Abstract:
Since early 18th century no proper scientific investigations have been conducted on aspects of systematics, ecology and conservation value of Sri Lankan fireflies. The present survey was conducted to study the distribution, relative abundance and species diversity of fireflies in three habitat types in nine Provinces of Sri Lanka. Field studies were carried out from 6.00 p. m. to 10.00 p. m. in selected terrestrial grasslands, freshwater associated lands and paddy fields in each province from January 2010 to January in 2012. Out of the reported 14 firefly species encountered, 9 species belonged to the Subfamily Luciolinae, 3 species to the Subfamily Lampyrinae, 2 species to the Subfamily Ototretadrilinae- Ototretinae.. Results indicate that Luciolinae fireflies are the most abundant group of fireflies in Sri Lanka. The nine species of Subfamily Luciolinae belonged to the 5 genera Abscondita (3 species), Luciola (3 species), Asymmetricata (1 species), Curtos (1 species) and Sclerotia (1 species).The three species in Subfamily Lampyrinae belonged to the genus Diaphanes (2 species) and Lamprigera (1 species). The Subfamily Ototretadrilinae included the genus Stenocladius (2 species). The study reports the first record of the firefly Genus Curtos in Sri Lanka. The mean difference of firefly abundance among nine provinces of Sri Lanka is significantly different (ANOVA, n=9, F= 6.523, d. f.= 8, P= .000). The mean difference of firefly abundance in Uva (P= .001), Sabaragamuwa (P= .001) and Southern (P= .000) is significantly high than that of other Provinces. The mean abundance of Abs. perplexa and Asy. humeralis is significantly different among other recorded 12 firefly species throughout the country (ANOVA, n=14, F= 20.131, d. f.= 13, P= .000, P= .000). Sclerotia cingulata was the common firefly species in freshwater associated lands. The Uva Province recorded the highest species richness and diversity. Grassland habitat reported the highest diversity index for fireflies.
