Natural history and ecological niche modelling of coastal Atyphella Olliff Larvae (Lampyridae: Luciolinae) in Vanuatu

ABSTRACT

The genus Atyphella Olliff includes several coastal species with larvae that were collected on coastal rock within the intertidal zone. Recent fieldwork in Vanuatu has expanded the distribution of these insects and begun to provide insight into how they are able to survive in such a unique environment. An ecological niche model is produced using Maxent to predict additional locations of coastal Atyphella in the South Pacific. Larval instars for the two species of Atyphella in Vanuatu are estimated using protergum shield width measurements. Additionally, submersion tests were performed on larvae to determine survivability in saltwater and freshwater environments. These data provide evidence for previously unknown aspects of their natural history that strongly suggest the species are multivoltine and spend a large portion of their larval stage in the intertidal zone.

KEYWORDS:

• Instars
• predictive modelling
• life stages
• range

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank local landowners and guides in Vanuatu for their assistance with necessary fieldwork. Special thanks to Dr. Donna Kalfatakmoli for the necessary permits to complete this research. Funding was provided by NSF, BYU Roger and Victoria Sant Educational Endowment for a Sustainable Environment, NSF Research Experience for Undergrads (1265714) (1655981), the BYU Kennedy Center for International Studies, and the Explorer’s Club Youth Activity Grant.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Explorers Club; National Science Foundation [1265714,1655981]; Roger and Victoria Sant Educational Endowment for a Sustainable Environment.