Meeting Abstract

P2-89   -   Investigating the role of pigmentation in firefly bioluminescence color Popecki, MS*; Wares, JP; Stanger-Hall, KF; University of Georgia; University of Georgia; University of Georgia Margot.Popecki@uga.edu

Many fireflies use bioluminescent signals in courtship displays. Fireflies emit flashes or glows from their light organ, which ranges from green to orange in color. Signal color is determined by the amino acid sequence of Luciferase, the enzyme that catalyzes bioluminescence. For optimal detection, fireflies have evolved a match between signal color and visual sensitivity. Recent work found unexpected variation in signal color between populations of the same species, which was not explained by coding changes to Luciferase. It is possible that pigments in the light organ and screen bioluminescent light, tuning signal color to the visual sensitivity of their mates. To determine if pigments are present in the light organ, we will compare the gene expression of Photinus pyralis with signal color extremes. If pigments contribute to the variation in signal color within species, we expect that genes involved in pigment synthesis will be differentially expressed between signaling states and color.