected using a sweep net at the reservoir in the northeastern Thailand. It is important to note that this Med. isaanensis can be found in the same region as I. indica, a species that is widespread across Thailand (Ballantyne et al. 2015; personal observation).

...

Medeopteryx maehongsonensis Sriboonlert, Swatdipong, and Sartsanga, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name derives from Mae Hong Son province, the sampling locality of the holotype specimen.

Remarks. Med. maehongsonensis sp. nov. was collected using a sweep net. This species was found in two localities, 180 km apart in Mae Hong Son province, northern Thailand. Flash pattern has not been observed for this species.

...

Ajaraporn Sriboonlert, Akarapong Swatdipong, Channarong Sartsanga, Kamonchat Prommarit, Thanyaporn Chittavichai, Wan F.A. Jusoh and Passorn Wonnapinij. 2023. Description of Four New Medeopteryx Ballantyne (Coleoptera, Lampyridae, Luciolinae) Species from Thailand and their phylogenetic placements based on mitochondrial DNA.  Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. 26(2); 102084. DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102084 

 twitter.com/WanFAJusoh/status/1652151185133154304

[Entomology • 2021] Luciola singapura • Molecular Systematics of the Firefly Genus Luciola (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) with the Description of a New Species from Singapore

Luciola singapura Jusoh & Ballantyne

in Jusoh, Ballantyne, Chan, et al., 2021.  

 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030687 

 LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg 

  twitter.com/WanFAJusoh 

Abstract

The firefly genus Luciola sensu McDermott contains 282 species that are distributed across major parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific islands. Due to phenotypic similarities, species identification using external morphological characters can be unreliable for this group. Consequently, decades of piecemeal taxonomic treatments have resulted in numerous erroneous and contentious classifications. Furthermore, our understanding of the group’s evolutionary history is limited due to the lack of a robust phylogenetic framework that has also impeded efforts to stabilize its taxonomy. Here, we constructed molecular phylogenies of Luciola and its allies based on combined mitogenomes and Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) sequences including a newly sequenced mitogenome of an unidentified taxon from Singapore. Our results showed that this taxon represents a distinct and hitherto undescribed evolutionary lineage that forms a clade with L. filiformis from Japan and L. curtithorax from China. Additionally, the Singaporean lineage can be differentiated from other congeners through several external and internal diagnostic morphological characters, and is thus described herein as a new species. Our phylogeny also strongly supported the paraphyly of Luciola with regard to L. cruciata and L. owadai, which were inferred to be more closely related to the genus Aquatica as opposed to other members of Luciola sensu stricto. The genus Hotaria was inferred as a derived clade within Luciola (sister to L. italica), supporting its status as a subgenus of Luciola instead of a distinct genus. This is the first time since 1909 that a new species of luminous firefly has been discovered in Singapore, highlighting the need for continued biodiversity research, even in small, well-studied and highly developed countries, such as Singapore.

Keywords: Hotaria; Luciola cruciata; Luciola owadai; Nee Soon Swamp Forest; taxonomy; phylogenetics; conservation

Map of Singapore showing the location of Luciola singapura Jusoh & Ballantyne sp. nov. in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest (NSSF) (inset). Numbered dots represent type localities of Luciola species in Asia and the Pacific islands that were examined and/or analysed in this study. 

Males of Luciola singapura sp. nov.
Habitus (A, B), head and pronotum (C); Tergite 8 after dissection (D). A. Holotype male, from recent collection preserved in ethanol, light organ (LO) located on ventrite 6 (V6) and ventrite 7 (V7), presence of fat body along apex of suture, arrowed; (B). Habitus of paratype male. Coloration of paratype male collected 30 years ago preserved as dry specimen, arrow indicated presence of fat body along suture, tergite 8 (T8) from dorsal view and pronotum (inset); (C). Top: Head and pronotum of paratype male, below: Mouthpart and some parts of antenna; (D). Dissection parts of holotype male: tergites 7‐8 indicated with aedeagus and aedeagal sheath.

Luciola singapura Jusoh and Ballantyne sp. nov. 

English name: Singapore firefly 

Malay name: Kunang‐kunang Singapura

Diagnosis: A small species (less than 5 mm long) with distinctive dorsal coloration of black head, orange to yellowish brown with dark markings on pronotum, and orange to yellowish brown elytra which have diffuse darker brown to black markings towards the apex, with paler basal markings restricted to basal area near suture and an accumulation of whitish fat body along apex of suture and round elytral apex. Metasternum with median dark marking.   

Etymology: The specific epithet, singapura, is the Malay name for the country Singapore, which is the type locality of the new species. 

Distribution: Known only from the type locality of NSSF, Central Catchment Nature Reserve in Singapore but may also occur in other parts of the island where habitat is suitable.

Conclusions:

The discovery of a new species of firefly from the last remaining freshwater swamp forest in Singapore—one of the most developed and urbanized countries in the world— highlights the importance of continued biodiversity research in the region. This study also underscores the utility of molecular approaches to resolve taxonomic problems and better understand the evolutionary history of fireflies.

 Wan F. A. Jusoh, Lesley Ballantyne, Su Hooi Chan, Tuan Wah Wong, Darren Yeo, B. Nada and Kin Onn Chan. 2021. Molecular Systematics of the Firefly Genus Luciola (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) with the Description of a New Species from Singapore. Animals. 11(3), 687. DOI: 10.3390/ani11030687   

Researchers from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, have discovered a new species of firefly from the last remaining freshwater swamp forest in Singapore. This is the first time since 1909 that a new species of luminous firefly has been discovered in Singapore—highlighting the need for continued biodiversity research, even in small, well-studied, and highly developed countries such as Singapore.

LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg/singapore-firefly

 twitter.com/WanFAJusoh/status/1367668664950878208

  twitter.com/LKCNHM/status/1368728173924413441

 

Simple Summary: Fireflies have a scattered distribution in Singapore but are not as uncommon as many would generally assume. A nationwide survey of fireflies in 2009 across Singapore documented 11 species, including “Luciola sp. 2”, which is particularly noteworthy because the specimens were collected from a freshwater swamp forest in the central catchment area of Singapore and did not fit the descriptions of any known Luciola species. Ten years later, we revisited the same locality to collect new specimens and genetic material of Luciola sp. 2. Subsequently, the mitochondrial genome of that population was sequenced and specimens were subjected to rigorous morphological examinations. We then collated published mitogenomes and shorter mitochondrial markers from closely related taxa to infer a phylogeny for the subfamily Luciolinae. Our results reveal that Luciola sp. 2 is both genetically and morphologically distinct from other congeners and is thus described herein as a new species Luciola singapura sp. nov. This marks the first time since 1909 that a new species of luminous firefly has been discovered in Singapore, highlighting the need for continued biodiversity research, even in small, well-studied and highly developed countries such as Singapore that can still harbor undescribed biodiversity.

[Entomology • 2017] Araucariocladus hiems • A New Tropical Montane Firefly Genus and Species (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), Active During Winter and Endemic to the southeastern Atlantic Rainforest

Araucariocladus hiems 

Da Silveira & Mermudes, 2017   
 
 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4221.2.4 

Abstract

Here we describe Araucariocladus hiems gen. et sp. nov. (Lampyridae: Amydetinae), a firefly species endemic to high montane forests, and occurring during June, a relatively cool and dry month in the Southeastern Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil. We tentatively place it in Psilocladina McDermott, and discuss the limitations of its classification. We also provide illustrations of key structural features of the new taxa and discuss its affinities.

Keywords: Coleoptera, Endemism, Psilocladina, Serra dos Órgãos, tropical winter

  

Luiz Felipe Lima Da Silveira and Jose Ricardo Miras Mermudes. 2017. A New Tropical Montane Firefly Genus and Species, Active During Winter and Endemic to the southeastern Atlantic Rainforest (Coleoptera: Lampyridae).
 Zootaxa.  4221(2); 205–214.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4221.2.4