1
|
Rebora M, Piersanti S, Romani A, Kovalev A, Gorb S, Salerno G. Sexual dimorphism in the structural colours of the wings of the black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Sci Rep 2024; 14:19655. [PMID: 39179757 PMCID: PMC11343838 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70684-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) plays a significant role at the larval stage in the circular economy due to its ability to convert organic waste into valuable products for energy, food, feed, and agricultural applications. Many data are available on larval development and biomass generation, but basic research on this species is lacking and little is known about adult biology, in particular about the cues involved in sexual recognition. In the present study, using various instruments (stereomicroscope, scanning and transmission electron microscope, hyperspectral camera and spectrophotometer), wing ultrastructure of both sexes was analysed, reflectance and transmission spectra of the wings were measured and behavioural bioassays were carried out to measure male response to specific visual stimuli. The collected data showed the existence of sexual dimorphism in the wings of H. illucens due to iridescent structural colouration generated by a multilayer of melanin located in the dorsal lamina of the central part of the wing. Wing sexual dimorphism is particularly evident regarding the strong emission of blue light of female wings. Blue colour induces in males a strong motivation to mate. The obtained results can help to improve and optimize the breeding techniques of BSF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rebora
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvana Piersanti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121, Perugia, Italy
| | - Aldo Romani
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06121, Perugia, Italy
| | - Alexander Kovalev
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24098, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 06121, Perugia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zenni TM, Crivelaro AZ, Pestana GC, Guillermo-Ferreira R. How to train your dragon: absolute conditioning in larval dragonflies. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2024; 111:32. [PMID: 38856769 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01919-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Insects, despite possessing relatively small brains, exhibit noteworthy adaptive behaviors, making them intriguing subjects for understanding learning mechanisms. This study explores the learning capabilities of dragonfly larvae (Anisoptera: Aeshnidae) in conditioning experiments, shedding light on the cognitive processes that underpin their remarkable abilities. As apex predators, dragonflies play a crucial role in ecosystems, necessitating a diverse range of learning behaviors for survival and reproductive success. We addressed whether dragonfly larvae can differentiate between different colored stimuli and associate color with prey. Our experimental design demonstrated that dragonfly larvae are able to recognize conditioning stimuli. The findings contribute valuable insights into the cognitive abilities of dragonflies, suggesting that these insects can learn and discriminate colors of stimuli. Overall, this research broadens our understanding of insect learning and cognition, contributing to the broader field of animal behavior and memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiene M Zenni
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Natural Resources, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda Z Crivelaro
- Graduate Program in Entomology and Biodiversity Conservation, Federal University of Grand Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil
| | - Gabrielle C Pestana
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Natural Resources, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Rhainer Guillermo-Ferreira
- Entomology and Experimental Biology Center, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Av. Tutunas 490, Uberaba, MG, 38061-500, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Know your enemy: The dragonfly Erythrodiplax fusca (Libellulidae) uses eavesdropping to obtain information about potential rivals. Behav Processes 2022; 202:104741. [PMID: 36038024 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Animals can eavesdrop on other competitors during territorial defense disputes to better choose rivals weaker than themselves and increase the chances of monopolizing resources. In dragonflies, males often compete for access to water bodies, which attract sexually receptive females to mate and lay eggs. During the breeding season, satellite males can observe fights between territory owners and intruders and, therefore, obtain information about potential rivals through visual cues. Consequently, weaker competitors may face more intense competition than stronger ones when defending a territory. In this study, we conducted field experiments with the dragonfly Erythrodiplax fusca to investigate whether eavesdropping on territorial disputes, using visual cues, affects the intensity of competition that territory owners face. We recorded the number of intruders that engage in disputes against males that recently occupied territories in two groups: the "eavesdropping" group (i.e., individuals with access to rivals' prior information) and the control group (i.e., competitors with no access to prior information). The number of intruders was greater in the eavesdropping group compared to the control group. This effect depended on the interaction between the size of the territory owners and the presence of eavesdropping. The number of intruders decreased with increase in the size of the owners in the presence of eavesdropping, but this relationship did not occur in the control group. We discuss the implications of our findings for the male decision-making process to initiate agonistic disputes and how investigating eavesdropping behavior can improve current models of conflict resolution in animals.
Collapse
|
4
|
Suárez‐Tovar CM, Guillermo‐Ferreira R, Cooper IA, Cezário RR, Córdoba‐Aguilar A. Dragon colors: the nature and function of Odonata (dragonfly and damselfly) coloration. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. M. Suárez‐Tovar
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva Instituto de Ecología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México México
| | - R. Guillermo‐Ferreira
- Lestes Lab Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro Uberaba Brazil
- Graduate program in Entomology University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto Brazil
| | - I. A. Cooper
- Biology Department James Madison University Harrisonburg VA USA
| | - R. R. Cezário
- Lestes Lab Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro Uberaba Brazil
- Graduate program in Entomology University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto Brazil
| | - A. Córdoba‐Aguilar
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva Instituto de Ecología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México México
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ontogenetic colour change of a sexual ornament in males of a damselfly: female mimicry, crypsis or both? Naturwissenschaften 2021; 109:2. [PMID: 34874492 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-021-01775-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Female mimicry by males is a widespread phenomenon in several taxa and may be involved in aggression avoidance or facilitated access to resources. In early developmental stages, female mimicry may be a mechanism involved in signalling sexual immaturity or, when coupled with strategies related to visual camouflage, may be involved in the avoidance of male-male agonistic interactions. Here, we addressed whether the delayed colour maturation of a sexual ornament in males of Mnesarete pudica damselflies might be a case of crypsis, female mimicry or both. We analysed how conspecifics and predators perceive the pigmented wings of juvenile males by contrasting the wing spectra against a savannah background and the wings of both juvenile and sexually mature males and females. Our results based on the modelled visual system of conspecifics and predators suggest that the colour maturation of juvenile males may function as both crypsis and female mimicry. We discuss whether these results related to age- and sexual-dichromatism might be a mechanism to avoid unwanted intraspecific interactions or to avoid territorial and aggressive males. We conclude that the female mimicry and crypsis in juvenile males of M. pudica are mechanisms involved in avoidance of predators and unwanted intraspecific interactions, and the signalling of sexual maturity.
Collapse
|
6
|
Batucan LS, Hsu YH, Maliszewski JW, Wang LJ, Lin CP. Novel wing display and divergent agonistic behaviors of two incipient Psolodesmus damselflies. Naturwissenschaften 2021; 108:49. [PMID: 34601627 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-021-01758-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Sexual selection via male competition is a strong evolutionary force that can drive rapid changes in competitive traits and subsequently lead to population divergence and speciation. Territorial males of many odonates are known to use their colorful wings as visual signals and to perform agonistic displays toward intruders. Psolodesmus mandarinus dorothea and Psolodesmus mandarinus mandarinus are two parapatrically distributed sister damselflies that share similar ecological characteristics but differ markedly in wing coloration. The wings of P. m. dorothea are mostly clear, whereas those of P. m. mandarinus have a large area of black pigmentation and a central white patch. We investigated whether territorial males of the two damselflies at breeding sites display distinct agonistic behaviors associated with their respective wing colors. Behavioral interactions between territorial and intruder males and their wing kinematics were filmed and analyzed for P. m. dorothea in Lienhuachih of central Taiwan, and P. m. mandarinus in Tianxiyuan and Fusan of northern Taiwan. We observed that the P. m. mandarinus males exhibited a novel set of perched wing displays, which was not only absent in its sister P. m. dorothea but also previously unknown in Odonata. At breeding sites, perched rival males of P. m. mandarinus with pigmented wings exhibited escalating agonistic wing-flapping and wing-hitting displays toward each other. In contrast, territorial males of P. m. dorothea with clear wings engaged only in aerial chase or face-to-face hovering when intruder males approached from the air. These results indicate that the two sister P. mandarinus damselflies diverged behaviorally in territorial contests and support the hypothesis of coadaptation on the basis of wing colors and types of wing movement in Odonata. Our findings further suggest that divergent agonistic wing displays may play a pivotal role in the speciation mechanism of P. mandarinus damselflies. The sequential analyses of behavioral characteristics and progression suggest that P. m. mandarinus damselflies likely use mutual assessment of rivals in territorial contests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leocris S Batucan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Section 4, Tingzhou Road, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsun Hsu
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Section 4, Tingzhou Road, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Jak W Maliszewski
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Jong Wang
- Division of Forest Protection, Taiwan Forestry Research Institution, Taipei, 10066, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Ping Lin
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 88, Section 4, Tingzhou Road, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan.
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Galicia-Mendoza DI, Sanmartín-Villar I, García-Miranda Ó, Cordero-Rivera A. Territorial damselflies are larger and show negative allometry in their genitalia. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The ‘functional allometry’ hypothesis proposes that the variation in allometric patterns of sexually selected traits is related to their function. We hypothesize that the allometric patterns for genitalia of aggressively territorial organisms are different from those in non-territorial organisms and predict that in aggressively territorial species, where body size is related directly to reproductive success, males must allocate more resources to body size than to genitalia. We studied 59 species of damselflies in 51 genera. Species were divided into three categories: highly territorial and aggressive; low aggressive; and not aggressive. We measured the length of the genital ligula, the width at the basis and its maximum width, and we used body length and wing length as descriptors of body size. The slope of allometric relationships was estimated using ordinary least squares and reduced major axis regressions. Our results indicated first, that territorial damselflies are larger and that body length and wing length are not equivalent as estimators of body size in odonates. Second, ordinary least squares and reduced major axis regressions provided different results in some of the analyses. Third, we found that aggressive species have less steep allometric slopes than non-aggressive species, both for the length of the ligula and for the width at its basis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Ivette Galicia-Mendoza
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Conservation Ecology, Universidade de Vigo, E.E. Forestal, Campus A Xunqueira, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Iago Sanmartín-Villar
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Conservation Ecology, Universidade de Vigo, E.E. Forestal, Campus A Xunqueira, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Óscar García-Miranda
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Conservation Ecology, Universidade de Vigo, E.E. Forestal, Campus A Xunqueira, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Adolfo Cordero-Rivera
- Laboratory of Evolutionary and Conservation Ecology, Universidade de Vigo, E.E. Forestal, Campus A Xunqueira, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
de Resende BO, Ferreira VRS, Brasil LS, Calvão LB, Mendes TP, de Carvalho FG, Mendoza-Penagos CC, Bastos RC, Brito JS, Oliveira-Junior JMB, Dias-Silva K, Luiza-Andrade A, Guillermo R, Cordero-Rivera A, Juen L. Impact of environmental changes on the behavioral diversity of the Odonata (Insecta) in the Amazon. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9742. [PMID: 33963209 PMCID: PMC8105400 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88999-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The odonates are insects that have a wide range of reproductive, ritualized territorial, and aggressive behaviors. Changes in behavior are the first response of most odonate species to environmental alterations. In this context, the primary objective of the present study was to assess the effects of environmental alterations resulting from shifts in land use on different aspects of the behavioral diversity of adult odonates. Fieldwork was conducted at 92 low-order streams in two different regions of the Brazilian Amazon. To address our main objective, we measured 29 abiotic variables at each stream, together with five morphological and five behavioral traits of the resident odonates. The results indicate a loss of behaviors at sites impacted by anthropogenic changes, as well as variation in some morphological/behavioral traits under specific environmental conditions. We highlight the importance of considering behavioral traits in the development of conservation strategies, given that species with a unique behavioral repertoire may suffer specific types of extinction pressure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bethânia O. de Resende
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil ,Graduate Program in Ecology-PPGECO, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Victor Rennan S. Ferreira
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil ,Graduate Program in Ecology-PPGECO, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Leandro S. Brasil
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Lenize B. Calvão
- Graduate Program in Ecology-PPGECO, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil ,Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences-PPGCA, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá, Amapá Brazil
| | - Thiago P. Mendes
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil ,Graduate Program in Agriculture and the Environment-PPGAA, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Balsas, Maranhão Brazil
| | - Fernando G. de Carvalho
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil ,Graduate Program in Ecology-PPGECO, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Cristian C. Mendoza-Penagos
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Rafael C. Bastos
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil ,Graduate Program in Ecology-PPGECO, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Joás S. Brito
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil ,Graduate Program in Ecology-PPGECO, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - José Max B. Oliveira-Junior
- Graduate Program in Ecology-PPGECO, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil ,Instituto de Ciências e Tecnologia das Águas (ICTA), Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará (UFOPA), Rua Vera Paz, s/n (Unidade Tapajós) Bairro Salé, Santarém, Pará 68040-255 Brazil
| | - Karina Dias-Silva
- Graduate Program in Ecology-PPGECO, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Ana Luiza-Andrade
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | - Adolfo Cordero-Rivera
- Universidade de Vigo, ECOEVO Lab, EE Forestal, Campus Universitario A Xunqueira, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Leandro Juen
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil ,Graduate Program in Ecology-PPGECO, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pena-Firme P, Guillermo-Ferreira R. Females of the red damselfly Mnesarete pudica are attracted to more ornamented males and attract rival males. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14320. [PMID: 32868843 PMCID: PMC7458925 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71057-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Male calopterygid damselflies often exhibit colourful wings used during aggressive contests and courtship displays. Evidence suggests that male wing coloration is a secondary sexual character assessed by males and females to identify male quality. In some species, males adopt a lekking strategy, where females visit exhibition arenas and choose the best mate. Here, we addressed whether the behaviour of Mnesarete pudica males is influenced by female visitation when gathering in leks. We hypothesized that female visitation would increase male investment in courtship and fighting, while reducing patrolling flights and harassment attempts. Moreover, we tested the hypothesis that more ornamented males attract more females to the territory, following the hotshot model of lek evolution. Our results suggest that, indeed, males with more pigmented wings attract more visiting females, independently of male size. Our results also show that the number of females in a territory attracts more males and elicits male contest behaviour, reducing male harassment. We conclude that male ornament and male clustering is a good predictor of female visitation rates, suggesting that females may exert mate choice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Pena-Firme
- LESTES Lab, Hydrobiology Department, Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Schneeberger K, Taborsky M. The role of sensory ecology and cognition in social decisions: Costs of acquiring information matter. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karin Schneeberger
- Behavioural Ecology Division Institute for Ecology and Evolution University of Bern Hinterkappelen/Bern Switzerland
| | - Michael Taborsky
- Behavioural Ecology Division Institute for Ecology and Evolution University of Bern Hinterkappelen/Bern Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Guillermo-Ferreira R, Bispo PC, Appel E, Kovalev A, Gorb SN. Structural coloration predicts the outcome of male contests in the Amazonian damselfly Chalcopteryx scintillans (Odonata: Polythoridae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2019; 53:100884. [PMID: 31669831 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2019.100884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Iridescence is an optical effect that produces angle dependent coloration in animals. Recently, studies have attempted to unveil structures behind such elaborated visual signals and associated behaviors in Odonata. Here, we studied males of the Amazonian damselfly Chalcopteryx scintillans, which have hindwings that exhibit pronounced iridescence. This optical feature is used by the damselflies for intra-specific communication during territorial fights and courtship. The main question we addressed was whether male wing structural coloration may predict the outcome of male-male contests. We also studied the wing ultrastructure, in order to reveal the mechanisms that are responsible for wing coloration. Using various microscopal and spectroscopal techniques, we demonstrate that hindwing coloration is derived from two main effects: (1) light interference in the cuticle multilayer and (2) a specific angle dependent light scattering and antireflective properties of the epicuticular wax coverage. The results of our field experiment show that wing pigmentation and the hue of the dorsal surface of the hindwings is correlated with the outcome of territorial contests. This is one of the first studies showing that structural coloration derived from multilayer interference may influence the outcome of intrasexual agonistic interactions. This indicates that multicomponent structural coloration in visually guided insects may be under selective forces of male-male competition for resources and females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rhainer Guillermo-Ferreira
- Department of Hydrobiology, Federal University of São Carlos - UFSCar, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil; Biology Department, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Biological Sciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Assis, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24098, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Pitágoras C Bispo
- Department of Biological Sciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Assis, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Esther Appel
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexander Kovalev
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24098, Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
What do we need to know to recognize a contest? Naturwissenschaften 2019; 106:32. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-019-1632-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
13
|
Pinto NS, Palaoro AV, Peixoto PEC. All by myself? Meta‐analysis of animal contests shows stronger support for self than for mutual assessment models. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1430-1442. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nelson S. Pinto
- Graduate Program in EcologyUniversidade Federal da Bahia Salvador BA 40110‐909 Brazil
| | - Alexandre V. Palaoro
- LAGE do Departamento de EcologiaUniversidade de São Paulo São Paulo SP 05508‐090 Brazil
| | - Paulo E. C. Peixoto
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Biologia GeralUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte MG 31270‐901 Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Engel A, Feigel A. Single equalizer strategy with no information transfer for conflict escalation. Phys Rev E 2018; 98:012415. [PMID: 30110774 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.98.012415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In an iterated two-person game, for instance prisoner's dilemma or the snowdrift game, there exist strategies that force the payoffs of the opponents to be equal. These equalizer strategies form a subset of the more general zero-determinant strategies that unilaterally set the payoff of an opponent. A challenge in the attempts to understand the role of these strategies in the evolution of animal behavior is the lack of iterations in the fights for mating opportunities or territory control. We show that an arbitrary two-parameter strategy may possess a corresponding equalizer strategy which produces the same result: statistics of the fight outcomes in the contests with competitors are the same for each of these two strategies. Therefore, analyzing only the equalizer strategy space may be sufficient to predict animal behavior if nature, indeed, reduces (marginalizes) complex strategies to equalizer strategy space. The work's main finding is that there is a unique equalizer strategy that predicts fight outcomes without symmetric cooperation responses. The lack of symmetric cooperation responses is a common trait in conflict escalation contests that generally require a clear winner. In addition, this unique strategy does not assess information of the opponent's state. The method bypasses the standard analysis of evolutionary stability. The results fit well the observations of combat between male bowl and doily spiders and support an empirical assumption of the war of attrition model that the species use only information regarding their own state during conflict escalation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Engel
- Physics Department, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 5290002 Israel
| | - A Feigel
- Racah Institute of Physics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401 Israel
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ferreira CPS, Cerqueira LP, Uezu A, Oliveira EJF, Peixoto PEC. Territory Availability at Different Spatial Scales does not Affect Fighting Investment in Males of the Lycaenid Butterfly Strymon mulucha. Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cibele P. S. Ferreira
- Programa de pós-graduação em Zoologia; Sala 06, 1° andar - Prédio LABIO; Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Feira de Santana BA Brazil
- Laboratório de Entomologia; Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Novo Horizonte Feira de Santana BA Brazil
| | - Luana P. Cerqueira
- Programa de pós-graduação em Zoologia; Sala 06, 1° andar - Prédio LABIO; Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Feira de Santana BA Brazil
- Laboratório de Entomologia; Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Novo Horizonte Feira de Santana BA Brazil
| | - Alexandre Uezu
- Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas; Nazaré Paulista SP Brazil
| | - Eddy J. F. Oliveira
- Laboratório de Entomologia; Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Novo Horizonte Feira de Santana BA Brazil
| | - Paulo E. C. Peixoto
- Laboratório de Entomologia; Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Novo Horizonte Feira de Santana BA Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Moore MP, Martin RA. Intrasexual selection favours an immune-correlated colour ornament in a dragonfly. J Evol Biol 2016; 29:2256-2265. [PMID: 27467980 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Sexual signalling is predicted to shape the evolution of sex-specific ornamentation, and establishing the costs and benefits of ornamentation and the information that ornamentation provides to receivers is necessary to evaluating this adaptive function. Here, we assessed the adaptive function of a common colour ornament in insects, melanin wing ornamentation, using the dragonfly Pachydiplax longipennis. We hypothesized that greater ornamentation would improve territory-holding success by decreasing aggression that males receive from territorial rivals, but that more ornamented males may have shorter lifespans. Using mark-recapture field observations, we found that more ornamented males had greater territory-holding success and that viability selection did not act on wing melanization. We then compared the aggression of territorial rivals to decoy males before and after experimentally augmenting wing melanization, finding that males significantly reduced aggression following the manipulation. We next hypothesized that wing melanization would signal fighting ability to territorial rivals by reflecting condition via investment in the costly melanin synthesis pathway. We observed a positive relationship between ornamentation and the likelihood of winning territorial disputes, suggesting that wing melanization provides information about fighting ability to rivals. We also found a positive relationship between melanin-based immune defence and ornamentation, supporting a link between the signal and condition. We conclude that wing melanization is a condition-related signal of fighting ability and suggest that this may be a common mechanism promoting the evolution of melanin ornamentation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M P Moore
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - R A Martin
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Costa JR, Dalosto MM, Palaoro AV, Santos S. Contest Duration and Dynamics are Affected by Body Size in a Potentially Subsocial Crayfish (Crustacea: Decapoda). Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana R. Costa
- Núcleo de Estudos em Biodiversidade Aquática; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas; Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; Santa Maria Brazil
| | - Marcelo M. Dalosto
- Núcleo de Estudos em Biodiversidade Aquática; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas; Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; Santa Maria Brazil
| | - Alexandre V. Palaoro
- Núcleo de Estudos em Biodiversidade Aquática; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas; Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; Santa Maria Brazil
| | - Sandro Santos
- Núcleo de Estudos em Biodiversidade Aquática; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas; Universidade Federal de Santa Maria; Santa Maria Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Guillermo-Ferreira R, Bispo PC, Appel E, Kovalev A, Gorb SN. Mechanism of the wing colouration in the dragonfly Zenithoptera lanei (Odonata: Libellulidae) and its role in intraspecific communication. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 81:129-36. [PMID: 26188874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2015.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Revised: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Zenithoptera dragonflies are known for their remarkable bluish colouration on their wings and unique male behaviour of folding and unfolding their wings while perching. However, nothing is known about the optical properties of such colouration and its structural and functional background. In this paper, we aimed to study the relationship between the wing membrane ultrastructure, surface microstructure and colour spectra of male wings in Zenithoptera lanei and test the hypothesis that colouration functions as a signal in territorial fights between males. The results show that the specific wing colouration derives from interference in alternating layers of melanized and unmelanized cuticle in the wing membrane, combined with diffuse scattering in two different layers of wax crystals on the dorsal wing surface, one lower layer of long filaments, and one upper layer of leaf-shaped crystals. The results also show that the thicker wax coverage of the dorsal surface of the wings results in increased brightness and reduced chroma. In the field experiments, we have demonstrated that there is a reduction of aggressive reactions of rivals towards individuals with experimentally reduced amount of blue wing colouration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rhainer Guillermo-Ferreira
- Department of Hydrobiology, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Biological Sciences, São Paulo State University, Av. Dom Antônio 2100, Assis, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24098 Kiel, Germany.
| | - Pitágoras C Bispo
- Department of Biological Sciences, São Paulo State University, Av. Dom Antônio 2100, Assis, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Esther Appel
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexander Kovalev
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24098 Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|