PONE-D-21-39869Morphological changes in the tracheal system associated with light organs of the firefly Photinus pyralis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) across life stagesPLOS ONE

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Fireflies are fascinating beetles attracted extensive attention from evolutionary biologists, entomologists, and the public in general. Many species of fireflies, as both adults and larvae, are able to produce lights for defense, communications and other proposes, so oxygen is important of for firefly’s bioluminescent chemical reaction. There is no doubt that the development of the tracheal system and its modification are key to understanding this issue. The authors employ micro-CT scanning to reveal the morphological comparisons across the larva, pupa, and adult life stages, revealing invaluable information for understanding character evolution in a firefly. This work is nicely presented; the illustrations and figures are fantastic; and the conclusions are supported by the given data. I urge to publish this article after a very minor revision.

1. Format: many ‘-’ should be replaced by en dash, which means ‘to’.

2. Data availability: The authors need to deposit the original raw micro-CT slice into online depository. Also, it is better to present 3D videos of the tracheal system of different stages as Supplemental Data.

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Reviewer #1: No

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Morphological changes in the tracheal system associated with light organs of the firefly Photinus pyralis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) across life stages

PONE-D-21-39869R1

Dear Dr. Dunn,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Feng ZHANG, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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