Larval and adult morphology of Photuriselliptica Olivier (Coleoptera, Lampyridae) and a Halloweeny case of cave-dwelling firefly larva feeding on bat guano.

The predatory firefly Photuriselliptica is common throughout the Atlantic Forest and has been proposed as a biomonitor due to the species' narrow niche and elevational range. However, the species is only known from adults, and a more effective monitoring of its populations hinges on the lack of knowledge on their immature stages. Recent sampling in ferruginous caves and inserted in other lithologies, on sites in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, have led to the capture of firefly larvae later reared to adults in the lab. Firefly larvae have been reported in South American caves before; however, they have only been identified to family due to the adult-biased taxonomy of Lampyridae. Here, we provide an updated diagnosis of Photuriselliptica, describe its immature stages for the first time, and update the distribution of the species. The larvae of Photuriselliptica were observed to interact with guano of several bat species, including that of vampire bats. These observations are consistent with the less specialized feeding preferences of photurine larvae, unlike most other firefly taxa, which specialize in gastropods and earthworms. It is yet unclear whether P.elliptica are cave specialists. However, since its occurrence outside caves remains unknown, protecting cave environments must be considered in conservation strategies for this important biomonitor species.

Uanauna gen. nov., a new genus of fireflies endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic forest (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), with key to brazilian genera of Lucidotina.

Here, we propose Uanauna gen. nov. (Lampyridae: Photinini), a new monotypic genus of fireflies endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Uanauna angaporan sp. nov. occurs in Submontane and Montane forest habitats at the Serra do Mar mountain range, in the Southern Fluminense region (Rio de Janeiro State, Southeastern Brazil). The new species was recorded both on the mainland, at the municipality of Itaguaí and Rio de Janeiro, and at the continental island of Ilha Grande, in Angra dos Reis, at the Rio de Janeiro State. An occurrence map and illustrations of diagnostic features are given for the new taxa, as well as a key to Lucidotina genera in Brazil.

Four new species of Luciuranus fireflies from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest (Coleoptera: Lampyridae).

Luciuranus Silveira, Khattar Mermudes, 2016 is a firefly genus whose species bear an intricate, species-specific lock-and-key mechanism of reproductive isolation. Here we propose four new species, Luciuranus magnoculus sp. nov., L. desideratus sp. nov., L. takiyae sp. nov. and L. carioca sp. nov., and provide illustrations of their diagnostic features and an updated key to species. As previously reported for their congenerics, each of the four new species have stereotypical morphology of both male and female terminalia, and are regarded as prima facie endemics of single massifs of the Serra da Mantiqueira and Serra do Mar, in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest.