发光甲虫与生物荧光

生物荧光是活体生物自身可以发光的有趣生命现象。具有这一现象的生物存在于生物四界中,但目前关于这一现象的研究报道主要来自于昆虫,尤其是以萤火虫为代表的发光甲虫的研究。文章对发光甲虫的分类地位、生物荧光发生的原理、发光器官的类型、闪光的“开关”机制、生物荧光的生物学意义及其相关行为学研究进展等进行了详细介绍。此外,还简要提及了荧光生物及其荧光酶的应用。这对了解及探讨生物荧光现象、加强对中国的发光甲虫及其它发光生物的研究及保护利用具有一定的借鉴作用。

Luminous beetles and their bioluminescence

Bioluminescence is an interesting phenomenon of living things to emit light.It is found in four kingdoms,i.e.,Monera,Fungi,Plantae and Animalia.Most studies on bioluminescence,howerer,are carried out on insects,especially luminous beetles whose representative is fireflies.This paper deals in detail with taxonomic status of luminous beetles,the principle of their bioluminescence,the type of photogenic organs,the mechanism of "Flash",biological significance of bioluminescence and the study advances of the related behaviors.In addition,the applications of luminous beetles and their luciferase are also dealt with.It is intended to popularize the knowledge of bioluminescence,to provide some references for studying,conserving and exploiting Chinese luminous beetles and other luminous life-forms.