TED2014
Sara Lewis: The loves and lies of fireflies
薩拉·劉易斯: 螢火蟲的愛與謊言
Filmed:
Readability: 4.7
1,025,796 views
生物學家薩拉·劉易斯用了近 20 年來追訴螢火蟲的魔法和奇蹟。在這個迷人的演講中，她告訴我們甲蟲為何又怎樣發出無聲的火花、兩隻螢火蟲交配時到底發生什麼、為什麼一組雌性被稱為螢火蟲吸血鬼（這並不美麗）。劉易斯在下文的註腳有更多關於螢火蟲的驚人事實。
Sara Lewis - Firefly specialist
Evolutionary ecologist Sara Lewis digs deep into firefly mating rituals to uncover a world of secret languages and strange gifts in these silent sparks. Full bio
Evolutionary ecologist Sara Lewis digs deep into firefly mating rituals to uncover a world of secret languages and strange gifts in these silent sparks. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:12
As a scientist, and also as a human being,
0
877
3243
作為一名科學家，
也作為人類的一員，
也作為人類的一員，
00:16
I've been trying to make myself
1
4120
2004
我努力嘗試讓自己
00:18
susceptible to wonder.
2
6124
3375
被神奇的事物感動。
00:21
I think Jason Webley last night called it
3
9499
2869
我記得昨晚傑森·偉柏力說這可謂
「融入成為奇蹟的一部分」。
00:24
"conspiring to be part of the magic."
4
12368
4027
00:28
So it's fortunate that my career as a biologist
5
16395
2821
很幸運的，作為一名生物學家，
00:31
lets me dive deeply into the lives
6
19216
2644
我可以深深地研究一些
00:33
of some truly wondrous creatures
7
21860
2518
和我們共享同一個星球
00:36
that share our planet:
8
24378
2379
而非常奇妙的生物：
00:38
fireflies.
9
26757
1695
螢火蟲。
00:40
Now, for many of you, I know that fireflies
10
28452
2283
我知道，對大部分人來說，螢火蟲
00:42
might conjure up some really great memories:
11
30735
2743
總會召喚出美好的回憶：
00:45
childhood, summertime,
12
33478
3054
童年，夏天，
00:48
even other TED Talks.
13
36532
1770
甚至其他的 TED 演講。
00:50
Maybe something like this.
14
38302
4140
例如這樣。
00:57
My seduction into the world of fireflies
15
45360
2455
我對螢火蟲世界的迷戀
00:59
began when I was back in graduate school.
16
47815
3849
要追溯到讀研究所的時候。
01:03
One evening, I was sitting out in my backyard
17
51664
2824
一天晚上，我坐在院子裡，
01:06
in North Carolina,
18
54488
1938
當時我在北卡羅來納州，
01:08
and suddenly, these silent sparks
19
56426
5299
突然間，這些悄無聲息的花火
01:13
rose up all around me,
20
61725
1854
就在我身邊升起了，
01:15
and I began to wonder:
21
63579
1382
我當時開始想：
01:16
How do these creatures make light,
22
64961
2690
這些小傢伙是怎麼製造光的呢？
01:19
and what's with all this flashing?
23
67651
1690
這樣一閃一閃的又是怎麼回事呢？
01:21
Are they talking to one another?
24
69341
1839
是它們在對話嗎？
01:23
And what happens after the lights go out?
25
71180
3191
這些亮光熄滅以後會發生什麼呢？
01:26
I've been lucky enough to answer
26
74371
1291
我很幸運，
這些年在夜的王國中探訪，
這些年在夜的王國中探訪，
01:27
some of these questions
27
75662
1368
讓我已經可以回答
01:29
as I've explored this nocturnal world.
28
77030
4091
其中的一些問題了。
01:33
Now if you've ever seen
29
81121
2339
如果你見過螢火蟲
01:35
or even heard about fireflies,
30
83460
2101
或者只是聽說過螢火蟲的故事
01:37
then you'll know how magically they can transform
31
85561
2646
那你一定了解它們是
如何能夠魔術般地
如何能夠魔術般地
01:40
our everyday landscape into something
32
88207
2391
把無常的景象轉化得
01:42
ethereal and otherworldly,
33
90598
1903
空靈和如同仙境般的美麗，
01:44
and this happens around the globe,
34
92501
1941
而這發生在世界各處：
01:46
like this hillside in the Smoky Mountains
35
94442
2090
比如在（美國）大煙山的山坡上，
01:48
that I saw transformed into a living cascade of light
36
96532
4086
我看到這些藍色精靈般的
螢火蟲用它們奇異的光
螢火蟲用它們奇異的光
01:52
by the eerie glows of these blue ghost fireflies,
37
100618
4360
造出了一個流動的光的瀑布，
01:56
or a roadside river that I visited in Japan
38
104978
3020
而在日本一條路邊的小河，
01:59
as it was giving birth to the slow, floating flashes
39
107998
4106
我看到這些源氏螢火蟲舞出一道道
02:04
of these Genji fireflies,
40
112104
2631
緩慢流動的光帶，
02:06
or in Malaysia, the mangrove trees
41
114735
2562
或在馬來西亞的紅樹林，
02:09
that I watched blossom nightly
42
117297
2328
每晚所綻放的，
02:11
not with flowers
43
119625
1430
不是花朵，
02:13
but with the lights of a thousand —
(Bleep! Bleep!) — fireflies,
(Bleep! Bleep!) — fireflies,
44
121055
2868
而是一千隻——（嗶！嗶！）
——螢火蟲的光芒，
——螢火蟲的光芒，
02:15
all blinking together
45
123923
1330
它們一起閃爍著，
02:17
in stunning synchrony.
46
125253
3158
讓人難以置信的同步。
02:20
These luminous landscapes
47
128411
2096
這些發光的景觀
02:22
still fill me with wonder,
48
130507
2392
還是讓我驚愕，
02:24
and they keep me connected to the magic
49
132899
2520
它們讓我感觸到
02:27
of the natural world.
50
135419
2408
自然界的奇蹟。
02:29
And I find it amazing that they're created
51
137827
1616
而讓我更驚奇的是，這樣的景象
02:31
by these tiny insects.
52
139443
3288
是由如此小的昆蟲創造的。
02:34
In person, fireflies are charming.
53
142731
2891
我本身覺得，螢火蟲是迷人的。
02:37
They're charismatic.
54
145622
1813
它們充滿魅力。
02:39
They've been celebrated in art
55
147435
1684
幾個世紀以來，它們不斷在藝術
02:41
and in poetry for centuries.
56
149119
2475
和詩歌裡受到讚頌。
02:43
As I've traveled around the world,
57
151594
1398
我曾在世界各地旅行，
02:44
I've met many thoughtful people
58
152992
2018
遇過許多有思想的人，
02:47
who have told me that God put fireflies on Earth
59
155010
2829
他們告訴我，
上帝把螢火蟲放在世上，
上帝把螢火蟲放在世上，
02:49
for humans to enjoy.
60
157839
2151
是為了讓人類欣賞。
02:51
Other creatures can enjoy them too.
61
159990
2396
別的生物也同樣欣賞它們。
02:54
I think these graceful insects are truly miraculous
62
162386
4329
我覺得這些優雅的昆蟲是個奇蹟，
02:58
because they so beautifully illuminate
63
166715
4005
它們如此優美地詮釋了
03:02
the creative improvisation of evolution.
64
170720
4231
進化中那充滿想像力的即興創作。
03:06
They've been shaped by two powerful
65
174951
1810
它們是受兩種強大的進化力量
03:08
evolutionary forces:
66
176761
1531
影響形成的：
03:10
natural selection, the struggle for survival,
67
178292
3660
天擇是為了生存的奮鬥；
03:13
and sexual selection,
68
181952
2149
而性擇，
03:16
the struggle for reproductive opportunity.
69
184101
4061
是為了爭取繁衍的機會而努力。
03:20
As a firefly junkie, the past 20 years
70
188162
2351
作為一個螢火蟲迷，過去的二十年
03:22
have been quite an exciting ride.
71
190513
2486
是讓我非常興奮的一場旅程。
03:24
Together with my students at Tufts University
72
192999
2497
我和在塔夫茨大學的學生們
03:27
and other colleagues,
73
195496
1016
還有同事一起，
03:28
we've made lots of new discoveries about fireflies:
74
196512
3607
發現了關於螢火蟲的許多新鮮事：
03:32
their courtship and sex lives,
75
200119
2009
它們的求愛和性生活，
03:34
their treachery and murder.
76
202128
2894
它們的背叛和謀殺。
03:37
So today I'd like to share with you
77
205022
1817
所以今天我想和你們分享
03:38
just a couple of tales that we've brought back
78
206839
2471
幾個故事，這是從我們深入到這個
03:41
from our collective adventures
79
209310
2478
這個隱秘的世界後一系列的探險後
03:43
into this hidden world.
80
211788
3710
帶回來的。
03:47
Fireflies belong to a very beautiful
81
215498
3162
螢火蟲屬於一種非常美麗，
03:50
and diverse group of insects, the beetles.
82
218660
4238
而且多樣的昆蟲群，甲蟲。
03:54
Worldwide, there are more than 2,000 firefly species,
83
222898
4613
全世界有超過 2000 種
螢火蟲的種類，
螢火蟲的種類，
03:59
and these have evolved remarkably diverse
84
227511
2160
而它們都衍生了有各式各樣的
04:01
courtship signals,
85
229671
1355
求愛信號，
04:03
that is, different ways to find and attract mates.
86
231026
3634
也就是，找尋和吸引
伴侶的不同方式。
伴侶的不同方式。
04:06
Around 150 million years ago,
87
234660
2256
大約 1.5 億年前，
04:08
the very first fireflies probably looked like this.
88
236916
3129
最初的螢火蟲可能長得像這個樣子。
04:12
They flew during the daytime
89
240045
1357
它們在白天飛，
04:13
and they didn't light up.
90
241402
2263
而且不發光。
04:15
Instead, males used their fantastic antennae
91
243665
3173
取而代之的是，
雄性用它們靈敏的觸鬚
雄性用它們靈敏的觸鬚
04:18
to sniff out perfumes given off by their females.
92
246838
4111
來嗅聞雌性散發的香味。
04:22
In other fireflies, it's only the females who light up.
93
250949
3606
其它的螢火蟲族群中，
只有雌性螢火蟲會發光。
只有雌性螢火蟲會發光。
04:26
They are attractively plump and wingless,
94
254555
4342
它們有迷人的豐滿身體，沒有翅膀，
04:30
so every night, they climb up onto perches
95
258897
1924
所以每天晚上，它們爬上岸邊，
04:32
and they glow brightly for hours
96
260821
1968
持續幾個小時地發出明亮的光芒，
04:34
to attract their flying but unlit males.
97
262789
5191
吸引正飛舞著的，
但不會發光的雄性。
但不會發光的雄性。
04:39
In still other fireflies, both sexes
98
267980
1850
還有些螢火蟲種類，雄性和雌性
04:41
use quick, bright flashes to find their mates.
99
269830
3387
都會用快速閃動的亮光
來尋找它們的配偶。
來尋找它們的配偶。
04:45
Here in North America,
100
273217
1471
就在北美洲這裡，
04:46
we have more than 100 different kinds of firefly
101
274688
3141
我們有超過 100 種
不同種類的螢火蟲，
不同種類的螢火蟲，
04:49
that have the remarkable ability to shine energy
102
277829
3577
它們都有非凡的能力，
04:53
out from their bodies
103
281406
2238
將身體裡的能量
04:55
in the form of light.
104
283644
2326
轉化成光。
04:57
How do they do that?
105
285970
2450
它們是怎麼做到的呢？
05:00
It seems totally magical,
106
288420
2033
這看起來完全像魔術，
05:02
but these bioluminescent signals
107
290453
1283
但這些動物所發出的光信號
05:03
arise from carefully orchestrated chemical reactions
108
291736
3304
需經過螢火蟲的燈籠中的
05:07
that happen inside the firefly lantern.
109
295040
2894
多種化學反應的精密協調。
05:09
The main star is an enzyme called luciferase,
110
297934
3307
主角是一種螢光素酶，
05:13
which in the course of evolution
111
301241
1755
在漫長的進化中，
05:14
has figured out a way to wrap its tiny arms
112
302996
3194
成功地把它的小染色體臂
05:18
around an even smaller molecule called luciferin,
113
306190
3590
包裹住了一個更小的螢光素分子，
05:21
in the process getting it so excited
114
309780
2677
這個過程中它受到激發，
05:24
that it actually gives off light.
115
312457
3374
以致發出了光。
05:27
Incredible.
116
315831
1675
不可思議。
05:29
But how could these bright lights
117
317506
1828
但是這些亮光是如何讓
05:31
have benefited some proto-firefly?
118
319334
4145
一些原始螢火蟲受益的呢？
05:35
To answer this question, we need to flip back
119
323479
2110
要回答這個問題，我們需要先回顧
05:37
in the family album to some baby pictures.
120
325589
4364
螢火蟲的族譜，
我們來看幾張小螢火蟲的照片。
我們來看幾張小螢火蟲的照片。
05:41
Fireflies completely reinvent
their bodies as they grow.
their bodies as they grow.
121
329953
3712
在生長過程中，
螢火蟲完全變異了它們的身體，
螢火蟲完全變異了它們的身體，
05:45
They spend the vast majority of their lifetime,
122
333665
2301
它們生命中絕大部分的時間，
05:47
up to two years,
123
335966
1743
長至兩年，
05:49
in this larval form.
124
337709
2861
都花在幼蟲期。
05:52
Their main goal here, like my teenagers,
125
340570
2253
這時候它們主要的目標，
就像我青少年的孩子，
就像我青少年的孩子，
05:54
is to eat and grow.
126
342823
3155
是吃和長大。
05:57
And firefly light first originated
127
345978
2452
螢火蟲第一次發光
06:00
in these juveniles.
128
348430
2047
是在它們的青少年期。
06:02
Every single firefly larva can light up,
129
350477
2430
每一隻螢火蟲幼蟲都可以發光，
06:04
even when their adults can't.
130
352907
2879
即便它們長大以後不能發光。
06:07
But what's the point
131
355786
1092
但是為什麼
06:08
to being so conspicuous?
132
356878
3637
它們要如此顯眼？
06:12
Well, we know that these juveniles
133
360515
1618
我們知道這些幼蟲
06:14
make nasty-tasting chemicals
134
362133
1980
會製造難吃的化學物，
06:16
that help them survive their extended childhood,
135
364113
3618
以保護自己安全度過漫長的童年。
06:19
so we think these lights first evolved as a warning,
136
367731
3830
所以我們認為，最開始進化出
這些亮光是作為一種警告，
這些亮光是作為一種警告，
06:23
a neon sign that says, "Toxic! Stay away!"
137
371561
4559
這就像一個霓虹燈，
喊著：「有毒！走開！」
喊著：「有毒！走開！」
06:28
to any would-be predators.
138
376120
2894
嚇唬任何可能的捕食者。
06:31
It took many millions of years
139
379014
2950
這之後又經過了好幾百萬年的時間，
06:33
before these bright lights
140
381964
1399
這些亮光才進化成為
06:35
evolved into a smart communication tool
141
383363
2538
一種聰明的溝通工具，
06:37
that could be used not just to
ward off potential predators
ward off potential predators
142
385901
3015
不止是用來躲避可能的捕食者，
06:40
but to bring in potential mates.
143
388916
2970
也用來吸引可能的伴侶。
06:43
Driven now by sexual selection,
144
391886
2801
現在來談談關於性擇，
06:46
some adult fireflies
145
394687
1890
一些成年螢火蟲，
06:48
like this proud male
146
396577
2396
就像這只驕傲的雄蟲，
06:50
evolved a shiny new glow-in-the-dark lantern
147
398973
3792
演化出一個在黑暗中閃亮的燈籠，
06:54
that would let them take courtship
148
402765
1844
這個燈籠會讓它的求愛
06:56
to a whole new level.
149
404609
3780
達到一個全新的水平。
07:00
These adults only live a few weeks,
150
408389
2452
這些成蟲只有幾個星期的壽命，
07:02
and now they're single-mindedly focused on sex,
151
410841
4916
這時候它們一心只想著交配，
07:07
that is, on propelling their genes
152
415757
1970
讓自己的基因繁衍出
07:09
into the next firefly generation.
153
417727
2776
下一代的螢火蟲。
07:12
So we can follow this male out into the field
154
420503
3264
我們可以跟著這隻雄蟲到野外去，
07:15
as he joins hundreds of other males
155
423767
3024
它置身於數百隻其他雄蟲中，
07:18
who are all showing off their new courtship signals.
156
426791
4378
它們都在炫耀著它們新的求愛信號。
07:23
It's amazing to think that the luminous displays
157
431169
2992
想想看，我們在這裡
07:26
we admire
158
434161
1684
和世界各地讚歎的
07:27
here and in fact everywhere around the world
159
435845
2435
這些光亮，
07:30
are actually the silent love songs
160
438280
4196
它們其實是雄性螢火蟲
07:34
of male fireflies.
161
442476
2977
靜默無聲的情歌。
07:37
They're flying and flashing their hearts out.
162
445453
4087
它們飛舞著，閃耀著它們的真心，
07:41
I still find it very romantic.
163
449540
3540
我至今認為，這太浪漫了。
07:45
But meanwhile, where are all the females?
164
453080
3417
但同時，雌性螢火蟲在哪裡呢？
07:48
Well, they're lounging down below
165
456497
1595
它們懶洋洋地待在低處，
07:50
surveying their options.
166
458092
1738
審視著這些可能性。
07:51
They have plenty of males to choose from,
167
459830
1928
有充足的雄性螢火蟲可供它們選擇，
07:53
and these females turn out to be very picky.
168
461758
4092
而這些雌螢火蟲是非常挑剔的。
07:57
When a female sees a flash
169
465850
2365
當一隻雌螢火蟲看到
一隻特別吸引人的雄性
一隻特別吸引人的雄性
08:00
from an especially attractive male,
170
468215
2647
發出的閃光時，
08:02
she'll aim her lantern in his direction,
171
470862
2981
她會把她的燈籠朝向雄螢火蟲，
08:05
and give him a flash back.
172
473843
2527
也給他一個閃光回應，
08:08
It's her "come hither" sign.
173
476370
3401
這是她在說「到這兒來」。
08:11
So he flies closer and he flashes again.
174
479771
3595
雄螢火蟲於是飛近她，再次閃光，
08:15
If she still likes him,
175
483366
1126
如果雌螢火蟲仍然喜歡他，
08:16
they'll strike up a conversation.
176
484492
3211
他們就開始聊起天來。
08:19
These creatures speak their love
177
487703
2692
這種生物用光的語言
08:22
in the language of light.
178
490395
2903
訴說他們的愛情。
08:25
So what exactly do these females consider sexy?
179
493298
4897
那麼，到底什麼對這些
雌螢火蟲來說是性感的呢？
雌螢火蟲來說是性感的呢？
08:30
We decided to conduct some firefly opinion polls
180
498195
2745
我們決定在螢火蟲中做些民意調查
08:32
to find out.
181
500940
1762
來尋求答案。
08:34
When we tested females using blinking LED lights,
182
502702
3208
當我們用閃光的 LED 燈
測試雌螢火蟲時，
測試雌螢火蟲時，
08:37
we discovered they prefer males
183
505910
2315
我們發現它們更喜歡
08:40
who give longer-lasting flashes.
184
508225
4055
可以持久發光的雄性。
08:44
(Laughter) (Applause)
185
512280
3611
（大笑 ）（鼓掌）
08:47
I know you're wondering,
186
515891
1179
我猜你們想知道，
08:49
what gives these males their sex appeal?
187
517070
3203
是什麼給予雄螢火蟲性吸引力？
08:52
Now we get to see what happens
188
520273
1375
那我們就要來看看
08:53
when the lights go out.
189
521648
2561
燈光熄滅後發生了什麼。
08:56
The first thing we discovered
190
524209
1469
我們發現的第一件事，
08:57
is that once a male and female hook up like this,
191
525678
2769
是一旦雄螢火蟲和雌螢火蟲
纏綿在一起時，
纏綿在一起時，
09:00
they stay together all night long,
192
528447
2745
它們就會一整晚呆在一起，
09:03
and when we looked inside
193
531192
1227
我們再朝裡面看看，
09:04
to see what might be happening,
194
532419
1434
看看正在發生什麼，
09:05
we discovered a surprising new twist
195
533853
2288
我們驚人地發現一個
09:08
to firefly sex.
196
536141
1964
螢火蟲性行為的轉折。
09:10
While they're mating,
197
538105
1170
當它們交配時，
09:11
the male is busy giving the female
198
539275
1804
雄螢火蟲不止忙著
09:13
not just his sperm
199
541079
1971
向雌螢火蟲射精，
09:15
but also a nutrient-filled package
200
543050
4106
還給她一個富含營養的袋子，
09:19
called a nuptial gift.
201
547156
4621
叫做新婚彩禮。
09:23
We can zoom in to look more closely
202
551777
1934
我們可以放大，更近地看看
09:25
inside this mating pair.
203
553711
1563
在交配的螢火蟲的體內。
09:27
We can actually see the gift —
204
555274
1693
我們可以看到這個禮物——
09:28
it's shown here in red —
205
556967
1412
在這裡它看起來是紅色的——
09:30
as it's being passed from the male to the female.
206
558379
3950
它正從雄螢火蟲傳向雌螢火蟲。
09:34
What makes this gift so valuable
207
562329
3135
這個禮物如此珍貴，
09:37
is that it's packed with protein
208
565464
1856
是因為它有豐富的蛋白質，
09:39
that the female will use to provision her eggs.
209
567320
4461
這是雌螢火蟲產卵所必需的營養。
09:43
So females are keeping their eyes on this prize
210
571781
3870
所以雌螢火蟲在評估
它們潛在的伴侶時，
它們潛在的伴侶時，
09:47
as they size up potential mates.
211
575651
2272
都心繫於這個禮物。
09:49
We discovered that females use male flash signals
212
577923
2869
我們發現雌螢火蟲
努力通過雄性的閃光信號
努力通過雄性的閃光信號
09:52
to try to predict which males
213
580792
2047
來預測哪些雄性
09:54
have the biggest gifts to offer,
214
582839
2070
可以提供最豐厚的禮物，
09:56
because this bling helps the female lay more eggs
215
584909
4837
因為這個閃光寶貝可以幫助
雌螢火蟲產下更多的卵，
雌螢火蟲產下更多的卵，
10:01
and ultimately launch more of her own offspring
216
589746
3251
以至於在新一代螢火蟲中，
10:04
into the next generation.
217
592997
2750
可以有更多是她自己的後代。
10:09
So it's not all sweetness and light.
218
597687
2008
所以這不全是甜蜜和柔光，
10:11
Firefly romance is risky.
219
599695
2771
螢火蟲的羅曼史也飽含危險的。
10:14
For the most part, these adult fireflies
220
602466
2477
大部分情況下，
成年螢火蟲不會被吃掉，
成年螢火蟲不會被吃掉，
10:16
don't get eaten because like their juveniles
221
604943
2684
因為像它們幼蟲時候一樣，
10:19
they can manufacture toxins that are repellent
222
607627
2936
它們可以製造毒素，
10:22
to birds and other insectivores,
223
610563
3057
讓鳥兒和其他食蟲動物躲開它們。
10:25
but somewhere along the line,
224
613620
2500
但在歷史的某一頁，
10:28
one particular group of fireflies
225
616120
2320
螢火蟲中的某一種類，
10:30
somehow lost the metabolic machinery
226
618440
3127
莫名其妙地就失去了這種代謝機制，
10:33
needed to make their own protective toxins.
227
621567
3803
無法製造自己的防衛毒素。
10:37
This evolutionary flaw,
228
625370
2280
這個進化中的小瑕疵，
10:39
which was discovered by my colleague Tom Eisner,
229
627650
2706
是由我的同事湯姆·艾斯納發現的，
10:42
has driven these fireflies
230
630356
1943
這促使這些螢火蟲
10:44
to take their bright lights out into the night
231
632299
3398
不懷好意地
10:47
with treacherous intent.
232
635697
3683
在黑夜中點亮自己。
10:51
Dubbed "femme fatales"
233
639380
1630
這是被我另一個同事吉姆·洛伊
10:53
by Jim Lloyd, another colleague,
234
641010
2485
稱為「蛇蠍美人」的雌性螢火蟲，
10:55
these females have figured out how to target
235
643495
2918
它們搞清楚了吸引
10:58
the males of other firefly species.
236
646413
3811
其他類型的雄螢火蟲的套路。
11:02
So the hunt begins with the predator —
237
650224
1900
這場狩獵是從捕食者開始的——
11:04
she's shown here in the lower left —
238
652124
2047
她在左下方這裡，
11:06
where she's sitting quietly
239
654171
2047
正安靜地坐著，
11:08
and eavesdropping on the courtship conversation
240
656218
3132
在偷聽她想要捕食的螢火蟲
11:11
of her intended prey,
241
659350
1440
求愛的對話，
11:12
and here's how it might go.
242
660790
2013
接下來會發生的也許是如此。
11:14
First the prey male flashes, "Do you love me?"
243
662803
3870
首先，那個將被捕食的
雄螢火蟲說：「你愛我嗎？」
雄螢火蟲說：「你愛我嗎？」
11:18
His own female responds, "Maybe."
244
666673
4106
他自己的雌螢火蟲回答說，
「可能吧。」
「可能吧。」
11:22
So then he flashes again.
245
670779
2826
所以接下來他又閃爍起來。
11:25
But this time, the predator sneaks in a reply
246
673605
3553
但這次，是捕獵者狡猾地在回答，
11:29
that cleverly mimics exactly
what the other female just said.
what the other female just said.
247
677158
5676
她很聰明，逼真地模仿
其他雌螢火蟲剛說過的話。
其他雌螢火蟲剛說過的話。
11:34
She's not looking for love: she's looking for toxins.
248
682834
4466
她不是在尋找愛：她在尋找毒素。
11:39
If she's good, she can lure this male close enough
249
687300
3881
如果她是個中好手，
她可以勾引這隻雄螢火蟲繼續靠近，
她可以勾引這隻雄螢火蟲繼續靠近，
11:43
to reach out and grab him,
250
691181
2991
直到抓住他，
11:46
and he's not just a light snack.
251
694172
2441
他不止是一餐發光的小點心。
11:48
Over the next hour, she slowly
252
696613
2835
再接下來的一個小時，她慢慢地
11:51
exsanguinates this male
253
699448
2859
把這隻雄螢火蟲的血抽光，
11:54
leaving behind just some gory remains.
254
702307
3693
只剩下一具血淋淋的軀殼。
11:58
Unable to make their own toxins,
255
706000
2751
因為不能製造自己的毒素，
12:00
these females resort to drinking the blood
256
708751
2337
這些雌螢火蟲依靠
喝其他螢火蟲的血，
喝其他螢火蟲的血，
12:03
of other fireflies to get these protective chemicals.
257
711088
4695
來得到這些有防衛作用的化學物質。
12:07
So a firefly vampire,
258
715783
5845
所以，在天擇下，
12:13
brought to you by natural selection.
259
721628
4352
吸血鬼螢火蟲誕生了。
12:17
We still have a lot to learn about fireflies,
260
725980
3181
還有很多關於螢火蟲的
故事等待我們去發現，
故事等待我們去發現，
12:21
but it looks like many stories will remain untold,
261
729161
3383
但可能許多故事會永遠保持著緘默，
12:24
because around the world, firefly populations
262
732544
2429
因為在世界各地，螢火蟲
12:26
are blinking out.
263
734973
2655
在眨眼的瞬間已經滅絕。
12:29
The main culprit: habitat loss.
264
737628
2588
罪魁禍首是：棲息地的消失。
12:32
Pretty much everywhere, the fields and forests,
265
740216
2486
世界各地的許多曠野和森林，
紅樹林和草地，
紅樹林和草地，
12:34
the mangroves and meadows
that fireflies need to survive,
that fireflies need to survive,
266
742702
2947
這些螢火蟲生存需要的環境
12:37
are giving way to development and to sprawl.
267
745649
3632
都讓路給開發和擴張。
12:41
Here's another problem: we've conquered darkness,
268
749281
4189
還有另一個問題：
我們已經征服了黑暗，
我們已經征服了黑暗，
12:45
but in the process, we spill so
much extra light out into the night
much extra light out into the night
269
753470
3494
但在這個過程中，
我們把這麼多多餘的光投向夜晚，
我們把這麼多多餘的光投向夜晚，
12:48
that it disrupts the lives of other creatures,
270
756964
3126
這讓其他生物的生活陷入混亂，
12:52
and fireflies are especially sensitive to light pollution
271
760090
3444
螢火蟲對光害尤其敏感，
12:55
because it obscures the signals
272
763534
2621
因為這讓它們用來尋找配偶的
12:58
that they use to find their mates.
273
766155
4459
信號變得模糊不清。
13:02
Do we really need fireflies?
274
770614
1978
我們真的需要螢火蟲嗎？
13:04
After all, they're just one tiny bit
275
772592
2039
畢竟，它們只是地球生物多樣性中
13:06
of Earth's biodiversity.
276
774631
2269
一個微小的點。
13:08
Yet every time a species is lost,
277
776900
3308
然而每次一種生物滅絕，
13:12
it's like extinguishing a room full of candles
278
780208
2689
就像在一間擺滿蠟燭的房間裡
13:14
one by one.
279
782897
2928
一個接一個地熄滅蠟燭。
13:17
You might not notice
280
785825
946
你可能不會注意
13:18
when the first few flames flicker out,
281
786771
3290
最初搖曳熄滅的那些火焰，
13:22
but in the end, you're left sitting in darkness.
282
790061
4374
但最後，只剩下你獨自坐在黑暗中。
13:31
As we work together to craft a planetary future,
283
799591
4820
在我們一起努力為這個星球
創造美好的未來時，
創造美好的未來時，
13:36
I hope we can find a way
284
804411
2464
我希望我們可以找到一種方法
13:38
to keep these bright lights shining.
285
806875
3453
讓這些明亮的小燈籠繼續閃耀。
13:42
Thank you.
286
810328
2036
謝謝。
13:44
(Applause)
287
812364
2308
（鼓掌）
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Sara Lewis - Firefly specialistEvolutionary ecologist Sara Lewis digs deep into firefly mating rituals to uncover a world of secret languages and strange gifts in these silent sparks.
Why you should listen
Before Sara Lewis lifted the lid on the unexplored lives of fireflies, much of the sexual intrigue behind their flashing displays was a mystery. Although initially focused on sea creatures, Lewis became hooked on these enigmatic insects, realizing that when it came to firefly mating habits, "we had no idea what went on once the lights went out," as she told the New York Times.
Her fascination has led Lewis, a professor at Tufts University, to pursue field and laboratory studies of fireflies around the world. In the course of her groundbreaking research, she’s illuminated many surprising twists of firefly behavior: including elaborate flash dances, predatory eavesdropping and deceit, and “wedding gift” delivery services (video).
More profile about the speakerHer fascination has led Lewis, a professor at Tufts University, to pursue field and laboratory studies of fireflies around the world. In the course of her groundbreaking research, she’s illuminated many surprising twists of firefly behavior: including elaborate flash dances, predatory eavesdropping and deceit, and “wedding gift” delivery services (video).
Sara Lewis | Speaker | TED.com