Editing 2802: Fireflies

==Explanation==

==Explanation==

{{w|Fireflies}} are varieties of beetles that emit flashes of light, a process known as {{w|bioluminescence}}. Megan explains that while this ability is not uncommon in ocean-dwelling species, it's pretty rare on land. Presumably, this is because sunlight doesn't penetrate very far under water, so there's evolutionary pressure there to develop a process to generate one's own light. Land animals, on the other hand, have much less need to generate their own light -- even at night there's light from the moon and stars, so nocturnal animals tend to have good eyesight or other enhanced sensory abilities ({{w|echolocation}}, {{w|olfaction}}, etc). It's thought that bioluminescence in fireflies originally served {{w|aposematism|aposematically}} to ward off predators from larvae, but that it was co-opted as an adult mating signal. There are many varieties of {{w|List of bioluminescent fungus species|bioluminescent fungus species}}, and the ecological benefit of that effect is uncertain. Some ocean-dwelling species, such as {{w|anglerfish}}, use their bioluminescence as lures for prey, whilst other creatures {{w|Counter-illumination|use it as camouflage}}. Yet others may employ such light as warning and/or as mating signals to deliberately reveal (not conceal) their presence. Often creatures with sufficient control of their phosphorescence can even fulfil multiple purposes according to need. These functions are similar to how organisms in more well-lit environments might normally rely upon surface hues (of skin, fur, feathers, scales, etc.) that work more ({{w|Chromatophore|or less}}) passively under external illumination. Megan also mentions fatty acid enzymes, presumably a reference to {{w|luciferase}}, a class of enzymes used by fireflies and many other bioluminescent organisms.

{{w|Fireflies}} are varieties of beetles that emit flashes of light, a process known as {{w|bioluminescence}}. Megan explains that while this ability is not uncommon in ocean-dwelling species, it's pretty rare on land. Presumably, this is because sunlight doesn't penetrate very far under water, so there's evolutionary pressure there to develop a process to generate one's own light. Land animals, on the other hand, have much less need to generate their own light -- even at night there's light from the moon and stars, so nocturnal animals tend to have good eyesight or other enhanced sensory abilities ({{w|echolocation}}, {{w|olfaction}}, etc). It's thought that bioluminescence in fireflies originally served {{w|aposematism|aposematically}} to ward off predators from larvae, but that it was co-opted as an adult mating signal. There are many varieties of {{w|List of bioluminescent fungus species|bioluminescent fungus species}}, and the ecological benefit of that effect is uncertain. Some ocean-dwelling species, such as {{w|anglerfish}}, use their bioluminescence as lures for prey, whilst other creatures {{w|Counter-illumination|use it as camouflage}}. Yet others may employ such light as warning and/or as mating signals to deliberately reveal (not conceal) their presence. Often creatures with sufficient control of their phosphorescence can even fulfil multiple purposes according to need. These functions are similar to how organisms in more well-lit environments might normally rely upon surface hues (of skin, fur, feathers, scales, etc.) that work more ({{w|Chromatophore|or less}}) passively under external illumination. Megan also mentions fatty acid enzymes, presumably a reference to {{w|luciferase}}, a class of enzymes used by fireflies and many other bioluminescent organisms.