1
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Potdar S, Dinakar M, Westerman EL. Behavioural changes in aposematic Heliconius melpomene butterflies in response to their predatory bird calls. Behav Processes 2024; 220:105071. [PMID: 38908610 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.105071] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Prey-predator interactions have resulted in the evolution of many anti-predatory traits. One of them is the ability for prey to listen to predators and avoid them. Although prey anti-predatory behavioural responses to predator auditory cues are well described in a wide range of taxa, studies on whether butterflies change their behaviours in response to their predatory calls are lacking. Heliconius butterflies are unpalatable and form Müllerian mimicry rings as morphological defence strategies against their avian predators. Like many other butterflies in the Nymphalidae family, some Heliconius butterflies possess auditory organs, which are hypothesized to assist with predator detection. Here we test whether Heliconius melpomene change their behaviour in response to their predatory bird calls by observing the behaviour of male and female H. m. plessini exposed to calls of Heliconius avian predators: rufous-tailed jacamar, migratory Eastern kingbird, and resident tropical kingbird. We also exposed them to the calls of the toco toucan, a frugivorous bird as a control bird call, and an amplified greenhouse background noise as a noise control. We found that individuals changed their behaviour in response to jacamar calls only. Males increased their walking and fluttering behaviour, while females did not change their behaviour during the playback of the jacamar call. Intersexual behaviours like courtship, copulation, and abdomen lifting did not change in response to bird calls. Our findings suggest that despite having primary predatory defences like toxicity and being in a mimicry ring, H. m. plessini butterflies changed their behaviour in response to predator calls. Furthermore, this response was predator specific, as H. m. plesseni did not respond to either the Eastern kingbird or the tropical kingbird calls. This suggests that Heliconius butterflies may be able to differentiate predatory calls, and potentially the birds associated with those calls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushant Potdar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
| | | | - Erica L Westerman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
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2
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Corral‐Lopez A, Varg JE, Cano‐Cobos YP, Losada R, Realpe E, Outomuro D. Field evidence for colour mimicry overshadowing morphological mimicry. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:698-709. [PMID: 33300609 PMCID: PMC7986869 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Imperfect mimicry may be maintained when the various components of an aposematic signal have different salience for predators. Experimental laboratory studies provide robust evidence for this phenomenon. Yet, evidence from natural settings remains scarce. We studied how natural bird predators assess multiple features in a multicomponent aposematic signal in the Neotropical 'clear wing complex' mimicry ring, dominated by glasswing butterflies. We evaluated two components of the aposematic signal, wing colouration and wing morphology, in a predation experiment based on artificial replicas of glasswing butterflies (model) and Polythoridae damselflies (mimics) in their natural habitat. We also studied the extent of the colour aposematic signal in the local insect community. Finally, we inspected the nanostructures responsible for this convergent colour signal, expected to highly differ between these phylogenetically distinct species. Our results provide direct evidence for a stronger salience of wing colouration than wing morphology, as well as stronger selection on imperfect than in perfect colour mimics. Additionally, investigations of how birds perceive wing colouration of the local insect community provides further evidence that a UV-reflective white colouration is being selected as the colour aposematic signal of the mimicry ring. Using electron microscopy, we also suggest that damselflies have convergently evolved the warning colouration through a pre-adaptation. These findings provide a solid complement to previous experimental evidence suggesting a key influence of the cognitive assessment of predators driving the evolution of aposematic signals and mimicry rings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Corral‐Lopez
- Department of Ethology/ZoologyStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research CentreUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Javier Edo Varg
- Section for Animal EcologyDepartment of Ecology and GeneticsEvolutionary Biology CentreUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Yiselle P. Cano‐Cobos
- Laboratorio de Zoología y Ecología AcuáticaDepartamento de Ciencias BiológicasUniversidad de los AndesBogotáColombia
| | - Rafael Losada
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT)Departamento de Ciencias BiológicasUniversidad de los AndesBogotáColombia
| | - Emilio Realpe
- Laboratorio de Zoología y Ecología AcuáticaDepartamento de Ciencias BiológicasUniversidad de los AndesBogotáColombia
| | - David Outomuro
- Section for Animal EcologyDepartment of Ecology and GeneticsEvolutionary Biology CentreUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
- Present address:
Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of CincinnatiRieveschl HallCincinnatiOH45221USA
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3
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Morris J, Darolti I, van der Bijl W, Mank JE. High-resolution characterization of male ornamentation and re-evaluation of sex linkage in guppies. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201677. [PMID: 33081622 PMCID: PMC7661287 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Coloration plays a key role in the ecology of many species, influencing how an organism interacts with its environment, other species and conspecifics. Guppies are sexually dimorphic, with males displaying sexually selected coloration resulting from female preference. Previous work has suggested that much of guppy colour pattern variation is Y-linked. However, it remains unclear how many individual colour patterns are Y-linked in natural populations as much of the previous work has focused on phenotypes either not found in the wild, or aggregate measures such as total colour area. Moreover, ornaments have traditionally been identified and delineated by hand, and computational methods now make it possible to extract pixels and identify ornaments with automated methods, reducing the potential for human bias. Here we developed a pipeline for semi-automated ornament identification and high-resolution image analysis of male guppy colour patterns and applied it to a multigenerational pedigree. Our results show that loci controlling the presence or the absence of individual male ornaments in our population are not predominantly Y-linked. However, we find that ornaments of similar colour are not independent of each other, and modifier loci that affect whole animal coloration appear to be at least partially Y-linked. Considering these results, Y-linkage of individual ornaments may not be important in driving colour changes in natural populations of guppies, or in expansions of the non-recombining Y region, while Y-linked modifier loci that affect aggregate traits may well play an important role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Morris
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Iulia Darolti
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Wouter van der Bijl
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Judith E. Mank
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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4
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Mettke-Hofmann C, Eccles GR, Greggor AL, Bethell EJ. Cognition in a Changing World: Red-Headed Gouldian Finches Enter Spatially Unfamiliar Habitats More Readily Than Do Black-Headed Birds. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.498347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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5
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O’Reilly AO, Hofmann G, Mettke-Hofmann C. Gouldian finches are followers with black-headed females taking the lead. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214531. [PMID: 30943239 PMCID: PMC6447166 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Colour polymorphism is a widespread phenomenon and often encompasses different behavioural traits and strategies. More recently, it has been shown that morphs can also signal consistent individual differences (personality). An example are Gouldian finches that show discrete head colour morphs in the same population with red-headed birds being more aggressive but less risk-taking and explorative than black-headed birds in the lab. The current study aimed to investigate the link between head colour and behavioural traits in a naturally risky situation in the wild by recording the order of descent at waterholes in relation to hypotheses considering conspicuousness, dominance relationships and experience. Other bird species at the waterholes were also included in the study. Adult Gouldian finches generally preceded juveniles and among the adults the least conspicuous black-headed females descended first to the waterhole. Overall, females descended before the males though this pattern disappeared later in the season likely due to family groups breaking up and releasing males from attending to the juveniles. Finally, Gouldian finches almost always followed other species, particularly Long-tailed finches, to the ground rather than taking the lead. A two-level process of decision-making seems to explain the responses best: on the first level, experience separates adults from juveniles with adults preceding juveniles and on the second level, conspicuousness acts as a factor among the adults with the least conspicuous category taking the lead. Future studies should directly test the link between head colour and personality in the wild, look more into seasonal effects and investigate whether Gouldian finches use Long-tailed finches as an indicator of safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrias O. O’Reilly
- School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, James Parsons building, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Claudia Mettke-Hofmann
- School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, James Parsons building, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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6
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Seymoure BM, Raymundo A, McGraw KJ, Owen McMillan W, Rutowski RL. Environment-dependent attack rates of cryptic and aposematic butterflies. Curr Zool 2018; 64:663-669. [PMID: 30323845 PMCID: PMC6178784 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zox062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Many organisms have evolved adaptive coloration that reduces their risk of predation. Cryptic coloration reduces the likelihood of detection/recognition by potential predators, while warning or aposematic coloration advertises unprofitability and thereby reduces the likelihood of attack. Although some studies show that aposematic coloration functions better at decreasing attack rate than crypsis, recent work has suggested and demonstrated that crypsis and aposematism are both successful strategies for avoiding predation. Furthermore, the visual environment (e.g., ambient lighting, background) affects the ability for predators to detect prey. We investigated these 2 related hypotheses using 2 well-known visually aposematic species of Heliconius butterflies, which occupy different habitats (open-canopy vs. closed-canopy), and one palatable, cryptic, generalist species Junonia coenia. We tested if the differently colored butterflies differ in attack rates by placing plasticine models of each of the 3 species in 2 different tropical habitats where the butterflies naturally occur: disturbed, open-canopy habitat and forested, closed-canopy habitat. The cryptic model had fewer attacks than one of the aposematic models. Predation rates differed between the 2 habitats, with the open habitat having much higher predation. However, we did not find an interaction between species and habitat type, which is perplexing due to the different aposematic phenotypes naturally occurring in different habitats. Our findings suggest that during the Panamanian dry season avian predation on perched butterflies is not a leading cause in habitat segregation between the 2 aposematic species and demonstrate that cryptically colored animals at rest may be better than aposematic prey at avoiding avian attacks in certain environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Seymoure
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Andrew Raymundo
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Kevin J McGraw
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - W Owen McMillan
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
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7
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Willmott KR, Robinson Willmott JC, Elias M, Jiggins CD. Maintaining mimicry diversity: optimal warning colour patterns differ among microhabitats in Amazonian clearwing butterflies. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:20170744. [PMID: 28539522 PMCID: PMC5454276 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mimicry is one of the best-studied examples of adaptation, and recent studies have provided new insights into the role of mimicry in speciation and diversification. Classical Müllerian mimicry theory predicts convergence in warning signal among protected species, yet tropical butterflies are exuberantly diverse in warning colour patterns, even within communities. We tested the hypothesis that microhabitat partitioning in aposematic butterflies and insectivorous birds can lead to selection for different colour patterns in different microhabitats and thus help maintain mimicry diversity. We measured distribution across flight height and topography for 64 species of clearwing butterflies (Ithomiini) and their co-mimics, and 127 species of insectivorous birds, in an Amazon rainforest community. For the majority of bird species, estimated encounter rates were non-random for the two most abundant mimicry rings. Furthermore, most butterfly species in these two mimicry rings displayed the warning colour pattern predicted to be optimal for anti-predator defence in their preferred microhabitats. These conclusions were supported by a field trial using butterfly specimens, which showed significantly different predation rates on colour patterns in two microhabitats. We therefore provide the first direct evidence to support the hypothesis that different mimicry patterns can represent stable, community-level adaptations to differing biotic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith R Willmott
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | | | - Marianne Elias
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité, ISYEB-UMR 7205-CNRS, MNHN, UPMC, EPHE, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Universités, 57 rue Cuvier, CP50, Paris 75005, France
| | - Chris D Jiggins
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
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8
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Arias M, le Poul Y, Chouteau M, Boisseau R, Rosser N, Théry M, Llaurens V. Crossing fitness valleys: empirical estimation of a fitness landscape associated with polymorphic mimicry. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 283:rspb.2016.0391. [PMID: 27122560 PMCID: PMC4855388 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.0391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterizing fitness landscapes associated with polymorphic adaptive traits enables investigation of mechanisms allowing transitions between fitness peaks. Here, we explore how natural selection can promote genetic mechanisms preventing heterozygous phenotypes from falling into non-adaptive valleys. Polymorphic mimicry is an ideal system to investigate such fitness landscapes, because the direction of selection acting on complex mimetic colour patterns can be predicted by the local mimetic community composition. Using more than 5000 artificial butterflies displaying colour patterns exhibited by the polymorphic Müllerian mimic Heliconius numata, we directly tested the role of wild predators in shaping fitness landscapes. We compared predation rates on mimetic phenotypes (homozygotes at the supergene controlling colour pattern), intermediate phenotypes (heterozygotes), exotic morphs (absent from the local community) and palatable cryptic phenotypes. Exotic morphs were significantly more attacked than local morphs, highlighting predators' discriminatory capacities. Overall, intermediates were attacked twice as much as local homozygotes, suggesting the existence of deep fitness valleys promoting strict dominance and reduced recombination between supergene alleles. By including information on predators' colour perception, we also showed that protection on intermediates strongly depends on their phenotypic similarity to homozygous phenotypes and that ridges exist between similar phenotypes, which may facilitate divergence in colour patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Arias
- Institut Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité, UMR 7205 MNHN-CNRS-EPHE-UPMC- Sorbonne universités, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Bâtiment d'entomologie, CP050, 57, rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France UMR CNRS 7179, CNRS-MNHN MECADEV, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 1, avenue du petit château, 91800 Brunoy, France
| | - Yann le Poul
- Institut Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité, UMR 7205 MNHN-CNRS-EPHE-UPMC- Sorbonne universités, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Bâtiment d'entomologie, CP050, 57, rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Chouteau
- Institut Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité, UMR 7205 MNHN-CNRS-EPHE-UPMC- Sorbonne universités, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Bâtiment d'entomologie, CP050, 57, rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Romain Boisseau
- Institut Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité, UMR 7205 MNHN-CNRS-EPHE-UPMC- Sorbonne universités, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Bâtiment d'entomologie, CP050, 57, rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France Département de Biologie, Ecole Normale supérieure, 75 005 Paris, France
| | - Neil Rosser
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Marc Théry
- UMR CNRS 7179, CNRS-MNHN MECADEV, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 1, avenue du petit château, 91800 Brunoy, France
| | - Violaine Llaurens
- Institut Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité, UMR 7205 MNHN-CNRS-EPHE-UPMC- Sorbonne universités, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Bâtiment d'entomologie, CP050, 57, rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
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9
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Finkbeiner SD, Briscoe AD, Mullen SP. Complex dynamics underlie the evolution of imperfect wing pattern convergence in butterflies. Evolution 2017; 71:949-959. [PMID: 28052323 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Adaptive radiation is characterized by rapid diversification that is strongly associated with ecological specialization. However, understanding the evolutionary mechanisms fueling adaptive diversification requires a detailed knowledge of how natural selection acts at multiple life-history stages. Butterflies within the genus Adelpha represent one of the largest and most diverse butterfly lineages in the Neotropics. Although Adelpha species feed on an extraordinary diversity of larval hosts, convergent evolution is widespread in this group, suggesting that selection for mimicry may contribute to adaptive divergence among species. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted predation studies in Costa Rica using artificial butterfly facsimiles. Specifically, we predicted that nontoxic, palatable Adelpha species that do not feed on host plants in the family Rubiaceae would benefit from sharing a locally convergent wing pattern with the presumably toxic Rubiaceae-feeding species via reduced predation. Contrary to expectations, we found that the presumed mimic was attacked significantly more than its locally convergent model at a frequency paralleling attack rates on both novel and palatable prey. Although these data reveal the first evidence for protection from avian predators by the supposed toxic, Rubiaceae-feeding Adelpha species, we conclude that imprecise mimetic patterns have high costs for Batesian mimics in the tropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan D Finkbeiner
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215
| | - Adriana D Briscoe
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, 92697
| | - Sean P Mullen
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215
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10
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Nilsson ALK, Nilsson JÅ, Mettke-Hofmann C. Energy Reserves, Information Need and a Pinch of Personality Determine Decision-Making on Route in Partially Migratory Blue Tits. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163213. [PMID: 27732602 PMCID: PMC5061368 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In facultative partial migrants some individuals in a population are migratory and others are resident and individuals decide each year anew which strategy to choose. While the proportion of birds migrating is in part determined by environmental conditions and competitive abilities, the timing of individual departure and behaviours on route are little understood. Individuals encounter different environmental conditions when migrating earlier or later. Based on cost/ benefit considerations we tested whether behaviours on route were affected by time constraints, personality and/or age in a partially migrating population of Blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). We captured female Blue tits on migration at the Southern tip of Sweden during early, peak and late migration and measured latency to feed in an unfamiliar environment, exploration of a novel object and hesitation to feed beside a novel object (neophobia). Lean birds and birds with long wings started feeding earlier when released into the cage indicating that foraging decisions were mainly determined by energetic needs (lean and large birds). However, juveniles commenced feeding later with progression of the migratory season in concordance with predictions about personality effects. Furthermore, lean birds started to explore earlier than birds with larger fat reserves again indicating an effect of maintaining threshold energy reserves. Moreover, late migrating juveniles, started to explore earlier than early migrating juveniles possibly due to time constraints to find high-quality foraging patches or a suitable winter home. Finally, neophobia did not change over the migratory season indicating that this behaviour is not compromised by time constraints. The results overall indicate that decisions on route are mainly governed by energetic requirements and current needs to learn about the environment and only to a small extent by differences in personality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. K. Nilsson
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Jan-Åke Nilsson
- Department of Biology, Unit of Evolutionary Ecology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Claudia Mettke-Hofmann
- School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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11
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Pan AD, Williams KA, Wilson JS. Are diurnal iguanian lizards the evolutionary drivers of New World female velvet ant (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) Müllerian mimicry rings? Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron D. Pan
- Don Harrington Discovery Center; 1200 Streit Drive Amarillo TX 79106 USA
| | - Kevin A. Williams
- Plant Pest Diagnostics Branch; California Department of Food & Agriculture; 3294 meadowview road Sacramento CA 95832 USA
| | - Joseph S. Wilson
- Department of Biology; Utah State University; 1021 West Vine Street Tooele UT 84074 USA
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12
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Outomuro D, Ángel-Giraldo P, Corral-Lopez A, Realpe E. Multitrait aposematic signal in Batesian mimicry. Evolution 2016; 70:1596-608. [PMID: 27241010 DOI: 10.1111/evo.12963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Batesian mimics can parasitize Müllerian mimicry rings mimicking the warning color signal. The evolutionary success of Batesian mimics can increase adding complexity to the signal by behavioral and locomotor mimicry. We investigated three fundamental morphological and locomotor traits in a Neotropical mimicry ring based on Ithomiini butterflies and parasitized by Polythoridae damselflies: wing color, wing shape, and flight style. The study species have wings with a subapical white patch, considered the aposematic signal, and a more apical black patch. The main predators are VS-birds, visually more sensitive to violet than to ultraviolet wavelengths (UVS-birds). The white patches, compared to the black patches, were closer in the bird color space, with higher overlap for VS-birds than for UVS-birds. Using a discriminability index for bird vision, the white patches were more similar between the mimics and the model than the black patches. The wing shape of the mimics was closer to the model in the morphospace, compared to other outgroup damselflies. The wing-beat frequency was similar among mimics and the model, and different from another outgroup damselfly. Multitrait aposematic signals involving morphology and locomotion may favor the evolution of mimicry rings and the success of Batesian mimics by improving signal effectiveness toward predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Outomuro
- Laboratorio de Zoología y Ecología Acuática, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia. .,Current address: Section for Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D 75236, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Pedro Ángel-Giraldo
- Laboratorio de Zoología y Ecología Acuática, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Alberto Corral-Lopez
- Department of Ethology/Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18B, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emilio Realpe
- Laboratorio de Zoología y Ecología Acuática, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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13
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Su S, Lim M, Kunte K. Prey from the eyes of predators: Color discriminability of aposematic and mimetic butterflies from an avian visual perspective. Evolution 2015; 69:2985-94. [PMID: 26477885 DOI: 10.1111/evo.12800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2015] [Revised: 09/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Predation exerts strong selection on mimetic butterfly wing color patterns, which also serve other functions such as sexual selection. Therefore, specific selection pressures may affect the sexes and signal components differentially. We tested three predictions about the evolution of mimetic resemblance by comparing wing coloration of aposematic butterflies and their Batesian mimics: (a) females gain greater mimetic advantage than males and therefore are better mimics, (b) due to intersexual genetic correlations, sexually monomorphic mimics are better mimics than female-limited mimics, and (c) mimetic resemblance is better on the dorsal wing surface that is visible to predators in flight. Using a physiological model of avian color vision, we quantified mimetic resemblance from predators' perspective, which showed that female butterflies were better mimics than males. Mimetic resemblance in female-limited mimics was comparable to that in sexually monomorphic mimics, suggesting that intersexual genetic correlations did not constrain adaptive response to selection for female-limited mimicry. Mimetic resemblance on the ventral wing surface was better than that on the dorsal wing surface, implying stronger natural and sexual selection on ventral and dorsal surfaces, respectively. These results suggest that mimetic resemblance in butterfly mimicry rings has evolved under various selective pressures acting in a sex- and wing surface-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Su
- National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India. .,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Matthew Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Krushnamegh Kunte
- National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India.
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Exnerová A, Ježová D, Štys P, Doktorovová L, Rojas B, Mappes J. Different reactions to aposematic prey in 2 geographically distant populations of great tits. Behav Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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Medina I, Wang IJ, Salazar C, Amézquita A. Hybridization promotes color polymorphism in the aposematic harlequin poison frog, Oophaga histrionica. Ecol Evol 2013; 3:4388-400. [PMID: 24340180 PMCID: PMC3856739 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Revised: 08/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether hybridization can be a mechanism that drives phenotypic diversity is a widely debated topic in evolutionary biology. In poison frogs (Dendrobatidae), assortative mating has been invoked to explain how new color morphs persist despite the expected homogenizing effects of natural selection. Here, we tested the complementary hypothesis that new morphs arise through hybridization between different color morphs. Specifically, we (1) reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships among the studied populations of a dart-poison frog to provide an evolutionary framework, (2) tested whether microsatellite allele frequencies of one putative hybrid population of the polymorphic frog O. histrionica are intermediate between O. histrionica and O. lehmanni, and (3) conducted mate-choice experiments to test whether putatively intermediate females prefer homotypic males over males from the other two populations. Our findings are compatible with a hybrid origin for the new morph and emphasize the possibility of hybridization as a mechanism generating variation in polymorphic species. Moreover, because coloration in poison frogs is aposematic and should be heavily constrained, our findings suggest that hybridization can produce phenotypic novelty even in systems where phenotypes are subject to strong stabilizing selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iliana Medina
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de los Andes Bogotá, Colombia ; Department of Ecology, Evolution and Genetics, Australian National University Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Hotová Svádová K, Exnerová A, Kopečková M, Štys P. How Do Predators Learn to Recognize a Mimetic Complex: Experiments with Naive Great Tits and Aposematic Heteroptera. Ethology 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Hotová Svádová
- Department of Zoology; Faculty of Science; Charles University in Prague; Prague; Czech Republic
| | - Alice Exnerová
- Department of Zoology; Faculty of Science; Charles University in Prague; Prague; Czech Republic
| | - Michala Kopečková
- Department of Zoology; Faculty of Science; Charles University in Prague; Prague; Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Štys
- Department of Zoology; Faculty of Science; Charles University in Prague; Prague; Czech Republic
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Ihalainen E, Rowland HM, Speed MP, Ruxton GD, Mappes J. Prey community structure affects how predators select for Mullerian mimicry. Proc Biol Sci 2012; 279:2099-105. [PMID: 22237908 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2011.2360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Müllerian mimicry describes the close resemblance between aposematic prey species; it is thought to be beneficial because sharing a warning signal decreases the mortality caused by sampling by inexperienced predators learning to avoid the signal. It has been hypothesized that selection for mimicry is strongest in multi-species prey communities where predators are more prone to misidentify the prey than in simple communities. In this study, wild great tits (Parus major) foraged from either simple (few prey appearances) or complex (several prey appearances) artificial prey communities where a specific model prey was always present. Owing to slower learning, the model did suffer higher mortality in complex communities when the birds were inexperienced. However, in a subsequent generalization test to potential mimics of the model prey (a continuum of signal accuracy), only birds that had foraged from simple communities selected against inaccurate mimics. Therefore, accurate mimicry is more likely to evolve in simple communities even though predator avoidance learning is slower in complex communities. For mimicry to evolve, prey species must have a common predator; the effective community consists of the predator's diet. In diverse environments, the limited diets of specialist predators could create 'simple community pockets' where accurate mimicry is selected for.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eira Ihalainen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Centre of Excellence in Evolutionary Research, University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä, Finland.
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19
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Brower AVZ. Hybrid speciation in Heliconius butterflies? A review and critique of the evidence. Genetica 2011; 139:589-609. [PMID: 21113790 PMCID: PMC3089819 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-010-9530-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The evidence supporting the recent hypothesis of a homoploid hybrid origin for the butterfly species Heliconius heurippa is evaluated. Data from selective breeding experiments, mate-choice studies, and a wide variety of DNA markers are reviewed, and an alternative hypothesis for the origin of the species and its close relatives is proposed. A scenario of occasional red wing-pattern mutations in peripheral populations of Heliconius cydno with subsequent adaptive convergence towards sympatric mimicry rings involving H. melpomene and H. erato is offered as an alternative to the HHS hypothesis. Recent twists of this tale are addressed in a postscript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew V Z Brower
- Evolution and Ecology Group, Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA.
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Rowland HM, Hoogesteger T, Ruxton GD, Speed MP, Mappes J. A tale of 2 signals: signal mimicry between aposematic species enhances predator avoidance learning. Behav Ecol 2010. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arq071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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21
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Ihalainen E, Lindström L, Mappes J, Puolakkainen S. Can experienced birds select for Müllerian mimicry? Behav Ecol 2008. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arm151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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22
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Ihalainen E, Lindström L, Mappes J. Investigating Müllerian mimicry: predator learning and variation in prey defences. J Evol Biol 2007; 20:780-91. [PMID: 17305843 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2006.01234.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Inexperienced predators are assumed to select for similarity of warning signals in aposematic species (Müllerian mimicry) when learning to avoid them. Recent theoretical work predicts that if co-mimic species have unequal defences, predators attack them according to their average unpalatability and mimicry may not be beneficial for the better defended co-mimic. In this study, we tested in a laboratory environment whether a uniform warning signal is superior to a variable one in promoting predator learning, and simultaneously whether co-mimics are preyed upon according to their average unpalatability. There was an interaction of signal variation and unpalatability but inexperienced birds did not select for signal similarity in artificial prey; when the prey was moderately defended a variable signal was even learnt faster than a uniform one. Due to slow avoidance learning, moderately defended prey had higher mortality than highly defended prey (although this was not straightforward), but mixing high and moderate unpalatability did not increase predation compared with high unpalatability. This does not support the view that predators are sensitive to varying unpalatability. The results suggest that inexperienced predators may neither strongly select for accurate Müllerian mimicry nor affect the benefits of mimicry when the co-mimics are unequally defended.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ihalainen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
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Exnerová A, Štys P, Fučíková E, Veselá S, Svádová K, Prokopová M, Jarošík V, Fuchs R, Landová E. Avoidance of aposematic prey in European tits (Paridae): learned or innate? Behav Ecol 2006. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arl061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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