Molecular evolution of phototransduction pathway genes in nocturnal and diurnal fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Most organisms are dependent on sensory cues from their environment for survival and reproduction. Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) represent an ideal system for studying sensory niche adaptation due to many species relying on bioluminescent communication, as well as a diversity of ecology. Here we examine the phototransduction pathway in this non-model organism, and provide some of the first evidence for positive selection in the PT pathway in insects. Duplications are found in calmodulin, inactivation no afterpotential C, inactivation no afterpotential D, and transient receptor potential. We also find strong support for positive selection in arrestin-2, inactivation no afterpotential D, and transient receptor potential, with weak support for positive selection in guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(q) subunit alpha and  neither inactivation nor afterpotential C. This represents an exciting new avenue of study as we seek to further understand these molecular players.