1
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Murphy MJ, Westerman EL. Evolutionary history limits species' ability to match colour sensitivity to available habitat light. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220612. [PMID: 35582803 PMCID: PMC9115023 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The spectrum of light that an animal sees-from ultraviolet to far red light-is governed by the number and wavelength sensitivity of a family of retinal proteins called opsins. It has been hypothesized that the spectrum of light available in an environment influences the range of colours that a species has evolved to see. However, invertebrates and vertebrates use phylogenetically distinct opsins in their retinae, and it remains unclear whether these distinct opsins influence what animals see, or how they adapt to their light environments. Systematically using published visual sensitivity data from across animal phyla, we found that terrestrial animals are more sensitive to shorter and longer wavelengths of light than aquatic animals and that invertebrates are more sensitive to shorter wavelengths of light than vertebrates. Using phylogenetically controlled analyses, we found that closed and open canopy habitat species have different spectral sensitivities when comparing across the Metazoa and excluding habitat generalists, while deepwater animals are no more sensitive to shorter wavelengths of light than shallow-water animals. Our results suggest that animals do adapt to their light environment; however, the invertebrate-vertebrate evolutionary divergence may limit the degree to which animals can perform visual tuning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Erica L. Westerman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
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2
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Cezário RR, Gorb SN, Guillermo‐Ferreira R. Camouflage by counter‐brightness: the blue wings of Morpho dragonflies
Zenithoptera lanei
(Anisoptera: Libellulidae) match the water background. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. R. Cezário
- Department of Biological Sciences Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro Uberaba Brazil
- Graduate Program in Entomology University of São Paulo (USP) Ribeirão Preto Brazil
| | - S. N. Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics Zoological Institute Kiel University Kiel Germany
| | - R. Guillermo‐Ferreira
- Department of Biological Sciences Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro Uberaba Brazil
- Graduate Program in Entomology University of São Paulo (USP) Ribeirão Preto Brazil
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3
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Pinna CS, Vilbert M, Borensztajn S, Daney de Marcillac W, Piron-Prunier F, Pomerantz A, Patel NH, Berthier S, Andraud C, Gomez D, Elias M. Mimicry can drive convergence in structural and light transmission features of transparent wings in Lepidoptera. eLife 2021; 10:e69080. [PMID: 34930525 PMCID: PMC8691843 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Müllerian mimicry is a positive interspecific interaction, whereby co-occurring defended prey species share a common aposematic signal. In Lepidoptera, aposematic species typically harbour conspicuous opaque wing colour patterns with convergent optical properties among co-mimetic species. Surprisingly, some aposematic mimetic species have partially transparent wings, raising the questions of whether optical properties of transparent patches are also convergent, and of how transparency is achieved. Here, we conducted a comparative study of wing optics, micro and nanostructures in neotropical mimetic clearwing Lepidoptera, using spectrophotometry and microscopy imaging. We show that transparency, as perceived by predators, is convergent among co-mimics in some mimicry rings. Underlying micro- and nanostructures are also sometimes convergent despite a large structural diversity. We reveal that while transparency is primarily produced by microstructure modifications, nanostructures largely influence light transmission, potentially enabling additional fine-tuning in transmission properties. This study shows that transparency might not only enable camouflage but can also be part of aposematic signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charline Sophie Pinna
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), CNRS, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des AntillesParisFrance
| | - Maëlle Vilbert
- Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation (CRC), CNRS, MNHN, Ministère de la CultureParisFrance
| | - Stephan Borensztajn
- Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Université de Paris, CNRSParisFrance
| | | | - Florence Piron-Prunier
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), CNRS, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des AntillesParisFrance
| | - Aaron Pomerantz
- Marine Biological LaboratoryWoods HoleUnited States
- Department Integrative Biology, University of California BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | | | - Serge Berthier
- Institut des NanoSciences de Paris (INSP), Sorbonne Université, CNRSParisFrance
| | - Christine Andraud
- Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation (CRC), CNRS, MNHN, Ministère de la CultureParisFrance
| | - Doris Gomez
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), CNRS, Univ MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Marianne Elias
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), CNRS, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des AntillesParisFrance
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4
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Cezário RR, Lopez VM, Gorb S, Guillermo-Ferreira R. Dynamic iridescent signals of male copperwing damselflies coupled with wing-clapping displays: the perspective of different receivers. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Dynamic signals are a widespread phenomenon in several taxa, usually associated with intraspecific communication. In contrast, dynamic iridescent signals are detectable only at specific angles of illumination; hence, the animal can hide the signal to avoid detection when necessary. This structural coloration is mostly dependent on the illumination, the contrast against the background and the vision of the receiver. Complex behavioural displays can be coupled with structural coloration to create dynamic visual signals that enhance these functions. Here, we address whether iridescence of the males of a damselfly that inhabits dark rainforests, Chalcopteryx scintillans, can be considered a dynamic visual signal. We analyse whether coloration is perceived by conspecifics, while reducing detectability to eavesdroppers against three types of backgrounds. Our results suggest that the visual background affects the detectability of male hindwings by different receivers, mostly predators and prey. We discuss whether these results and the angle dependence of colour could indicate a mechanism to avoid unwanted intraspecific interactions or even to lure both predators and prey. We conclude that the main functions of the dynamic iridescent signal are to communicate with conspecifics while hindering the signal for prey, adding evidence of the multifunctionality of structural coloration coupled with behavioural displays in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Roucourt Cezário
- Laboratory of Ecological Studies on Ethology and Evolution (LESTES Lab), Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Graduate program in Entomology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Marques Lopez
- Laboratory of Ecological Studies on Ethology and Evolution (LESTES Lab), Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Graduate program in Entomology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1–9, D-24098 Kiel, Germany
| | - Rhainer Guillermo-Ferreira
- Laboratory of Ecological Studies on Ethology and Evolution (LESTES Lab), Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Graduate program in Entomology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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5
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Sedano-Cruz RE, Calero-Mejía H. CARACTERIZACIÓN GENÉTICA DE LA POBLACIÓN DE Heliconius sara (Nymphalidae) EN LA ISLA GORGONA, COLOMBIA. ACTA BIOLÓGICA COLOMBIANA 2021. [DOI: 10.15446/abc.v26n3.86205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
La estructura genética de poblaciones de mariposas con distribución en islas y sus pares continentales ha sido poco documentada para el neotrópico. Este estudio presenta la caracterización de una población de Heliconius sara con distribución en la Isla Gorgona, ubicada en la región del Pacífico Oriental Colombiano. Para esto se examinaron secuencias parciales de un marcador mitocondrial incluyendo información obtenida del GenBank. Se comparó la diversidad y estructura genética con sus conespecíficos continentales y también con congéneres, con los que comparte un ancestro común cercano en el clado Sapho-Sara. Para el análisis de diversidad y estructura genética se realizó un análisis molecular de varianza. Este análisis muestra que la distancia entre la población de la isla y sus pares en el continente es consistente con la variación intraespecífica observada en otras especies del género Heliconius. Para la reconstrucción de la genealogía y datación reciente en el Pleistoceno superior del grupo monofilético de secuencias de H. sara, se realizó un análisis de inferencia bayesiana, así como una de máxima verosimilitud. Del análisis demográfico se seleccionó un modelo histórico de flujo asimétrico desde la isla hacia el continente que sugiere baja resistencia de la discontinuidad geográfica a la dispersión de esta mariposa diurna desde la isla. Este es el primer estudio en examinar un posible evento de aislamiento de una población insular de mariposas en Colombia.
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6
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Parnell AJ, Bradford JE, Curran EV, Washington AL, Adams G, Brien MN, Burg SL, Morochz C, Fairclough JPA, Vukusic P, Martin SJ, Doak S, Nadeau NJ. Wing scale ultrastructure underlying convergent and divergent iridescent colours in mimetic Heliconius butterflies. J R Soc Interface 2019; 15:rsif.2017.0948. [PMID: 29669892 PMCID: PMC5938584 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Iridescence is an optical phenomenon whereby colour changes with the illumination and viewing angle. It can be produced by thin film interference or diffraction. Iridescent optical structures are fairly common in nature, but relatively little is known about their production or evolution. Here we describe the structures responsible for producing blue-green iridescent colour in Heliconius butterflies. Overall the wing scale structures of iridescent and non-iridescent Heliconius species are very similar, both having longitudinal ridges joined by cross-ribs. However, iridescent scales have ridges composed of layered lamellae, which act as multilayer reflectors. Differences in brightness between species can be explained by the extent of overlap of the lamellae and their curvature as well as the density of ridges on the scale. Heliconius are well known for their Müllerian mimicry. We find that iridescent structural colour is not closely matched between co-mimetic species. Differences appear less pronounced in models of Heliconius vision than models of avian vision, suggesting that they are not driven by selection to avoid heterospecific courtship by co-mimics. Ridge profiles appear to evolve relatively slowly, being similar between closely related taxa, while ridge density evolves faster and is similar between distantly related co-mimics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Parnell
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK
| | - James E Bradford
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK
| | - Emma V Curran
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Alfred Denny Building, Western bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Adam L Washington
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UK
| | - Gracie Adams
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Alfred Denny Building, Western bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Melanie N Brien
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Alfred Denny Building, Western bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Stephanie L Burg
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK
| | | | | | - Pete Vukusic
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, UK
| | - Simon J Martin
- Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Scott Doak
- Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Nicola J Nadeau
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Alfred Denny Building, Western bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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7
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinus L. de Jager
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology Stellenbosch University Matieland South Africa
| | - Bruce Anderson
- Botany and Zoology Department Stellenbosch University Matieland South Africa
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8
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Seymoure BM, Linares C, White J. Connecting spectral radiometry of anthropogenic light sources to the visual ecology of organisms. J Zool (1987) 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B. M. Seymoure
- Department of Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA
| | - C. Linares
- Department of Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA
| | - J. White
- Department of Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA
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9
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Gruson H, Andraud C, Daney de Marcillac W, Berthier S, Elias M, Gomez D. Quantitative characterization of iridescent colours in biological studies: a novel method using optical theory. Interface Focus 2018; 9:20180049. [PMID: 30603069 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2018.0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Iridescent colours are colours that change with viewing or illumination geometry. While they are widespread in many living organisms, most evolutionary studies on iridescence do not take into account their full complexity. Few studies try to precisely characterize what makes iridescent colours special: their angular dependency. Yet, it is likely that this angular dependency has biological functions and is therefore submitted to evolutionary pressures. For this reason, evolutionary biologists need a repeatable method to measure iridescent colours as well as variables to precisely quantify the angular dependency. In this study, we use a theoretical approach to propose five variables that allow one to fully describe iridescent colours at every angle combination. Based on the results, we propose a new measurement protocol and statistical method to reliably characterize iridescence while minimizing the required number of time-consuming measurements. We use hummingbird iridescent feathers and butterfly iridescent wings as test cases to demonstrate the strengths of this new method. We show that our method is precise enough to be potentially used at intraspecific level while being also time-efficient enough to encompass large taxonomic scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Gruson
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Christine Andraud
- CRC, MNHN, Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, CNRS, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Marianne Elias
- ISYEB, CNRS, MNHN, EPHE, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Doris Gomez
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France.,INSP, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France
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10
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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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11
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Panettieri S, Gjinaj E, John G, Lohman DJ. Different ommochrome pigment mixtures enable sexually dimorphic Batesian mimicry in disjunct populations of the common palmfly butterfly, Elymnias hypermnestra. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202465. [PMID: 30208047 PMCID: PMC6135364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
With varied, brightly patterned wings, butterflies have been the focus of much work on the evolution and development of phenotypic novelty. However, the chemical structures of wing pigments from few butterfly species have been identified. We characterized the orange wing pigments of female Elymnias hypermnestra butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from two Southeast Asian populations. This species is a sexually dimorphic Batesian mimic of several model species. Females are polymorphic: in some populations, females are dark, resemble conspecific males, and mimic Euploea spp. In other populations, females differ from males and mimic orange Danaus spp. Using LC-MS/MS, we identified nine ommochrome pigments: six from a population in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and five compounds from a population in Bali, Indonesia. Two ommochromes were found in both populations, and only two of the nine compounds have been previously reported. The sexually dimorphic Thai and Balinese populations are separated spatially by monomorphic populations in peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra, suggesting independent evolution of mimetic female wing pigments in these disjunct populations. These results indicate that other butterfly wing pigments remain to be discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Panettieri
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States of America
- Ph.D. Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Erisa Gjinaj
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - George John
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States of America
- Ph.D. Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DJL); (GJ)
| | - David J. Lohman
- Biology Department, City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States of America
- Ph.D. Program in Biology, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States of America
- Entomology Section, National Museum of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines
- * E-mail: (DJL); (GJ)
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12
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Dell'Aglio DD, Troscianko J, McMillan WO, Stevens M, Jiggins CD. The appearance of mimetic Heliconius butterflies to predators and conspecifics. Evolution 2018; 72:2156-2166. [PMID: 30129174 PMCID: PMC6221148 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Adaptive coloration is under conflicting selection pressures: choosing potential mates and warning signaling against visually guided predators. Different elements of the color signal may therefore be tuned by evolution for different functions. We investigated how mimicry in four pairs of Heliconius comimics is potentially seen both from the perspective of butterflies and birds. Visual sensitivities of eight candidate avian predators were predicted through genetic analysis of their opsin genes. Using digital image color analysis, combined with bird and butterfly visual system models, we explored how predators and conspecifics may visualize mimetic patterns. Ultraviolet vision (UVS) birds are able to discriminate between the yellow and white colors of comimics better than violet vision (VS) birds. For Heliconius vision, males and females differ in their ability to discriminate comimics. Female vision and red filtering pigments have a significant effect on the perception of the yellow forewing band and the red ventral forewing pattern. A behavioral experiment showed that UV cues are used in mating behavior; removal of such cues was associated with an increased tendency to approach comimics as compared to conspecifics. We have therefore shown that visual signals can act to both reduce the cost of confusion in courtship and maintain the advantages of mimicry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Dalbosco Dell'Aglio
- Butterfly Genetics Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Jolyon Troscianko
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - W Owen McMillan
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Martin Stevens
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - Chris D Jiggins
- Butterfly Genetics Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
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13
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Lawrence JP, Noonan BP. Avian learning favors colorful, not bright, signals. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194279. [PMID: 29566013 PMCID: PMC5864004 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A few colors, such as red and yellow, are commonly found in aposematic (warning) signaling across taxa, independent of evolutionary relationships. These colors have unique traits (i.e., hue, brightness) that aid in their differentiation, and perhaps, their effectiveness in promoting avoidance learning. This repeated use calls into question the influence of selection on specific warning colors adopted by aposematic prey-predator systems. To disentangle the influence of color characteristics on this process, we trained week-old chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) to learn to avoid distasteful food that was associated with one of three color signals (yellow, white, red) that varied in both hue and in brightness in order to assess which of these traits most influenced their ability to learn avoidance. Our results show that while chicks learned to avoid all three colors, avoidance was based on the hue, not brightness of the different signals. We found that yellow was the most effective for avoidance learning, followed by red, and finally white. Our results suggest that while these three colors are commonly used in aposematic signaling, predators' ability to learn avoidance differs among them. These results may explain why yellow is among the most common signals across aposematic taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. P. Lawrence
- University of Mississippi, Department of Biology, University, Mississippi United States of America
| | - Brice P. Noonan
- University of Mississippi, Department of Biology, University, Mississippi United States of America
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14
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Seymoure BM. Enlightening Butterfly Conservation Efforts: The Importance of Natural Lighting for Butterfly Behavioral Ecology and Conservation. INSECTS 2018; 9:E22. [PMID: 29439549 PMCID: PMC5872287 DOI: 10.3390/insects9010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Light is arguably the most important abiotic factor for living organisms. Organisms evolved under specific lighting conditions and their behavior, physiology, and ecology are inexorably linked to light. Understanding light effects on biology could not be more important as present anthropogenic effects are greatly changing the light environments in which animals exist. The two biggest anthropogenic contributors changing light environments are: (1) anthropogenic lighting at night (i.e., light pollution); and (2) deforestation and the built environment. I highlight light importance for butterfly behavior, physiology, and ecology and stress the importance of including light as a conservation factor for conserving butterfly biodiversity. This review focuses on four parts: (1) Introducing the nature and extent of light. (2) Visual and non-visual light reception in butterflies. (3) Implications of unnatural lighting for butterflies across several different behavioral and ecological contexts. (4). Future directions for quantifying the threat of unnatural lighting on butterflies and simple approaches to mitigate unnatural light impacts on butterflies. I urge future research to include light as a factor and end with the hopeful thought that controlling many unnatural light conditions is simply done by flipping a switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Seymoure
- Department of Biology and Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
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15
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Insect herbivory may cause changes in the visual properties of leaves and affect the camouflage of herbivores to avian predators. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2326-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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