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NEOCEROPLATUS PROJECT

First blue bioluminescent terrestrial organism found in all of Latin America, published in Scientific Reports

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Recently, biologists at the Biodiversity Research Institute looking at bioluminescent mushrooms at night have made yet another important discovery for science. They found larvae of a species of mosquito that emit blue light, it is the first terrestrial organism with blue bioluminescence found in all of Latin America.

These small larvae, less than 2 cm long, have 3 light-emitting organs, two in the head and one in the tail. This discovery aroused great interest in bioluminescence specialists. All this work is done at the Betary Reserve, in Iporanga, where a group of researchers and volunteers are dedicated to the study of bioluminescence in Atlantic Forest organisms. As this is the discovery of a new species, previously
unknown to science, IPBio chose the scientific name, Neoceroplatus betaryiensis, reflecting the fact that it was found in the Betary Reserve in Iporanga, southern São Paulo state. The article, published in the renowned scientific journal Scientific Reports under the title.

These small larvae, less than 2 cm long, have 3 light-emitting organs, two in the head and one in the tail. This discovery aroused great interest among bioluminescence experts around the world. All this work is carried out at the Betary Reserve, in Iporanga, where a group of researchers and volunteers is dedicated to the study of bioluminescent organisms from the Atlantic Forest with the support of the universities involved.

Mini-documentary about bioluminescent species found in Betary Reserve, in Iporanga – SP.

Our Challenges

species inventory

IPBio biologists have been systematically collecting larval and adult Diptera related to Neoceroplatus betaryiensis.

Ecological study and life cycle

Through field research and breeding in controlled environments, IPBIO researchers have sought to clarify aspects related to the life cycle and ecology of Neoceroplatus betaryiensis..

Breeding under controlled conditions of Neoceroplatus

Aiming at ex situ conservation and the production of biological material for research on the mechanisms related to bioluminescence of Neoceroplatus betaryiensis by partnering teams, IPBio has been developing methodologies for the creation of these organisms in captivity.

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Laboratório de Bioluminescência de Fungos do Instituto de Química da USP

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UFScar - Universidade Federal de São Carlos

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