Wing Shape Variation Associated With Mimicry in Butterflies

Jones, Robert T.; Poul, Yann Le; Whibley, Annabel; Mérot, Claire; ffrench-Constant, Richard H.; Joron, Mathieu

doi:10.1111/evo.12114

Cited by 32 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…This is an interesting possibility to be addressed in a future study. A possibility that the supergene responsible for colour patterns is associated with wing shape variation is suggested [40]. The results obtained for intraspecific variation in flight behaviour in our species will contribute to studies of supergenes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Behavioural mimicry in flight path of Batesian intraspecific polymorphic butterflyPapilio polytes

Kitamura

Imafuku

2015

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Batesian mimics that show similar coloration to unpalatable models gain a fitness advantage of reduced predation. Beyond physical similarity, mimics often exhibit behaviour similar to their models, further enhancing their protection against predation by mimicking not only the model's physical appearance but also activity. In butterflies, there is a strong correlation between palatability and flight velocity, but there is only weak correlation between palatability and flight path. Little is known about how Batesian mimics fly. Here, we explored the flight behaviour of four butterfly species/morphs: unpalatable model Pachliopta aristolochiae, mimetic and non-mimetic females of female-limited mimic Papilio polytes, and palatable control Papilio xuthus. We demonstrated that the directional change (DC) generated by wingbeats and the standard deviation of directional change (SDDC) of mimetic females and their models were smaller than those of non-mimetic females and palatable controls. Furthermore, we found no significant difference in flight velocity among all species/morphs. By showing that DC and SDDC of mimetic females resemble those of models, we provide the first evidence for the existence of behavioural mimicry in flight path by a Batesian mimic butterfly.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Behavioural mimicry in flight path of Batesian intraspecific polymorphic butterflyPapilio polytes

Kitamura

Imafuku

2015

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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“…Wing outline, extracted and aligned through the first step CPM procedure, was further analysed with elliptical Fourier analysis using custom scripts developed in Matlab (Jones et al . ), following the directions of (Neto et al . ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Refining mimicry: phenotypic variation tracks the local optimum

Mérot

Poul

Théry

et al. 2016

Journal of Animal Ecology

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Müllerian mimicry between chemically defended preys is a textbook example of natural selection favouring phenotypic convergence onto a shared warning signal. Studies of mimicry have concentrated on deciphering the ecological and genetic underpinnings of dramatic switches in mimicry association, producing a well-known mosaic distribution of mimicry patterns across geography. However, little is known about the accuracy of resemblance between natural comimics when the local phenotypic optimum varies. In this study, using analyses of wing shape, pattern and hue, we quantify multimodal phenotypic similarity between butterfly comimics sharing the so-called postman pattern in different localities with varying species composition. We show that subtle but consistent variation between populations of the localized species, Heliconius timareta thelxinoe, enhance resemblance to the abundant comimics which drive the mimicry in each locality. Those results suggest that rarer comimics track the changes in the phenotypic optimum caused by gradual changes in the composition of the mimicry community, providing insights into the process by which intraspecific diversity of mimetic pattern may arise. Furthermore, our results suggest a multimodal evolution of similarity, with coordinated convergence in different features of the phenotype such as wing outline, pattern and hue. Finally, multilocus genotyping allows estimating local hybridization rates between H. timareta and comimic H. melpomene in different populations, raising the hypothesis that mimicry refinement between closely related comimics may be enhanced by adaptive introgression at loci modifying the accuracy of resemblance.

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“…Heliconius warning signals provide a tractable example of a phenotype comprising a composite of multiple characters, some of which may have additional functions (Sherratt & Beatty, ). In Heliconius , warning signals can involve the spatial arrangement of wing‐pattern elements (see Brown, ; for a review), colour hue (Crane, ; Sweeney et al ., , ; Bybee et al ., ; Llaurens et al ., ), wing shape (Jones et al ., ) and behaviour (Srygley, , , ; Finkbeiner et al ., ). The addition of new characters to warning signals can enhance their efficiency (Sherratt & Beatty, ; Rowe & Halpin, ).…”

Section: The Heliconiini Radiation and The Nature Of Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The diversification ofHeliconiusbutterflies: what have we learned in 150 years?

Merrill

Dasmahapatra

Davey

et al. 2015

J of Evolutionary Biology

161

176

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Research into Heliconius butterflies has made a significant contribution to evolutionary biology. Here, we review our understanding of the diversification of these butterflies, covering recent advances and a vast foundation of earlier work. Whereas no single group of organisms can be sufficient for understanding life's diversity, after years of intensive study, research into Heliconius has addressed a wide variety of evolutionary questions. We first discuss evidence for widespread gene flow between Heliconius species and what this reveals about the nature of species. We then address the evolution and diversity of warning patterns, both as the target of selection and with respect to their underlying genetic basis. The identification of major genes involved in mimetic shifts, and homology at these loci between distantly related taxa, has revealed a surprising predictability in the genetic basis of evolution. In the final sections, we consider the evolution of warning patterns, and Heliconius diversity more generally, within a broader context of ecological and sexual selection. We consider how different traits and modes of selection can interact and influence the evolution of reproductive isolation.

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Wing Shape Variation Associated With Mimicry in Butterflies

Cited by 32 publications

References 75 publications

Behavioural mimicry in flight path of Batesian intraspecific polymorphic butterflyPapilio polytes

Behavioural mimicry in flight path of Batesian intraspecific polymorphic butterflyPapilio polytes

Refining mimicry: phenotypic variation tracks the local optimum

The diversification ofHeliconiusbutterflies: what have we learned in 150 years?

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