At 6:03 pm President Barbara Saunders called the meeting of the Society to order. Vice-President Ken Chaya introduced Sara Lewis, Professor of Biology at Tufts University whose talk, “Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies,” described the roles of bioluminescence in the life cycle of these ubiquitous and much-admired beetles, belonging to the family Lampyridae. The firefly lineage branched off from the rest of the beetles about 150 million years ago. There are at least 2000 species, with member species occurring on all continents except Antarctica. Bioluminescence occurs when the substrate, luciferin, reacts with the enzyme luciferase, ATP, and oxygen. All larvae exhibit bioluminescence, probably as a warning signal to predators that they contain toxins, while most adults use light in courtship rituals. The pattern of signaling by the flying males is species-specific and evokes a response from females of the same species, who are on the ground. Once mating has been initiated, the male transfers to the female a large “nuptial gift,” a protein-rich substance essential for subsequent successful egg-laying. The eggs are laid in moist soil or leaf litter and the larvae, voracious predators, may remain underground for up to three years. Following pupation, adults emerge and spend the next few weeks without food while looking for a mate. Sara described one notable exception to this cycle in the genus Photuris. A female Photuris mimics the signaling pattern of a different genus, sending signals to unwitting males, who approach and are eaten, thus providing a large protein meal for subsequent egg production. In the remaining part of her talk, Sara pointed out that fireflies, like most insect species, are declining. The main causes are habitat loss, particularly from housing development, loss of wetlands and mangrove swamps, increasing light pollution, which disrupts mating signaling, and the increase in the use of neonicotinoid insecticides. However there is hope for these remarkable insects, as the public is increasingly aware of the problems. Sara noted a new organization called Firefly Watch where observations can be posted to the iNaturalist website.
At the conclusion of the talk, Linnaean Society Member Robert Paxton alerted members to the off-shore wind farm staging area proposed for the west end of Jones Beach State Park. Robert warned that this proposal by NYSERDA would have a major impact on shore birds that frequent the beach in this area of the Park. Society members may wish to express their concerns to the appropriate authorities.
At 7:31 p.m. President Saunders reconvened the meeting. Recording Secretary Hamish Young read the Minutes of the April 9th 2019 meeting. They were approved after a correction to the timing of the second lecture of the evening. Secretary Lydia Thomas announced the following applications for membership in the Society: Leslie K. Deutsch sponsored by Alice Deutsch, Gabriel Cunningham sponsored by Kathleen Matthews and Mary Beth Kooper, and Ruby T. Senie sponsored by Andrew Rubenfeld. All of the applications for membership were approved unanimously. President Saunders announced that Ryan Zucker has been awarded the Lillian Stoner Award for young ornithologists. She also announced that the Great Gull Island Birdathon on May 11th and 12th had raised considerable funds for research and that tax-deductible donations can still be made. The program for the 2019-2020 season is almost complete and will be mailed to all members in August in the Annual Mailing, which includes notice of dues, now payable using the PayPal app. Conservation Committee Chair Rochelle Thomas announced beach clean-ups at Half Moon Beach and Rockaway Beach.
After the conclusion of the business section of the meeting, President Saunders introduced J. Drew Lanham, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology at Clemson University. His talk, “The Art of Writing Natural History: Using Birds as Creative Conduits to Conservation,” was accompanied by a series of his beautiful photographs of the fauna and flora, mainly of his native South Carolina. Drew, an accomplished poet and naturalist, made a compelling case for integrating the scientific study of the natural world with an appreciation of the cultural, political, and economic context of those studies as a way to engage people in the urgent task of conservation. As a person of color, he is acutely aware of the need to understand the social milieu of conservation efforts. Among many examples of the integration of the social with the scientific, Drew pointed to an Audubon preserve in South Carolina situated in an old rice-growing plantation that abounds in wetland birds. This area was first cultivated by slaves from Senegal and The Gambia who understood the intricate hydrology needed for successful rice-growing. It is thanks to their efforts that the area is such a rich bird habitat today. He also drew historical parallels between the plight of the Maroons, escapees from plantation chattel slavery, and the dwindling Carolina parakeet population, both finding refuge in cypress swamps away from their human persecutors. A further insight came from Drew’s appreciation that while South Carolina is land rich, it is cash poor, with many small-holders living in great poverty. He urged that conservation efforts must be sensitive to the economic pressures and needs of the human communities affected by such efforts. This can be beneficial to both land owners and to the natural world. As an example, Prothonatory Warblers need mature forest for nesting, but the fledglings need a mixed-use landscape typical of the small holders’ parcels. Appropriate stewardship of their land can thus not only enhance the survival of this species but also allow an economic benefit to the small holder. Such an integrative approach, which blends natural history with social and economic justice, and appeals to the heart as well as to the mind, will be necessary for successful conservation.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Hamish Young, Recording Secretary