Bioluminescent Springtails light up Christchurch, New Zealand
Revealing the magnificant geodesic structure of an Collembola

Introduction

This site is prepared and presented by Terry Lynch, a naturalist who lives in the United States of America, and is based upon specimens collected and information provided by Graham East, who lives in Christchurch, New Zealand. What is presented is more than just the description of a species, but a journey or Odyssey into the cryptosphere, that world just beneath our feet where lives many little known creatures, some of which are bioluminescent. This is an adventure and hardship that leads to discovery and wonder. Hence this site has been christened Graham East's Odyssey or GEO. Information, photographs and description will be updated as it is received so if you enjoy this page check back again soon.

General Information

What is a GEO? For everything you always wanted to know about a GEO visit out FAQ page.

Figure 1. A variety of bioluminescent Springtail or Collembola occurring in Christchurch, New Zealand, inspired the creation of this site and the photographs herein. This tiny Springtail measures only 1.7 mm and was discovered by Graham East of Christchurch, New Zealand. According to Mr. East these "Glow Buddies" as he often refers to them, produce a soft greenish-yellow bioluminescence similar to the light emitted by fireflies or some species of bioluminescent bacteria. In his initial email, Mr. East writes, "Have found out that blind onychiuridae glow, and I think it is happening all the time in their tiny little lives." (Later it was found that the species in question belonged to another subfamily of Collembola and were not onychiuridae). With further inquiry Mr. East explained that when observed in vivo this species is normally found to be glowing; then when disturbed, as by rolling over a log, their lights are turned off. The specimen shown here was shipped from New Zealand to the United States. According to Graham East, "I found a small slab of concrete, 6"x6"x1.5" and beneath was a colony in the making; not sure how many, perhaps 25. I did a hasty check for centipedes & mites, but saw none. Hope there aren't any on board, or they'll consume our friends. They seem 2 have a passion 4 rotting/rotted gum tree leaves." Although they expired in transit the specimen was still able to be photographed under dark field illumination and photo enhanced to glow anew in all its alleged splendor. Photo by Terry Lynch.

If you want to see more Collembola pictures please visit The GEO Gallery which contains pictures from the first mixed samples collected by Graham East. From this mix was isolated the species responsible for the bioluminescence. See Presenting Anurida granaria to view the most resent pictures of this species.

Bioluminescent Collembola are a very interesting species which inhabits the South Island of New Zealand in and around Christchurch. This species first came to the attention of the author via email from Graham East who was seeking help to describe and identify the specimens which had been discovered by him on night time outings. Specimens were collected in August 2001 by Graham East under bricks and other object where they occur in decaying vegetation of cool soil (7° C) and sent for consideration.

According to a prominent member of the scientific community, who knows a thing or two about Collembola, this may not be a new species. However, at this time the species responsible for the bioluminescence Grahan East observed has not been positively identified.

It was later found that specimens being collected by Graham East included at least five species and it was not Onychiuridae, but Anurida sp. which was producing the bioluminescence. The sorting out of this matter proved an interesting treasure hunt, and is a tale woth the telling. Below is shown the first recording of bioluminescence in Anurida sp.

First recording of Anurida sp. glowing. This film strip shows the first known recording of bioluminescence in Anurida sp. A number of specimens were placed upon a stripe of 35 mm 1600 ASA color print film and permitted to expose the film with their flash alarm response. The resulting negative was developed using normal C41 processing, then scanned and photo enhanced to dramatically capture and illustrate bioluminescence of this species. This was a collaborativee effort between Terry Lynch who suggested the technique of how to detect and record bioluminescence photographically and who made the photo enhancements and Graham East who built the contact print chamber he used to take this photograph. Photo (c) 2002 by Graham East enhanced by T. Lynch.

In this photo enhancement of Anurida sp. glowing one is given the impression of a surrealistic light sculpture. Actually the image is one produced by specimens moving and flashing in alarm as they are disturbed causing their flash to be recorded as a blur upon the film which they cling to as they glow. Photo (c) 2002 by Graham East enhanced by T. Lynch

This site is produced as a photographic presentation of the study of this species of bioluminescent Collembola that it may be better recognized and others may take an interest and freely contribute their expertise toward this endeavor, that via this collaboration this species may be more widely known and studied by naturalist and scientists around the world.

If you would like to offer your expertise, as by offering a written description, making scanning electron micrographs, making electron micrographs, making stained sections, as to identify the internal organ and morphology, or offer other assistance, please contact Terry Lynch. Specimens used to prepare this page and report were obtained from Graham East.

Updates coming soon

It is obvious from initial reports that these bioluminescent Collembola are a splendid species and would be so even if they did not glow. This is but one of at least 7,000 species of Collembola in the world and by some estimates there may be as many as 50,000! Given that Collembola, are an ideal size for photo micrography, they surely represent a challenge to naturalist around the world who would like to photography and study them in greater detail.

Additional photographs of Collembola may be posted in the future. If you have original photographs of this or related species which exhibit bioluminescence please send them to Terry Lynch. The author reserves the right to publish all entries and will give appropriate credit for all photographs published on-line or otherwise used. Thank you for your help and contribution in this respect to advancing the study of bioluminescent organisms.

Species Identified The bioluminescent species of Collembola found by Graham East has been identified as Anurida granaria (Nicolet, H., 1847), and will hereinafter be referred to by its proper genus-species name or simply A. granaria. A distribution map is presented at: www.geocities.com/~fransjanssens/taxa/pseuinae.htm Subfamilia Pseudachorutinae Börner, 1906 Tribus Pseudachorutini Börner, 1906 Genus Anurida Laboulbène, 1865 Species granaria (Nicolet, H, 1847:387) Tullberg, 1869, B Identification was made by Dr. Wanda M. Weiner. Wanda M. Weiner Ph.D. Head of the Laboratory of Invertebrates Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals Polish Academy of Sciences Slawkowska 17, Pl- 31 016 Krakow, Poland e-mail: weiner@isez.pan.krakow.pl www.isez.pan.krakow.pl/staff/wwei.htm This is a cosmopolitan species and the initial specimens under consideration contained a mix of species. After this was discovered efforts were made to isolate the bioluminescent species and to establish a pure stock. Hence some of the initial description and photographs shown on this site are incorrect and will be updated in the future. I would like to thank Dr. Weiner for the time and effort spent in helping to identify this bioluminescent species from the mixed collection of Collembola that was sent. Terry Lynch 21 Oct. 2001

Bioluminescence of Anurida granaria confirmed and described On 3 Dec. 2001 specimens of Anurida granaria arrived in Alabama. Click here to learn more about their bioluminescence and behavior. Technique for observing bioluminescence of A. granaria Graham East has reported observing bioluminescent displays of A. granaria in the field when logs, bricks or other ground cover is over turned at night. To duplicate this observation in the laboratory, specimens must first be reared. In vitro specimens will exhibit bioluminescence when disturbed by a gentle breath of air blown over a rearing vial, by tapping upon a test tube which contains specimens or even by loud sound, such as that made by a horn. In order to observe bioluminescence of A. granaria specimens should by left undisturbed in a room which is made totally absent of light. Allow specimens to remain untouched for at least 12 hours. Then during the evening allow your eyes to become accustomed to the dark for 5-10 minutes. Only then approach specimens for examination. If there is any light coming from windows, LEDs on equipment or other sources, one may arrange to make observations under an opaque blanket or cover so as to block out these remaining dim sources of light. Only when all light sources have been extinguished should specimens be examined. Then when gently stimulated it may be possible to observe their bioluminescence which will appear as a bright green flash which will then rapidly disappear. Initial attempts to observe bioluminescence in A. granaria under the microscope in very dim light have shown that there is no soft, continuous glow. Specimens placed in a small observation chamber made using an "O" ring, cover slip and microscope slide, then observed with only enough light to see their silhouette or a soft outline of their bodies, have revealed no continuous or lingering bioluminescence, not even when the tiny bit of light necessary to sight A. granaria was then turned off. This observation is important as it suggest that the bioluminescence of A. granaria is not caused by a continuously glowing organism which is living inside A. granaria, but is the result of a stimulus-response reaction which may involve photo genic cells, the detection of vibrations as when disturbed and a nervous impulse which triggers the sudden and bright bioluminescence produced by A. granaria. The fact that A. granaria does not flash repeatedly when disturbed also suggest that it requires sometime to reset its alarm flash mechanism. Also this presents a most difficult challenge for the observer and photographer wishing to see and record bioluminescence of individuals or groups of individuals. Not only are the light levels low, but A. granaria only flashes once when disturbed and requires a long rest between flashes, as it were, to recharge its system, perhaps indicating some time is required to manufacture more bioluminescent chemicals. The difficulty of observing bioluminescence in A. granaria may be reduced by increasing the numbers of specimens one has access to for observation and experiment. At the present writing only a few live individuals are in my possession and the priority is to rear these that in the future additional studies of their behavior may be made and presented. If you are anxious to learn more about this marvelous species, please be patient. As has been said, "Good things come to he who waits." I hope this proves to be the case and to be able to present more photographs of A. granaria and reports of its bioluminescence in the future. TAL 13 Dec. 2001 Presenting Anurida granaria Click here to observe photographs taken by Lynch of A. granaria which Graham East first observed to be bioluminescent.

Darkfield illumination reveals spectacular cuticle! Onychiurus sp. collected by Graham East and photographed using dark field illumination by Terry Lynch in August 2001. Photo (c) 2001 by Terry Lynch. In August 2001 this picture was taken under dark field illumination of the cuticle of Onychiurs sp. See Amazing geodesic structures and architectural forms in the natural world The photograph shows a spectacular mosaic pattern forming a lattice structure. This spectacular mosaic structure can not be seen using an optical microscope unless dark field illumination is employed. At the time this photograph was made, along with closer naked eye examination, I was not aware of the fact that this mosaic pattern and structure were not generally well known to all Collembola experts. I thought this structure was so remarkable that it should be used to name this species. As it turns out this structure is so remarkable, perhaps it should have been used to name the entire order. As it turns out, this geodesic epicuticle ultrastructure which is the most characteristic basic structure of the cuticle of all Collembola! I was immediately aware of the fact that this structure would give support and strength to the cuticle. Also it was appearent that this structure would provide a foundation for wax deposites. I was so impressed with this spectacular mosaic structure that I emphasized this should be examined with a scanning electron microscope. One can readily see the nature this geodesic epicuticle structure in the scanning electron micrographs presented by Stephan Borénsztajn in the image gallery on the World Collembola site hosted by Frans Janssens. Additional dark field illumination photographs taken in August 2001 showed that this geodesic epicuticular structure occurred over the entire surface of Onychiurus sp. Although I was not aware at the time that this structure was not generally know to experts who had studied every aspect of Collembola, this was made certain to me later when, in January of 2002, Frans Janssens said that this structure could not be seen with an optical microscope. However, his interest in this matter has appearently been so sparked that he is preparing a report entitled "Some notes on the Ultrastructure of the Cuticula of Colembola (Hexapoda). This is an admirable undertaking and certainly warrants review by anyone interested in these amazing structures. Of course the mosaic pattern of these structures is certainly evident under darkfield illumination as I was able to observe and photographed this structure noting its structural significance under dark field illumination, which, by the way, is the same type of illumination that enabled the discovery of the spirochete, Treponema pallidum, which causes syphilis. This spirochete can not be seen under regular lighting but becomes visible under the angular illumination of dark field illumination just as does the spectacular geodesic mosaic structure of the cuticle of Collembola! This observation brings to mind how important it is to approach a subject with an open mind. It is apparent that the general body of esteemed Collembola experts were not aware of this spectacular geodesic epicuticular structure or at least had never seen these structures with their own two eyes. This is because those whom pleasure in the study of Collembola generally use optical stereo microscopes when viewing or photographing Collembola. The only way you can eye ball these GEO-structures, so to speak, is to use dark field illumination. Though these GEO-structures may have been previously observed and photographed, they certainly are worthy of additional note. As Fran Janssens has so eloquently pointed out, these GEO-structure can not be seen with an optical microscope which uses regular illumination; thus they go unnoticed by the casual observer. I was able to observe and photograph this structure only because I chanced to use dark field illumination. Thus it is that those who have an adventurous spirit are often the most likely to make a discovery for themselves or the world, as they are not accustomed to established procedures nor aware of the proper, paved path to follow. Thus they go wandering down an unknown and never before traveled road. Ah, it is indeed as Robert Frost has said, that I chose the road less traveled, to adventure fourth, and thus stumbled upon this most grand and spectacular lattice structure which I shall term the geodesic epicuticula ultrastructure of Collembola, or simply GEO-structure. Hence it is most appropriate that this site is called "GEO" which indeed is perhaps the most appropriate terminology for this order of insects traditionally known as Collembola. Why certainly if the namers of this order had it to do all over again and were aware of the spectacular nature of the GEO-structure, surely they would call this order by the most proper name, GEO.

Future Study

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How you can help

If you are interested in the study of bioluminescence, the collection, study and rearing of bioluminescent species or have some expertise in these or related matters and would like to collaborate in future studies or share in correspondence please contact Terry Lynch. Also, if you like this site or have some comments, please sign the guestbook below and visit The Glow Buddy Emporium. Thanks!

Distribution and range survey

Survey to determine GEO's range/distribution Your help is needed in order to determine the host range and distribution of Anurida granaria in New Zealand (on both South Island and North Island). After review of GEO FAQs please make an effort to see if this species occurs in your area. Go out at night, allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness, and turn over any logs, stones or other objects. If you see glowing which last from 5-10 seconds, please report your sightings to: TerryLynch or post these in the GUESTBOOK below. Please record your location, time, temperature and habitat where Anurida granaria were observed. If you can try to take photographs or make video of glow displays. Over time this should give a good indication where Anurida granaria occurs. If you can collect specimens for identification preserved in alcohol (90-96% alcohol is preferred if specimens are destined for identification by a taxonomist) this would also be appreciated. Thank you very much for your help!

Bioluminus Guestbook

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Order Bioluminescent Collembolla If you would like to reserve an order of bioluminescent Collembola from stock now being reared please click here. Note: Live Collembola specimens may not be available for export without special import/export permitting. Presently only preserved specimens may be sent out of New Zealand. Any orders received from other countries will be filled by sending specimens preserved in alcohol. These may be used by museums, universities, schools or science teachers interested in Collembola. If you are an individual, please do not ask us to export live specimens as this requires special permitting. It may be possible to arrange special export/import permitting for universities or major agricultural institutions who are prepared to pay all fees and make all necessary and legal permitting applications and pay additional shipping fees in the future. If this should become the case, information will be posted here in the future. But at present this offer for live specimens is ONLY for New Zealand. Thank you.

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