Environmental, Developmental, and Genetic Conditions Shaping Monarch Butterfly Migration Behavior DOI Creative Commons
Hsiang‐Yu Tsai, Cristian Ríos Molina, John M. Pleasants

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 16, 2025

Monarch butterflies in North America migrate south each autumn, but the mechanisms that initiate their migratory flight remain incompletely understood. We investigated environmental, developmental, and genetic factors contribute to directional by testing summer autumn-generation monarchs three simulators: two at ground level (with without wind blockage) a novel balloon-based system raised 30 meters into air. Monarchs reared under autumn-like conditions growth chamber during were also tested explore influence of developmental cues. Autumn generation demonstrated significant southwestern orientation, observed exclusively balloon simulator, underscoring importance high-altitude for behavior. Summer displayed southward larger wing sizes, partial reproductive diapause, indicating specific seasonal environmental cues are sufficient induce traits. In contrast, lab line captivity since 2016 exhibited diminished size reduced orientation ability, even when outdoors consistent with loss traits absence migration. Surprisingly, simulator tended orient upwind, which suggests may serves as cue These findings highlight critical roles altitude, wind, monarch migration validate powerful tool studying This research advances our understanding initiation informs strategies conservation efforts amidst change.

Language: Английский

Environmental, Developmental, and Genetic Conditions Shaping Monarch Butterfly Migration Behavior DOI Creative Commons
Hsiang‐Yu Tsai, Cristian Ríos Molina, John M. Pleasants

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 16, 2025

Monarch butterflies in North America migrate south each autumn, but the mechanisms that initiate their migratory flight remain incompletely understood. We investigated environmental, developmental, and genetic factors contribute to directional by testing summer autumn-generation monarchs three simulators: two at ground level (with without wind blockage) a novel balloon-based system raised 30 meters into air. Monarchs reared under autumn-like conditions growth chamber during were also tested explore influence of developmental cues. Autumn generation demonstrated significant southwestern orientation, observed exclusively balloon simulator, underscoring importance high-altitude for behavior. Summer displayed southward larger wing sizes, partial reproductive diapause, indicating specific seasonal environmental cues are sufficient induce traits. In contrast, lab line captivity since 2016 exhibited diminished size reduced orientation ability, even when outdoors consistent with loss traits absence migration. Surprisingly, simulator tended orient upwind, which suggests may serves as cue These findings highlight critical roles altitude, wind, monarch migration validate powerful tool studying This research advances our understanding initiation informs strategies conservation efforts amidst change.

Language: Английский

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