On 3 December I received in the mail a shipment of Anurida granaria from my email friend, Graham East, in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was marked "Live Animals! Do Not irradiate! Do Not Xray!" It also contained a special "Permitted for Import" label and specified the port of entry as ATLANTA. I'd contacted customs officials earlier to learn what was necessary to make an import of Anurida granaria and informed Mr. East about this matter. Also enclosed in the shipment was copy of the report:
So I knew well what this long awaited package contained: Glow Buddies!
However it was early afternoon when the package arrived and I wanted to be sure the specimens were alive, and if so, that they exhibited bioluminescence. So I opened the package, found the specimen contents which were in a small plastic bag which contained a moist peat moss and activated charcoal mix. I opened the bag to permit the little Springtails inside to get their first breath of Alabama air. Then I sealed it up and set it inside a 1/2 pint jar. It would have to wait until darkness fell for examination.
The following letter is one I wrote to Mr. East after opening the tiny plastic bag later that same night.
After having seen Anurida granaria exhibit its bioluminescence on 3 Dec. 2001 at 10:45 PM CST, I must say that I am most impressed! The pure green color of their light and the brightness of their flash certainly bring to mind a chemical reaction similar to that I have observed in various fireflies. Plus the nature of the glow itself, flashing brightly when disturbed, is a most impressive display. I find it hard to believe that any expert of Collembola could not be aware that this species exhibited bioluminescent and was common in a wide or given geographical area. Of course if live specimens were not examined and collectors did not observe at night the specimens they collected, this could have easily gone unnoticed. Certainly anyone who saw a large number of these glowing brightly under a log or stone they over turned at night should have been sufficiently impressed to wonder what it was which made the light. I think you should be commended for your persistence to point your discovery out to the world and I would certainly think this species would get the attention of other experts, no matter what is the nature of its bioluminescence. I am also certain that this species would be ideal for demonstration of bioluminescence in insects. The fact that the light it flashes is so bright and pure, probably a narrow or specific wavelength, would indeed mean it may have applications as I have proposed in using photometric devices to measure the health of a soil in terrafarming or soil systems which set up artificial communities of organisms. This would be particularly true in cases where a human being may not be present to do the monitoring, as at a remote field station. Now what could be more remote than terrafarms upon the Moon, Mars or biospheres in space designed to provide artificial systems to support life? Even if this possibility seems remote at this point, it is certainly one which could be developed. I would hope that progressive minded space and life scientists would therefore take an interest in this species. Certainly these considerations should not be over looked as mere fantasy. They are a possibility for the future. In fact, what could be a better way to measure the health of a community of Collembola in a remote terrafarming project or station than detecting and counting the glow of Anurida granaria? You have to realize that I have observed and studied bioluminescent species for over 30 years and frankly I have never encountered anything exactly like the display exhibited by Anurida granaria. The bioluminescence of this species is unique, and although there may be other bioluminescence Collembola, this does not negate the significance of this fact; rather, it only makes it more significant. It certainly would be nice to be able to have a collection of each species of Collembola which exhibits bioluminescence to make comparative studies. Given these facts I am certain that Anurida granaria would be of great benefit to the academic community, both for demonstration, educational and research purposes. Hence I would recommend that schools and universities far and wide endeavor to establish and maintain permanent stock of this species. Why can you imagine the trill children and adults alike would have seeing their first Anurida granaria! I say this as one who has certainly seen my share of fireflies and other bioluminescent animals. But Anurida granaria is unique in its bioluminescent display and therefore has a special role to play in the enlightenment of humanity. Again I would like to commend you for bringing this species to my attention and sharing your discovery with the world. The bioluminescence of Anurida granaria and its potential should not continue to go unnoticed. Here we have what is probably an easily reared species of primitive insect which exhibits bioluminescence, is perfectly harmless and, moreover, is a beneficial insect. I would imagine anyone with the awareness of what this means would take a keen interest in Anurida granaria. I certainly do, and I'm sure if we can establish pure stock that is easy to maintain, others will follow suit.
Respectfully yours, P.S. You are welcome to share this letter with anyone and everyone, especially those esteemed scientist who have chosen the noble profession of research and make the study of Collembola their life pursuit. I have taken the liberty of sending copy to those several of your email associates, I hope you do not mind. |
Certainly more observations will follow. If Anurida granaria proves easy to rear and I am able to maintain live stock, I hope to continue my collaboration with Mr. East, and together learn more about these little glow buddies. There certainly are a number of mysterious questions surrounding their tiny lives. It will, indeed, be a challenge and an adventure to explore these new horizons of a creature which glows from down under.
TAL
5 DEC 2001
Click here to observe photographs taken by Lynch of A. granaria which Graham East first observed to be bioluminescent.