Couple of minor points: luciferin and luciferase are classes of chemicals not individual chemicals and they are defined by their role in bioluminescence. So by definition the light emitting substance is luciferin and by definition the enzyme that drives it is luciferase. There's nothing to discover or prove at that level. The discoveries are what actual molecules are serving those functions in each species.
Secondly the New Zealand Waitomo caves are illuminated by fly larvae (altho the locals do call them glow worms).
Interesting read!
Couple of minor points: luciferin and luciferase are classes of chemicals not individual chemicals and they are defined by their role in bioluminescence. So by definition the light emitting substance is luciferin and by definition the enzyme that drives it is luciferase. There's nothing to discover or prove at that level. The discoveries are what actual molecules are serving those functions in each species.
Secondly the New Zealand Waitomo caves are illuminated by fly larvae (altho the locals do call them glow worms).