Advisor(s)
Dr. Krynak
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
McIntosh Activities Room
Start Date
19-4-2024 10:00 AM
End Date
19-4-2024 10:50 AM
Abstract
In the cloud forest of Mindo, Ecuador I examined a variety of terrestrial macroinvertebrates to determine if they glowed under UV light. This phenomenon of glowing is called biofluorescence and bioluminescence. Biofluorescence is where the species does not produce its own light while bioluminescence is the result of a chemical reaction allowing the organism to produce its own light. I hypothesized that predatory invertebrates are more likely to glow in comparison to prey invertebrates as this may act as camouflage used to stalk prey. Alternatively, the glowing could be used as a form of communication between predators. This study was conducted over a five night period. Each night I walked a transect shining a blacklight on different species within approximately 1m of the trail. Any invertebrate organism that glowed were then recorded and on a scale of 1-5, the extent of glowing was recorded. A scale rating of 1 was less than 19% glowing while a 5 was 80-100% glowing. Finally, the organism was photographed. Results indicated more prey invertebrates were found to glow than predator invertebrates. In total there were 91 prey invertebrates glowing and only 18 predatory species. Overall Lepidoptera has the highest richness of glowing species. Prey species having more species glowing could be due to sexual signaling, camouflage from predators, or simply a coloration feature without adaptive significance. Further research is needed to examine the role glowing may have in predator-prey relationships of the Ecuadorian cloud forest.
Recommended Citation
Schmunk, Asia Maree, "Glowing Insects: Examining Predator and Prey Invertebrates Located in the Cloud Forest of Mindo, Ecuador" (2024). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 29.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2024/Posters/29
Level of Access
Restricted to ONU Community
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Glowing Insects: Examining Predator and Prey Invertebrates Located in the Cloud Forest of Mindo, Ecuador
McIntosh Activities Room
In the cloud forest of Mindo, Ecuador I examined a variety of terrestrial macroinvertebrates to determine if they glowed under UV light. This phenomenon of glowing is called biofluorescence and bioluminescence. Biofluorescence is where the species does not produce its own light while bioluminescence is the result of a chemical reaction allowing the organism to produce its own light. I hypothesized that predatory invertebrates are more likely to glow in comparison to prey invertebrates as this may act as camouflage used to stalk prey. Alternatively, the glowing could be used as a form of communication between predators. This study was conducted over a five night period. Each night I walked a transect shining a blacklight on different species within approximately 1m of the trail. Any invertebrate organism that glowed were then recorded and on a scale of 1-5, the extent of glowing was recorded. A scale rating of 1 was less than 19% glowing while a 5 was 80-100% glowing. Finally, the organism was photographed. Results indicated more prey invertebrates were found to glow than predator invertebrates. In total there were 91 prey invertebrates glowing and only 18 predatory species. Overall Lepidoptera has the highest richness of glowing species. Prey species having more species glowing could be due to sexual signaling, camouflage from predators, or simply a coloration feature without adaptive significance. Further research is needed to examine the role glowing may have in predator-prey relationships of the Ecuadorian cloud forest.