Predator selection on phenotypic variability of cryptic and aposematic moths
(2024) In Nature Communications 15.- Abstract
Natural selection generally favours phenotypic variability in camouflaged organisms, whereas aposematic organisms are expected to evolve a more uniform warning coloration. However, no comprehensive analysis of the phenotypic consequences of predator selection in aposematic and cryptic species exists. Using state-of-the-art image analysis, we examine 2800 wing images of 82 moth species accessed via three online museum databases. We test whether anti-predator strategy (i.e., camouflage or aposematism) explains intraspecific variation in wing colour and pattern across northern hemisphere moths. In addition, we test two mutually non-exclusive, ecological hypotheses to explain variation in colour pattern: diel-activity or dietary-niche. In... (More)
Natural selection generally favours phenotypic variability in camouflaged organisms, whereas aposematic organisms are expected to evolve a more uniform warning coloration. However, no comprehensive analysis of the phenotypic consequences of predator selection in aposematic and cryptic species exists. Using state-of-the-art image analysis, we examine 2800 wing images of 82 moth species accessed via three online museum databases. We test whether anti-predator strategy (i.e., camouflage or aposematism) explains intraspecific variation in wing colour and pattern across northern hemisphere moths. In addition, we test two mutually non-exclusive, ecological hypotheses to explain variation in colour pattern: diel-activity or dietary-niche. In this work, taking into account phylogenetic relationships, moth phenotypic variability is best explained by anti-predator strategy with camouflaged moths being more variable in wing patterning than aposematic species.
(Less)
- author
- Nokelainen, Ossi ; Silvasti, Sanni A. ; Strauss, Sharon Y. ; Wahlberg, Niklas LU and Mappes, Johanna
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024-02-23
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Nature Communications
- volume
- 15
- article number
- 1678
- pages
- 12 pages
- publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:38395999
- scopus:85185824572
- ISSN
- 2041-1723
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41467-024-45329-5
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- fc6545a3-621b-45be-84d9-4b8092682c4e
- date added to LUP
- 2024-03-14 11:41:47
- date last changed
- 2024-04-25 08:20:16
@article{fc6545a3-621b-45be-84d9-4b8092682c4e,
abstract = {{<p>Natural selection generally favours phenotypic variability in camouflaged organisms, whereas aposematic organisms are expected to evolve a more uniform warning coloration. However, no comprehensive analysis of the phenotypic consequences of predator selection in aposematic and cryptic species exists. Using state-of-the-art image analysis, we examine 2800 wing images of 82 moth species accessed via three online museum databases. We test whether anti-predator strategy (i.e., camouflage or aposematism) explains intraspecific variation in wing colour and pattern across northern hemisphere moths. In addition, we test two mutually non-exclusive, ecological hypotheses to explain variation in colour pattern: diel-activity or dietary-niche. In this work, taking into account phylogenetic relationships, moth phenotypic variability is best explained by anti-predator strategy with camouflaged moths being more variable in wing patterning than aposematic species.</p>}},
author = {{Nokelainen, Ossi and Silvasti, Sanni A. and Strauss, Sharon Y. and Wahlberg, Niklas and Mappes, Johanna}},
issn = {{2041-1723}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{02}},
publisher = {{Nature Publishing Group}},
series = {{Nature Communications}},
title = {{Predator selection on phenotypic variability of cryptic and aposematic moths}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45329-5}},
doi = {{10.1038/s41467-024-45329-5}},
volume = {{15}},
year = {{2024}},
}