Ultraviolet wing signal affects territorial contest outcome in a sexually dimorphic damselfly

Xu, Mingzi; Fincke, Ola M.

doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.12.018

Cited by 29 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Recently, it has been shown that odonate wax derived UV colouration can affect territorial contests, suggesting a possible condition dependence of this trait (Xu and Fincke, 2015). Whether the production of a more pronounced and complex wax layer imposes a higher physiological burden for males and, thus, cannot be afforded by every male, remains unclear.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanism of the wing colouration in the dragonfly Zenithoptera lanei (Odonata: Libellulidae) and its role in intraspecific communication

Ferreira

Bispo

Appel

et al. 2015

Journal of Insect Physiology

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Zenithoptera dragonflies are known for their remarkable bluish colouration on their wings and unique male behaviour of folding and unfolding their wings while perching. However, nothing is known about the optical properties of such colouration and its structural and functional background. In this paper, we aimed to study the relationship between the wing membrane ultrastructure, surface microstructure and colour spectra of male wings in Zenithoptera lanei and test the hypothesis that colouration functions as a signal in territorial fights between males. The results show that the specific wing colouration derives from interference in alternating layers of melanized and unmelanized cuticle in the wing membrane, combined with diffuse scattering in two different layers of wax crystals on the dorsal wing surface, one lower layer of long filaments, and one upper layer of leaf-shaped crystals. The results also show that the thicker wax coverage of the dorsal surface of the wings results in increased brightness and reduced chroma. In the field experiments, we have demonstrated that there is a reduction of aggressive reactions of rivals towards individuals with experimentally reduced amount of blue wing colouration.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanism of the wing colouration in the dragonfly Zenithoptera lanei (Odonata: Libellulidae) and its role in intraspecific communication

Ferreira

Bispo

Appel

et al. 2015

Journal of Insect Physiology

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“…The most surprising example may be two species of yellow damselfish that can tell each other apart based solely on subtle differences in UV-reflective patterns on their faces (Siebeck et al, 2010). UV cues are also involved in intraspecific aggressive displays, often male-male altercations over territory or access to females (Xu and Fincke, 2015;Stapley and Whiting, 2006;Whiting et al, 2006). It is also possible that the various UV signals discussed here can serve in covert signaling in cases where an animal's primary predators lack UV sensitivity (Cummings et al, 2003).…”

Section: Foraging and Predator/prey Detectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photoreception and vision in the ultraviolet

Cronin

Bok

2016

Journal of Experimental Biology

154

128

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Ultraviolet (UV) light occupies the spectral range of wavelengths slightly shorter than those visible to humans. Because of its shorter wavelength, it is more energetic (and potentially more photodamaging) than 'visible light', and it is scattered more efficiently in air and water. Until 1990, only a few animals were recognized as being sensitive to UV light, but we now know that a great diversity, possibly even the majority, of animal species can visually detect and respond to it. Here, we discuss the history of research on biological UV photosensitivity and review current major research trends in this field. Some animals use their UV photoreceptors to control simple, innate behaviors, but most incorporate their UV receptors into their general sense of vision. They not only detect UV light but recognize it as a separate color in light fields, on natural objects or living organisms, or in signals displayed by conspecifics. UV visual pigments are based on opsins, the same family of proteins that are used to detect light in conventional photoreceptors. Despite some interesting exceptions, most animal species have a single photoreceptor class devoted to the UV. The roles of UV in vision are manifold, from guiding navigation and orientation behavior, to detecting food and potential predators, to supporting high-level tasks such as mate assessment and intraspecific communication. Our current understanding of UV vision is restricted almost entirely to two phyla: arthropods and chordates (specifically, vertebrates), so there is much comparative work to be done.

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“…Further research is needed to examine the relationship between color and behavior in our focal population. Conspicuous color patches play a prominent role in mediating intrasexual male encounters in birds (Senar, 2006), and color patches can act as signals of resource holding potential which is used to assess opponents in agonistic interactions (Balzarini, Tasborsky, Villa, & Frommen, 2016;Dawkins & Guilford, 1993;O'Connor, Metcalfe, & Taylor, 1999;Sabol, Hellmann, Gray, & Hamilton, 2017;Xu & Fincke, 2015). Male prairie-chickens frequently engage in these types of interactions during which combs and air sacs are displayed to conspecifics at close range.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Divergent color signals from homologous unfeathered ornaments in two congeneric grouse

Gould

Carter

Augustine

2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Color‐based visual signals are important aspects of communication throughout the animal kingdom. Individuals evaluate color to obtain information about age and condition and to behave accordingly. Birds display a variety of striking, conspicuous colors and make ideal subjects for the study of color signaling. While most studies of avian color focus on plumage, bare unfeathered body parts also display a wide range of color signals. Mate choice and intrasexual competitive interactions are easily observed in lekking grouse, which also signal with prominent unfeathered color patches. Most male grouse have one pair of colorful bare part ornaments (combs), and males of several species also have inflatable air sacs in their throat. Previous studies have mostly focused on comb color and size, but little is known about the signaling role of air sac color. We measured comb size and the color properties of combs and air sacs in the Lesser and Greater Prairie‐Chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus and T. cupido, respectively), and investigated whether these properties varied with age and mass. We found that mass predicted color properties of air sacs and that age predicted comb size in the Greater Prairie‐Chicken, suggesting that these ornaments indicate condition dependence. No conclusive relationships between color and age or size were detected in the Lesser Prairie‐Chicken. Color properties of both ornaments differed between the two species. Further research is needed to determine mechanisms that link condition to color and whether the information advertised by color signals from these ornaments is intended for males, females, or both.

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Ultraviolet wing signal affects territorial contest outcome in a sexually dimorphic damselfly

Cited by 29 publications

References 65 publications

Mechanism of the wing colouration in the dragonfly Zenithoptera lanei (Odonata: Libellulidae) and its role in intraspecific communication

Mechanism of the wing colouration in the dragonfly Zenithoptera lanei (Odonata: Libellulidae) and its role in intraspecific communication

Photoreception and vision in the ultraviolet

Divergent color signals from homologous unfeathered ornaments in two congeneric grouse

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