Refining mimicry: phenotypic variation tracks the local optimum

Mérot, Claire; Poul, Yann Le; Théry, Marc; Joron, Mathieu

doi:10.1111/1365-2656.12521

Cited by 17 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Similarly, population level variation indicates that Heliconius timareta has evolved to match the local coloration of its comimic H. melpomene amaryllis (Mérot et al. ). A further study on Batesian mimics found differences between the sexes and wing surfaces, with females being better mimics and the dorsal side having better resemblance to mimic models (Su et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The appearance of mimetic Heliconius butterflies to predators and conspecifics

et al. 2018

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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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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…; Mérot et al. ; Thurman and Seymoure ). Here, we address a different question: what is the ability of individuals to distinguish between sympatric comimic species?…”

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confidence: 96%

The appearance of mimetic Heliconius butterflies to predators and conspecifics

et al. 2018

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“…These studies highlight that while it is clear that color pattern and, to some extent, flight are important for mimicry in Heliconius , wing aspect ratio is also subject to other selection pressures (Mérot et al. ; Rossato et al. ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…; Mérot et al. , ). In addition, the relatively low collection numbers of female Heliconius could hinder the detection of subtle wing aspect ratio differences across the sexes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Altitude and life‐history shape the evolution ofHeliconiuswings

et al. 2019

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Phenotypic divergence between closely related species has long interested biologists. Taxa that inhabit a range of environments and have diverse natural histories can help understand how selection drives phenotypic divergence. In butterflies, wing color patterns have been extensively studied but diversity in wing shape and size is less well understood. Here, we assess the relative importance of phylogenetic relatedness, natural history, and habitat on shaping wing morphology in a large dataset of over 3500 individuals, representing 13 Heliconius species from across the Neotropics. We find that both larval and adult behavioral ecology correlate with patterns of wing sexual dimorphism and adult size. Species with solitary larvae have larger adult males, in contrast to gregarious Heliconius species, and indeed most Lepidoptera, where females are larger. Species in the pupal‐mating clade are smaller than those in the adult‐mating clade. Interestingly, we find that high‐altitude species tend to have rounder wings and, in one of the two major Heliconius clades, are also bigger than their lowland relatives. Furthermore, within two widespread species, we find that high‐altitude populations also have rounder wings. Thus, we reveal novel adaptive wing morphological divergence among Heliconius species beyond that imposed by natural selection on aposematic wing coloration.

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Subtle variation in size and shape of the whole forewing and the red band among co‐mimics revealed by geometric morphometric analysis in Heliconius butterflies

Rossato

Boligon

Fornel

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Heliconius are unpalatable butterflies that exhibit remarkable intra‐ and interspecific variation in wing color pattern, specifically warning coloration. Species that have converged on the same pattern are often clustered in Müllerian mimicry rings. Overall, wing color patterns are nearly identical among co‐mimics. However, fine‐scale differences exist, indicating that factors in addition to natural selection may underlie wing phenotype. Here, we investigate differences in shape and size of the forewing and the red band in the Heliconius postman mimicry ring (H. erato phyllis and the co‐mimics H. besckei, H. melpomene burchelli, and H. melpomene nanna) using a landmark‐based approach. If phenotypic evolution is driven entirely by predation pressure, we expect nonsignificant differences among co‐mimics in terms of wing shape. Also, a reinforcement of wing pattern (i.e., greater similarity) could occur when co‐mimics are in sympatry. We also examined variation in the red forewing band because this trait is critical for both mimicry and sexual communication. Morphometric results revealed significant but small differences among species, particularly in the shape of the forewing of co‐mimics. Although we did not observe greater similarity when co‐mimics were in sympatry, nearly identical patterns provided evidence of convergence for mimicry. In contrast, mimetic pairs could be distinguished based on the shape (but not the size) of the red band, suggesting an “advergence” process. In addition, sexual dimorphism in the red band shape (but not size) was found for all lineages. Thus, we infer that natural selection due to predation by birds might not be the only mechanism responsible for variation in color patterns, and sexual selection could be an important driver of wing phenotypic evolution in this mimicry ring.

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Refining mimicry: phenotypic variation tracks the local optimum

Cited by 17 publications

References 67 publications

The appearance of mimetic Heliconius butterflies to predators and conspecifics

The appearance of mimetic Heliconius butterflies to predators and conspecifics

Altitude and life‐history shape the evolution ofHeliconiuswings

Subtle variation in size and shape of the whole forewing and the red band among co‐mimics revealed by geometric morphometric analysis in Heliconius butterflies

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