Are monarch butterflies true navigators? The jury is still out

Oberhauser, Karen S.; Taylor, Orley R.; Reppert, Steven M.; Dingle, Hugh; Nail, Kelly R.; Pyle, Robert Michael; Stenoien, Carl

doi:10.1073/pnas.1308369110

Cited by 19 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…; but see Oberhauser et al . ). Large‐scale topographic features probably also help to funnel the migrants towards the overwintering sites, and at closer range the locations of the winter refuges (oyamel fir groves) may be pinpointed by olfactory cues – all these aspects require further study, however.…”

Section: Mechanisms For Controlling Migratory Directionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Be that as it may, the latest indications are that monarchs reach their Mexican wintering areas by means of a straightforward vector-navigation strategy, i.e. they are not able to determine their geographic position along the route using an internal 'map' (Mouritsen et al 2013; but see Oberhauser et al 2013). Large-scale topographic features probably also help to funnel the migrants towards the overwintering sites, and at closer range the locations of the winter refuges (oyamel fir groves) may be pinpointed by olfactory cuesall these aspects require further study, however.…”

Section: Flight Behaviour In Daytime Fbl Migrants: Cues and Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Long‐range seasonal migration in insects: mechanisms, evolutionary drivers and ecological consequences

2015

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Myriad tiny insect species take to the air to engage in windborne migration, but entomology also has its 'charismatic megafauna' of butterflies, large moths, dragonflies and locusts. The spectacular migrations of large day-flying insects have long fascinated humankind, and since the advent of radar entomology much has been revealed about high-altitude night-time insect migrations. Over the last decade, there have been significant advances in insect migration research, which we review here. In particular, we highlight: (1) notable improvements in our understanding of lepidopteran navigation strategies, including the hitherto unsuspected capabilities of high-altitude migrants to select favourable winds and orientate adaptively, (2) progress in unravelling the neuronal mechanisms underlying sun compass orientation and in identifying the genetic complex underpinning key traits associated with migration behaviour and performance in the monarch butterfly, and (3) improvements in our knowledge of the multifaceted interactions between disease agents and insect migrants, in terms of direct effects on migration success and pathogen spread, and indirect effects on the evolution of migratory systems. We conclude by highlighting the progress that can be made through inter-phyla comparisons, and identify future research areas that will enhance our understanding of insect migration strategies within an eco-evolutionary perspective.

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Section: Mechanisms For Controlling Migratory Directionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Flight Behaviour In Daytime Fbl Migrants: Cues and Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long‐range seasonal migration in insects: mechanisms, evolutionary drivers and ecological consequences

2015

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“…In contrast, adult birds that had the opportunity to learn landmarks on their previous trip were able to compensate for the displacement, actively navigating to their original wintering area (Perdeck, 1958). In contrast to blackcaps, genetic inheritance of migratory traits in North American monarchs has not been established using breeding experiments, and the interpretation of displacement experiments remains controversial (Mouritsen et al, 2013b;Oberhauser et al, 2013). Nevertheless, the multigenerational nature of the monarch migratory cycle in the Eastern United States suggests that genes encoding migratory traits are encoded in the monarch genome, and thus heritable, but are turned on or off in response to seasonal environmental changes in the migratory generation.…”

Section: Accurate Phenotyping Of Migratory Behaviour Is Keymentioning

confidence: 99%

The genetics and epigenetics of animal migration and orientation: birds, butterflies and beyond

Merlin

Liedvogel

2019

Journal of Experimental Biology

111

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Migration is a complex behavioural adaptation for survival that has evolved across the animal kingdom from invertebrates to mammals. In some taxa, closely related migratory species, or even populations of the same species, exhibit different migratory phenotypes, including timing and orientation of migration. In these species, a significant proportion of the phenotypic variance in migratory traits is genetic. In others, the migratory phenotype and direction is triggered by seasonal changes in the environment, suggesting an epigenetic control of their migration. The genes and epigenetic changes underpinning migratory behaviour remain largely unknown. The revolution in (epi)genomics and functional genomic tools holds great promise to rapidly move the field of migration genetics forward. Here, we review our current understanding of the genetic and epigenetic architecture of migratory traits, focusing on two emerging models: the European blackcap and the North American monarch butterfly. We also outline a vision of how technical advances and integrative approaches could be employed to identify and functionally validate candidate genes and cisregulatory elements on these and other migratory species across both small and broad phylogenetic scales to significantly advance the field of genetics of animal migration.

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“…3. Western monarchs are "true navigators" that know where they are going and how to get there (Pyle, 1999;Oberhauser et al, 2013). 4.…”

Section: Monarchs Tagged In Arizona Have Been Found In Californiamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Modeling in Monarch Butterfly Research and Conservation

Grant

Bradbury

2019

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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Models are an integral part of the scientific endeavor, whether they be conceptual, mathematical, statistical, or simulation models. Models of appropriate complexity facilitate comprehension and improve understanding of the variables driving system processes. In the context of conservation planning decision-making or research efforts, a useful model can aid interpretation and avoid overfitting by including only essential elements. Models can serve two related, but different purposes: understanding and prediction of future system behavior. Predictive models can require several iterations of refinement and empirical data gathering to be useful for conservation planning. Models with less predictive ability can be used to enhance understanding of system function and generate hypotheses for empirical evaluation. Modeling monarch butterfly systems, whether it be landscape-scale movement in breeding habitats, migratory behavior, or population dynamics at monthly or yearly timeframes, is challenging because the systems encompass complex spatial and temporal interactions across nested scales that are difficult, if not impossible, to empirically observe or comprehend without simplification. We review mathematical, statistical, and simulation models that have provided insights into monarch butterfly systems. Mathematical models have provided understanding of underlying processes that may be driving monarch systems. Statistical models have provided understanding of patterns in empirical data, which may represent underlying mechanisms. Simulations models have provided understanding of mechanisms driving systems and provide the potential to link mechanisms with data to build more predictive models. As an example, recently published agent-based models of non-migratory eastern North American monarch butterfly movement and egg-laying may provide the means to explore how different spatial patterns of habitat, habitat quality, and the interaction of stressors can influence future adult recruitment. The migratory process, however, has not been addressed with agent-based modeling. Using western monarch migration as an example, we describe how modeling could be used to provide insights into migratory dynamics. Future integration of migratory models with non-migratory and population dynamics models may provide better understanding and ultimately prediction of monarch butterfly movement and population dynamics at a continental scale.

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Are monarch butterflies true navigators? The jury is still out

Cited by 19 publications

References 3 publications

Long‐range seasonal migration in insects: mechanisms, evolutionary drivers and ecological consequences

Long‐range seasonal migration in insects: mechanisms, evolutionary drivers and ecological consequences

The genetics and epigenetics of animal migration and orientation: birds, butterflies and beyond

The Role of Modeling in Monarch Butterfly Research and Conservation

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