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Artificial lighting impairs mate attraction in a nocturnal capital breeder

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 07:29 authored by Alan StewartAlan Stewart, Craig D Perl, Jeremy NivenJeremy Niven
Artificial lighting at night (ALAN) is increasingly recognised as having negative effects on many organisms, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Glow worms are likely susceptible to ALAN because females use bioluminescence to signal to attract males. We quantified the impact of ALAN by comparing the efficacy of traps that mimicked females to attract males in the presence or absence of a white artificial light source (ALS). Illuminated traps attracted fewer males than did traps in the dark. Illuminated traps closer to the ALS attracted fewer males than those further away, whereas traps in the dark attracted similar numbers of males up to 40m from the ALS. Thus, ALAN impedes females’ ability to attract males, the effect increasing with light intensity. Consequently, ALAN potentially affects glow worms’ fecundity and long-term population survival. More broadly, this study emphasises the potentially severe deleterious effects of ALAN upon nocturnal insect populations.

Funding

See and be seen: Understanding trade-offs in bioluminescent signalling and how it is affected by artificial lighting at night; G2766; BBSRC-BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL; BB/S018093/1

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Journal of Experimental Biology

ISSN

0022-0949

Publisher

Company of Biologists

Issue

19

Volume

223

Page range

1-5

Department affiliated with

  • Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2020-07-10

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2021-07-15

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2020-07-09

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