Body-size

Guides

• Liodessus

  Liodessus is a genus of small diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae, tribe Bidessini. Species occur across the Americas from North America through the Andes to southern South America, with notable diversity in high-altitude wetlands and páramo ecosystems. Many species inhabit shallow, exposed pools and temporary water bodies, showing phenotypic plasticity in body form correlated with habitat permanence. The genus contains numerous species, with several new species described from the high Andes of Peru and Colombia in recent years. Taxonomic resolution relies heavily on male genital morphology.

  diving-beetleaquatic-insecthigh-altitudepáramoAndesphenotypic-plasticityBidessiniHydroporinaeDytiscidaeColeopterawetlandtemporary-poolpeatlandsubantarctictaxonomymale-genitaliaCOI-barcodecryptic-speciesincipient-speciationhybridizationgeometric-morphometricsenvironmental-sentineldrought-indicatorSouth-AmericaNorth-AmericaFijiNavarino-IslandMagallanesPeruColombiaChileArgentinaBoliviaBogotáJunínCuscoHuánucoCundinamarcaSumapazPunasteppepeat-bogshallow-poolpuddlealtitude-3400-4900mL.-affinis-complexL.-bogotensis-complexL.-chilensisL.-affinisL.-obscurellusL.-noviaffinisL.-saratogaeL.-picinusL.-santarositaL.-alpinusL.-hauthiL.-rhigosL.-thespesiosGuignot-1939ZimmermannSharpLeConteSaySteinheilRégimbartBiströmMillerBalkeFranciscoloSanfilippoPederzaniNilssonYoungClarkHatchMannerheimCaseyAubéBalfour-BrowneBrinckPeschetSolierWhiteZootaxaZooKeysInsect-Systematics-&-EvolutionAnales-del-Instituto-de-la-PatagoniaPLoS-ONEGBIFiNaturalistCatalogue-of-LifeNCBI-TaxonomyBOLDBarcode-of-Life-Data-SystemCOImitochondrial-DNAphylogeographypopulation-structurerange-expansionlineagegenetic-structuresubspecieslectotypeneotypesynonymynew-speciesnew-subspeciesrevisionmorphometricsallometrybody-sizebody-shapeelytrapronotumstriaecolorationpunctationhabitusoccipital-linegenital-morphologyaedeagusparamerediagnosisidentification-keytype-localitytype-specimenetymologybionomicsnatural-historygeographic-distributiondistribution-mapNearcticNeotropicalPatagoniaCape-Horn-Biosphere-Reservedroughtclimate-changeenvironmental-changesentinel-speciesplasticityadaptationphenotypic-variationhydrological-landscapewater-permanencepoolbogAltiplanoAndeanhigh-elevationmontanealpineaquaticfreshwaterlenticloticinsectbeetleAdephagaLiodessus

• Photinus ignitus

  Ignited Firefly

  Photinus ignitus is a North American firefly species distinguished by its bioluminescent courtship displays. Males produce characteristic flash patterns to attract females, who respond from perches in vegetation. Research has documented seasonal plasticity in female mate choice behavior, with females becoming less selective as the breeding season progresses. Like other Photinus species, it produces defensive compounds called lucibufagins that protect against predators.

  fireflybioluminescencemate-choiceseasonal-plasticitynuptial-giftaggressive-mimicryLampyridaeColeopteraNorth-Americaflash-communicationlucibufaginsexual-selectionoperational-sex-ratiocold-lightphotocytesluciferinluciferasenocturnalcourtshippredation-defenseinsect-declinelight-pollutionhabitat-lossinsecticide-exposuresoil-dwelling-larvaeglowwormpredatory-larvaesoft-bodied-preysnailsslugswormssoil-insectsbiological-controlflash-patternfemale-choicemale-choicebody-sizelantern-sizereproductive-investmentegg-provisioningspermatophoreflash-signalmating-successselectivitybreeding-seasondusknightvegetationgrasslawnsforestsfieldsedgescanopyairspaceColumbia-MarylandWashington-Baltimore-areaUniversity-of-Virginia-studylight-pollution-impactmating-disruptionurbanizationresidual-insecticideslawn-treatmentweather-cyclesfood-availabilitylarval-predationpopulation-fluctuationbanner-yearspectacleJuly-4thIndependence-DayMother-Nature's-fireworkspyrotechnictwinklinggalaxycold-light-efficiencyno-heat-productionphotocyte-cellsspecialized-light-organterminal-abdominal-segmentslightly-coloredgiant-eyesflash-detectionvisual-acuitynocturnal-visionchemical-ecologydefensive-chemistrysteroidal-pyronestoad-toxinsspider-repellentbird-repellentfemme-fatalepredatory-exploitationchemical-acquisitiondefense-sequestrationnuptial-feedingreproductive-successsexual-conflictflash-manipulationphotographic-challengeflash-rechargefemale-contortionflash-directionalityaimed-signalmale-expendabilityfemale-investmentoffspring-productionbattery-lifeconservation-concernpopulation-monitoringcitizen-scienceBoston-Museum-of-Sciencefirefly-data-projectAllegheny-National-Forestsynchronous-firefliesPhotinus-carolinusPhoturis-pennsylvanicaPennsylvania-Firefly-FestivalFIRE-TeamLynn-FaustSara-LewisThomas-EisnerAerial-FirebaughKyle-Hayneschemical-ecology-pioneerexperimental-studyfield-observationnatural-historybehavioral-ecologyethologyjournal-articlepeer-reviewed-researchscientific-investigationinsect-conservationnocturnal-insectbeetlesoft-winged-beetlenot-true-bugnot-flyElateroideaPolyphagaElateriformiaLampyrinaeLucidotiniaccepted-nameFall-192736-observationsiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIWikipediaBug-of-the-WeekEntomology-Todayincomplete-informationdata-limitedresearch-opportunityfurther-study-needed