Bioluminescent Springtails light up Christchurch, New Zealand
Presenting Anurida granaria
A Bioluminescent Springtail
This page is an example of real time research and a collaborative effort that is being made among colleagues. Results are not conclusive. The photographs presented upon this page are posted so that others anxious to see these pictures may enjoy their presentation. It is anticipated that in the process of their presentation mistakes may be made or the wrong conclusions drawn. Actually that happens everyday in the process of any investigation; it is an honest part of the research process. Even in formal publications there are often found revisions which must be made after publication.
The Internet permits rapid posting of results and rapid revision so it is being used in a real time context to enable an on going discovery process. You will probably see more of this type of research and publication in the future as scientists realize it is a way they can share discovery at the same time they are being made, not only with colleagues, but with students and children around the world who may be interested in the process of learning about our natural world.
In fact the entire GEO site would not have been possible unless this approach had been employed for it involves a number of people who live in different countries including New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Belgium, the United States of America and other nations. Some of these people may not want their names mentioned for fear their reputations could be tarnished by this type of real time research and reporting. That certainly is their prerogative and it is understandable why this is the case. The existing and traditional method of formal scientific publication, though it is intended to allow for careful peer review and present the result of well formulated research, does not shine the camera upon the real, day-to-day discovery process, one that is full of ambiguity, error, learning by doing, mistakes that are made and correct and a whole range of inconclusive, in process activities.
Certainly Anurida granaria and its report of bioluminescence may find its way into those very same scientific journals. But Project GEO is more than just a dull, static report of methodology and finding. Project GEO is an on-going, real time adventure, which will change, update, grow and expand. This is NOT a static or complete project; rather, it is a reflection of an evolving truth as we grope through the darkness and the unknown, these tiny lamps of living light pushing us on, guiding our war, to one day see the future more clearly.
Please enjoy this presentation of Anurida granaria knowing that what we think and wonder today may bring us to different thoughts and conclusions tomorrow. There are really few truths which are static, except those delusions which humanity accepts for itself to be the word of God. Since I don't profess to be all knowing or even a expert with respect to a species I have only recently set my eyes upon for the first time in my life, it is only honest to make this presentation as one which is as alive, growing and hopefully as glowing as the species it presents.
TAL
8 Dec. 2001
Figure AG1. Anurida granaria collected by Graham East and sent to the United States of America arrived expired stuck to the inside of test tube. This photograph was photo enhanced to exhibit the pure green light typical of that emitted by this species. Initial intent was to photography and post live specimens but all initial specimens received were expired either due to improper handling during transport or irradiation by US customs to kill possible micro organisms, especially anthrax which had been being sent through the mail prior to the receipt of this specimen. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG2. What is the nature of the light producing or photogenic cells in Anurida granaria? At PC there appears a bisemetrically arranged pair of dense cells with dark pegmentation which are even readily visible in this dehydrated specimen which was photographed through the wall of a test tube at 50X. Variation in focal length clearly showed this pair of darkly pigmented cell masses which are placed where one might expect light producing or photogenic cells to occur. Photo was enhance to accent this cell mass. At PR is another mass of cells which may serve as photo receptors. There is a pair of these PR cell masses on each side of the head. Should these be light sensory cells and A. granaria be able to detect the exact same wavelength of light it emits, this may be a strong implication that this bioluminescent Springtail uses its light to aid in aggregation or other behavior which requires both the ability to produce light and sense light of the same wavelength. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG3. Anurida granaria posterior ventral view photo enhanced 200X. Curiously a posterior ventrical view 200X shows a bisymmetrical structure L1 and L2 where one might expect to observe a lantern. (This is what was seen at lower magnification in Fig. AG2 and labled PC. However no constant glow of Anurida granaria has been observed. Specimens glow only when disturbed and the slightest vibrations will cause alarm sufficent to stimulate a glow response. For example, speciments glow momentarily when a Petri dish containing specimens is opened after a long period of rest; specimens glow when a gentle breath of air is passed over them; or, specimens glow very brightly when actually touched, brushed or mashed while handling in a darkened room. This sensitivity of Anurida granaria to vibrations and their tendency to glow at the slightest touch is a behavior which provides a challenge to the observer wishing to view Anurida granaria glow under a microscope. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG4 Anurida granaria rest motionless in an observation cell made using a slice of Idaho potato, floating as if in space against a planetary orb being eclipsed. When the large white, cream colored A. granaria was transferred in water using a medicine eye dropper, it was found that two A. granaria were in fact lifted from the substrate. Apparently a smaller, clear specimen had been attached to the underside of the larger white pigmented specimen. This may explained Graham East's observation of two different types of individuals, those which are pigmented and those which are translucent and not pigmented, the later being males. If males generally travel attached to the underside of females, the males may not have developed pigmentation. Seen here at 20X the larger female stands frozen. Handling may cause specimens to freeze up and become motionless or catatonic for long periods of time, perhaps a defensive reaction which, with their bioluminescence, may have survival benefit. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG5. Anurida granaria measuring 1.69 mm in length (from A to B) and 0.60 mm at widest point (from C to D). This specimen was collected by Graham East and confirmed to exhibit bioluminescence. Then it was sent to Lynch who observed and photographed it. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG6. Anurida granaria under dark field illumination appears to float in space. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG7. Anurida granaria 100X photo enhances anterior ventral view. Protruding from the matrix of its geodesic cuticular structure is a large muscular mouth part. Antennae in background appear somewhat retracted as specimen expired while being maintained for observation inside a concave slide chamber which was illuminated resulting in desiccation. Specimen was cleaned in mineral spirits and mounted in glycerin for observation and photographing. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG8. Placed upon a clean slide and viewed at 20X using reflected light Anurida granaria appears bright ivory or cream white due to the thick coat of wax which covers its body. The thick wax cover upon females may help provide insolation to protect developing eggs and certainly aid in survival and distribution in times of rain or flooding of habitat. Also a thick layer of wax could serve to reflect light when Anurida granaria glows as to give the appearance of a larger light source or organism. There may also be advantaged offered by the wax, as in making Anurida granaria slipperyy and more difficult to catch by predatory mites or other small animals. This specimen is being viewed in an observation chamber made using a 1.9 cm. rubber "O" ring set upon a microscope slide over which is placed a cover slip. It is anticipated that these small "O" ring chambers will enable observation of a variety of behaviors including feeding, mating and bioluminescence. To enable survival one or two yeast grains are placed inside the "O" ring chamber, a droplet of water is used to seal the "O" ring to the slide and this is set in a covered bowl with moist tissue to provide humid environment (inset). Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG9. Under darkfield illumination Anurida granaria is lighted at an angle with a narrow beam of light to simulate its bioluminescence. Notice how its white waxy covered body seems to diffuse the light. This specimen was observed alive positioned upon a narrow film of water along the inner rim of an "O" ring washer sealed to a microscope slide with water. In the absolute darkness which exist beneath logs, stones, bricks and other ground cover, it may be advantageous for Anurida granaria to glow, enabling males and females to locate and/or identify each other, to copulate, remain in contact and/or to form aggregations. Graham East has reported seeing large numbers of Anurida granaria glowing when he has turned over and disturbed their hiding places. Yet at this time it is not certain if both sexes glow or if only females glow. Other observations and photographs not yet posted suggest males may be smaller than females and not glow. But this is only a preliminary observation which must be confirmed in the future. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG10. Expired Anurida granaria at 50X passes light to varying degree due to wax coating and dense internal organs. Most interesting is the shape of the posterior most abdominal segment which is much reduced in size. Is it possible there may be a pair of light producing cellular masses in this posterior most segment? Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG11. Expired Anurida granaria at 50X seems to glow even in death, yet this is a photo enchancement of a specimen suspended in glycerin. This image may give some idea what Aunrida granaria looks like when it glows. Very likely its creamy white body will diffuse light and the thick white layer of wax covering its surface may act to reflect light. This specimen, however, has been much handled and lost some of its waxy cover. The bioluminescence of Anurida granaria has not yet been observed or photographed under the microscope and remains a future challenge. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG12. On 19 Dec. 2001 some 30 Anurida granaria were received from Graham East, making the trip from New Zealand to the United States in some 14 days. They were sealed in a test tube which had been coated upon the inside with plaster of Paris-charcoal mix. This moist environment kept the AG alive despite a delay which was probably caused by an anthrax hoax. During this period the newspaper reported that a local post office was being searched by the FBI and someone was arrested for sending Epson salt to a Federal Court House. All packages were checked and sealed in plastic after inspection and before delievery which is why this shipment arrived so sealed in a plastic bag. The fact the specimens survived the long trip and delay, and even the prying eyes of the FBI, is a credit to being prepared, packed and labeled well by Graham East using a method Dr. D. A. Crossley in Athens, Georgia uses to ship Collembola and mites.
These specimens were observed to glow in total darkness before transfer to a rearing jar. The Anurida granaria produced a rich green glow upon tapping the test tube, this glow rapidly fading and lasting no more that a second. At least four individuals were observed to glow before being transferred. The specimen seen here was photographed alive at 20X inside a "O"-ring observation chamber against a background of moistened filter paper. This individual was active, walking about, exploring, and probably drinking and/or feeding upon yeast which was provided inside the tiny observation chamber. Various lighting was experimented with to enable later observation of its glow under the microscope. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG13. Anurida granaria transition from rest position to alert position with increase in light intensity. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
The specimen seen here had been in the rest position "A" while taking a series of photographs to show the liquid beads which had formed upon its body. In fact this specimen had been placed in a humid chamber inside an O-ring washer cell where it had been resting since the previous night's observation.
After taking a series of 36 pictures with the specimen at rest and viewed only with a 4 watt incandescent lamp and small Mag flash light, I decided to do a second series of photographs at brighter light so changed to a 40 watt incandescent blub. Within a minute the specimen began to arouse from its rest "B" by extending its antennae. It then became active walking about, as seen in "C," perhaps trying to find shelter from the bright light and any heat the light may have been generating.
The light source was approximately 24 mm from the specimen and this sequence was shot between 01:22 to 01:23 hours CST on 21 Dec., 2001, and the specimen is being maintained under a 12/12 light/dark period using a 40 watt fluorescent light source.
After turning off the light the specimen continued to remain actively walking about and was later observed sheltered against the O-ring washer. This observation suggest that light and heat both may play a role in triggering the change from rest to alert state and that specimens may be made to become active during the middle of their sleep period by illuminating them with a bright light. It may also suggest that using incandescent illumination in rearing chambers, instead of just fluorescent lighting, may help to trigger a proper circadian rhythm response, as incandescent lamps produce more heat than fluorescent lamps. So rearing chambers used for AG may best incorporate both types of lighting.
The fact Anurida granaria may use both light and heat generated by light to control its activity could help explain how its biological clock is set when under thick ground cover like stones and bricks where obviously there is no exposure to direct sunlight. Perhaps this species is extremely sensitive to changes in temperature caused by sunlight falling on ground cover, such that changes in temperature or humidity caused by sunlight, rather than light itself, is what is being used to trigger activity. Also it may be that this species, being able to detect very minute vibrations, can sense the activity of other small animals which become active at night or day. Certainly it would be an interesting area of study to see exactly what role light and/or heat generated by light sources, may play in the circadian rhythm of this species.
Figure AG14. Five Anurida granaria are shown here aggregating. These specimens were placed inside a concave slide covered with glass and observed after several hours in a darkened room. They are shown here gently back lit with cold light piped in from a AA size MagLite flash light using a fiber optics cable. Anurida granaria does not use its light to aggregate but rather only glows when alarmed, as when air is gently blown over specimens or when specimens are disturbed by vibrations. Apparently tactile stimuli is used by Anurida granaria in aggregation and when confined in a small area they remain together in an aggregate once they come in contact with each other. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG15. Posterior most end of Anurida granaria 100X photo enhanced. Angular illumination of the posterior most end of Anurida granaria highlights the geodesic nature, GEO, of the cuticular layer in Springtails which consists of numerous protrusions which, like a corrugate matrix, give strength to the surface and prevent wetting of the cuticle by water or other fluids. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG16. Anurida granaria mounted in glycerin 80X. After this specimen expired while being observed in a concave slide it was cleaned with mineral sprites and mounted in glycerin for this photograph at 80X taken with a Bristoline microscope. At the posterior end there appear a set of cells in bisymmetrical arrangement which is labeled L1 and L2. Could these be photogenic cells? Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Figure AG17. Anurida granaria lateral view 100X. Anurida granaria shows two large masses of cells at Em which look very much like embryos. V is ventral surface and D is dorsal surface of this large specimen which may have expired shortly after eating a commercial meal containing fungi and perhaps harmful chemical additives, indeed an untimely and disappointing death, should the black mass occupying much of the specimens body be due to developing eggs. Finding an ideal artificial food for Anurida granaria presents a challenge for researchers given this species does not seem to respond well when fed only a diet of baker's dried yeast. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch.
Additional Photos Coming Soon!
If you are anxiously awaiting the arrival of more photographs of Anurida granaria, please be patient. Think of this as if your wife or lover were expecting a baby; it will come when it is ready. Additional photos will be presented over time as specimens arrive, are reared, prepared and photographed. Your patience is appreciated. Thank you!
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