Sclerotia | |
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Sclerotia fui , male, in dorsal view | |
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Same specimen in ventral view | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Family: | Lampyridae |
Subfamily: | Luciolinae |
Genus: | Sclerotia Ballantyne, 2016 [1] |
Type species | |
Luciola aquatilis Thancharoen, 2007 | |
Species | |
See text |
Sclerotia is a genus of fireflies in the subfamily Luciolinae. It contains seven species that occur in Southeast Asia. The larvae of at least three of these species are aquatic and swim on their backs.
The genus Sclerotia was erected in 2016 by Lesley A. Ballantyne. Seven species were assigned to the new genus, six of which have previously been classified within the genus Luciola . The seventh species, Sclerotia fui , was newly described by Ballantyne in the same contribution. Molecular evidence of three Sclerotia species indicates that they form a natural group that is distinct from other genera. The type species is Luciola aquatilis, which was described in 2007. [1]
The seven species include: [1] [2]
The name Sclerotia is a Latinised form of the English word "sclerite" and points to the three sclerites that can be found around the aedeagal sheath of the male reproductive organ. [1]
The identification of Luciolinae species in southeast Asia can be difficult due to similar colour patterns, with most species showing brownish or yellowish upper sides. Although Sclerotia species are no exception, they are united by distinctive internal features such as the eponymous three sclerites that surround the aedeagal sheath in the reproductive organ of the males, a unique feature within the subfamily. These sclerites are attachement sites for muscles, but their exact function in reproduction is unclear, and the mating process has not yet been observed. Sclerotia is furthermore characterised by parallel and longitudinal rows of punctures over most of the elytra (forewings). The light organ is either U or heart-shaped. [1]
The larvae are known of three Sclerotia species; these are aquatic and swim on their backs just below the water surface. In in the related genus Abscondita , in contrast, the larvae are probably terrestrial. The first and second instars might use bristles that extend sidewards as gills, while later instars lack gills. Defensive glands seem to be absent in the larvae. [1]
Luciola is a genus of flashing fireflies in the family Lampyridae. They are especially well known from Japan and are often called Japanese fireflies, but their members range farther into Asia and reach southern Europe and Africa. This genus is traditionally held to extend to Australia, but these species do not seem to belong herein.
The Luciolinae are among the largest subfamilies of fireflies (Lampyridae). They seem to be all "flashing" fireflies. They are a diverse lineage, spreading throughout the warm parts of Eurasia into temperate Europe and East Asia and south to the Australian region.
Atyphella is a genus of 'flashing' firefly found in the Australasian region, particularly in the eastern and northern regions of Australia. The genus consists of 23 recognized species, 14 considered to be endemic to Australia.
Inflata is a genus of 'flashing' firefly found in Thailand, containing a single recognized species, Inflata indica.
Nipponoluciola cruciata, known as "genji-botaru" (ゲンジボタル) in Japanese, is a species of firefly found in Japan. Its habitat is small ditches and streams, and its larvae are aquatic. It was formerly known as Luciola cruciata but was revised taxonomically in 2022.
Aquatica ficta is a species of firefly found in Taiwan and parts of China. It was formerly placed in the genus Luciola. Its habitat is still water, and the larvae are aquatic.
Aquatica is a genus of fireflies in the subfamily Luciolinae. The species are found in China, Taiwan, Japan, Russia and Korea. Fu, Ballantyne and Lambkin erected the genus in 2010, using phylogenetic, morphological and behavioural evidence. Its type species is Aquatica wuhana. It contains five species:
Aquatica hydrophila is a species of firefly found in Taiwan. Described in 2003, it was formerly placed in the genus Luciola. The larvae are aquatic and live in ditches and small streams.
Aquatica lateralis, known as "heike-botaru" (ヘイケボタル) in Japanese, is a species of firefly found in Russia, Japan and Korea. It was formerly placed in the genus Luciola. The larvae are aquatic and live in rice paddies.
Luciola substriata is a species of firefly found in India, Myanmar, China and Taiwan. The larvae are aquatic and can swim, living in marshes, paddies, lakes and ponds.
Abscondita chinensis, is a species of firefly beetle found in India, China and Sri Lanka.
Abscondita promelaena is a species of firefly beetle found in India and Sri Lanka.
Asymmetricata humeralis is a species of firefly found in India and Sri Lanka.
Luciola candezei, is a species of firefly beetle found in Sri Lanka.
Luciola intricata, is a species of firefly beetle found in Sri Lanka.
Luciola antennalis, is a species of firefly beetle found in Sri Lanka.
Pteroptyx is a genus of fireflies in the subfamily Luciolinae found in Southeast Asia. It has long been noted for the ability to perform synchronous flashing, though not all species synchronize. These synchronizing species have been found on so-called 'firefly trees' and created a growing firefly-watching tour industry in some regions. Species of the genus have been identified in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.
Abscondita is a genus of fireflies in tropical Asia. Species in the genus were earlier placed in the genus Luciola but molecular phylogeny studies support their separation.
Asymmetricata is a genus of fireflies found in tropical Asia. Species in the genus were formerly included in the genus Luciola. The genus was created in 2009 by Lesley Ballantyne who noted the asymmetric 8th abdominal tergite, emarginated on its left, as a shared feature. Adults of both males and females are winged. The larvae have been reliably described only in A. circumdata. They are terrestrial carnivores, feeding on snails and earthworms in moist soil below tree cover. The last abdominal segment bears an anchoring structure or pygopod with 58 or more pygopodia arising from it.
Sclerotia fui is a species of firefly found in China. First described in 2016, it is one of seven species in the genus Sclerotia within the Luciolinae subfamily. The adult is less than a centimeter in length with pale-brown forewings, orange pronotum, and dark-brown head. The larva is aquatic and swims on its back directly under the water surface. The species is named after the Chinese entomologist Xin Hua Fu.