Evolution of a Firefly Flash Code
Abstract
The flash code of Photinus ignitus (male flashes once, female delays long and then flashes) appears to have evolved from a code like that of Photinus macdermotti (male flashes twice, female delays briefly and flashes) by the omission of the second flash of the male pattern and the "connection" of the historic between-flash interval of the male pattern and the female short delay, thus producing the female long delay. Signaling variations and situations necessary for, and that might have led to, such a change in the hypothetical ancestor occur in today's macdermotti.Downloads
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