Atyphella is a genus of 'flashing' firefly (family Lampyridae) found in the Australasian region, particularly in the eastern and northern regions of Australia. The genus consists of 23 recognized species, 14 considered to be endemic to Australia.Ballantyne & Lambkin, 2006
Description The larval stage of Atyphella is morphologically similar to the Luciola larval stage, the key difference being that the Atyphella possess a series of flat projections on the sides of the body (known as explanate tergites).Ballantyne, 1987
Atyphella antennae are relatively short, shorter than the widest part of the head. This is almost unique among the genera of the subfamily Luciolinae with Bourgeoisia being the only other to feature this.
The adult Atyphella head is concealed under an extended pronotum and recessed into the prothoracic cavity.Ballantyne, 2008 This effectively eliminates upwards vision when in flight and in a resting state. However, it has been observed that some species can extend the head beyond the pronotum in active searching when on the ground.
Other notable morphological features of the genus Atyphella include a head longer than it is wide and ventrally subcontiguous eyes.
Most Atyphella females are flightless and possess reduced elytra.
Taxonomy The taxonomic ranking of the Atyphella has been somewhat disputed. It was originally described in 1889 as a separate genus under Lampyridae. This was changed in 1964 when it was grouped under the genus Luciola as a subgenus (along with Pygoluciola).McDermott, 1964 In 2000 it was again distinguished as a separate genus. This is the current accepted taxonomy, sitting as a sister group to Pygoluciola.
Species list Twenty-three species are currently recognised:Ballantyne & Lambkin, 2009
Atyphella aphrogeneia (Ballantyne, 1979) Atyphella atra Lea, 1921 Atyphella brevis Lea, 1909 Atyphella conspicua Ballantyne, 2000 Atyphella dalmatia Ballantyne & Lambkin, 2009 Atyphella ellioti Ballantyne, 2000 Atyphella flammans Olliff, 1890 Atyphella flammulans Ballantyne, 2000 Atyphella guerini (Ballantyne, 2000) Atyphella immaculata Ballantyne, 2000 Atyphella inconspicua (Lea, 1921) Atyphella kirakira Ballantyne & Lambkin, 2009 Atyphella lamingtonia Ballantyne & Lambkin, 2009 Atyphella leucura (Olivier, 1906) Atyphella lewisi Ballantyne, 2000 Atyphella lychnus Olliff, 1890 Atyphella monteithi Ballantyne, 2000 Atyphella olivieri Lea, 1915 Atyphella palauensis Wittmer, 1958 Atyphella scabra Olivier, 1911 Atyphella scintillans Olliff, 1890 Atyphella similis Ballantyne, 2000 Atyphella testaceolineata Pic, 1939
Footnotes
References
(1987): Lucioline morphology, taxonomy and behaviour: A reappraisal (Coleoptera, Llampyridae). Transactions of the American Entomological Society 113(2): 171–188. Fulltext (2008): Pygoluciola satoi, a new species of the rare southeast Asian firefly genus Pygoluciola Wittmer (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) from the Philippines. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 56(1): 1–9. PDF fulltext (2006): A phylogenetic reassessment of the rare S.E. Asian firefly genus Pygoluciola Wittmer (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 54(1): 21-48 PDF fulltext (2009): Systematics of Indo-Pacific fireflies with a redefinition of Australasian Atyphella Olliff, Madagascan Photuroluciola Pic, and description of seven new genera from the Luciolinae (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Zootaxa 1997: 1–188 PDF abstract (1964): The Taxonomy of the Lampyridae (Coleoptera). Transactions of the American Entomological Society 90(1): 1-72 Fulltext
External links Australian distribution of Atyphella Springbrook firefly research