Phenotypic plasticity in tropical butterflies is linked to climatic seasonality on a macroevolutionary scale

Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 78(7), P. 1302 - 1316

Published: April 18, 2024

Abstract Phenotypic plasticity can be adaptive in fluctuating environments by providing rapid environment–phenotype matching and this applies particularly seasonal environments. African Bicyclus butterflies have repeatedly colonized savannahs from ancestral forests around the late Miocene, many species now exhibit polyphenism. On a macroevolutionary scale, it expected that savannah will higher because of experiencing stronger environmental seasonality than forest species. We quantified using niche modeling surveyed degree key wing pattern element (eyespot size) museum specimens. showed occurring highly display strong plasticity, while less or aseasonal surprisingly variable degrees including to no plasticity. Furthermore, eyespot size has moderate phylogenetic signal likely exhibited some propose hypotheses explain range patterns seen generate testable predictions for evolution Bicyclus. Our study provides one most compelling cases showing links between phenotypic on scale potential role facilitating colonization novel

Language: Английский

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Development time integrates temperature and host plant cues for eyespot size in three tropical satyrine butterflies

Journal of Insect Physiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 163, P. 104814 - 104814

Published: May 8, 2025

Language: Английский

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Thermal plasticity in protective wing pigmentation is modulated by genotype and food availability in an insect model of seasonal polyphenism

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38(8), P. 1765 - 1778

Published: July 4, 2024

Abstract Phenotypic variation in natural populations results from complex interactions between organisms and their changing environments. The environment shapes both phenotypic frequencies (during adaptation) organismal phenotypes (through plasticity). Developmental plasticity, particular, refers to the phenomenon whereby an organism's phenotype depends on environmental conditions during development. It can match ecological help cope with heterogeneity, including differences alternating seasons. Experimental studies of developmental plasticity often focus impact individual cues do not take explicit account genetic variation. In contrast, environments are complex, comprising multiple variables combined effects that poorly understood may vary among genotypes. We investigated multifactorial development seasonally plastic eyespots Bicyclus anynana butterflies. Eyespot size temperature is involved alternative seasonal strategies for predator avoidance. nature, food availability undergo fluctuations. However, our understanding how thermal eyespot varies response across genotypes remains limited. To address this, we ( T ; two levels: 20°C 27°C) N control limited) examined wing adult males females G 28 families). found evidence nutritional temperature‐by‐nutrition (significant × ) sexes. Food limitation resulted relatively smaller tempered temperature. Additionally, families effects), but (non‐significant effects) nor effects). Our reveal context dependence slope reaction norms varying discuss these light significance pigmentation value considering biological climate change. Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Fruit‐feeding butterflies depend on adult food for reproduction: Evidence from longitudinal body mass and abundance data

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 36(8), P. 1961 - 1972

Published: June 8, 2022

Abstract The degree to which variation in adult food availability affects the population dynamics of a species depends on its position capital‐income breeding continuum. long‐lived butterflies that feed fruits as adults constitute an example Lepidoptera with high income breeding. For three fruit‐feeding Uganda, we assessed contribution wild, and consequences fruit for body mass dynamics. We interpreted body‐mass loss within individuals well younger having higher than older ones evidence depletion capital reserves. Despite large sample sizes, were able show only modest one species, indicating large‐bodied are functionally breeders wild. Butterfly was sensitive environmental factors, although responses weather parameters dominated by interactive effects. In all periods followed abundance five months later, fitting egg‐to‐adult time. Our results suggest is rapidly used reproduction so remains stable size responds availability. these frequent low may select extended longevity purpose postponing onset more favourable conditions. Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Tempo and mode of diapause evolution in butterflies

Published: Feb. 19, 2024

Quantifying the tempo and mode via modern phylogenetic comparative methods can provide crucial insights into role of selection constraints in trait evolution. Here we elucidate evolution diapause, a complex defining life-history that allows temporal escape from unfavorable conditions many insects, including our model system, butterflies. Using thorough literature survey, first scored developmental stage diapause (egg, larva, pupa, adult) vs. absence diapause. We find larval is most common temperate lineages while pupal, egg, adult are relatively rare. Next, determined loss occurred at much higher rate than gain, its gain primarily non-diapause state. While ancestral state estimation deeper nodes remained uncertain, found consistent patterns for some families strong evidence convergent across no support hypothesis should be during Eocene-Oligocene glacial maximum event (~35 MYA). Overall, butterflies has history, evolved convergently, likely earlier glaciation with deep history insects. These findings fill gap much-needed studies future research.

Language: Английский

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Phenotypically plastic responses to environmental variation are more complex than life history theory predicts

Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 78(8), P. 1486 - 1498

Published: May 18, 2024

Abstract For insects that exhibit wing polyphenic development, abiotic and biotic signals dictate the adult morphology of insect in an adaptive manner such stressful environments formation a flight-capable morph is favored low-stress environments, flightless favored. While there relatively large amount known about environmental cues hemipterans like planthoppers aphids, whether those same morphs non-hemipteran (i.e., cricket) species has not been explicitly investigated. To experimentally test generality cue determination polyphenism across taxa with diverse life histories, this study, we tested importance food quantity, parasitic infection, tactile on sand field cricket, Gryllus firmus. Our results also show certain stress cues, as severe diet quantity limitation actually led to increase production morph. Based these findings, our suggest physiological genetic constraints are important organism’s ability respond variation beyond simple history trade-offs.

Language: Английский

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Tempo and mode of winter diapause evolution in butterflies

Evolution Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9(1), P. 125 - 136

Published: Oct. 18, 2024

Abstract Quantifying the tempo and mode via modern phylogenetic comparative methods can provide key insights into how selection constraints shape trait evolution on a macroevolutionary time scale. Here, we elucidate of hibernation (winter) diapause, complex defining life-history that allows temporal escape from harsh winters in temperate regions for many insects, including our model system, butterflies. Butterflies diapause all major life stages, availability global-scale phylogenies makes them an ideal system studying evolution. First, using thorough literature survey, scored developmental stage (egg, larva, pupa, adult) vs. absence diapause. We find larval is most common, while pupal, egg, adult are relatively rare. Next, determined loss occurred at much higher rate gains primarily non-diapause state. While ancestral state estimation deeper nodes remained uncertain, found consistent patterns some families strong evidence extensive convergence Contrary to expectations, no support increased gain during Eocene–Oligocene glaciation (~35 million years ago). Overall, butterflies has history, evolved convergently, likely predated event with deep history insects. This study advances understanding important establishes foundation future studies ultimate proximate basis

Language: Английский

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Drought disrupts year-round breeding readiness in a tropical songbird

Avian Conservation and Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(2)

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Climate change is expected to increase the prevalence and severity of extreme weather events like drought. For many opportunistically breeding tropical bird species, precipitation serves as a primary cue for onset breeding, sustained drought can have major impacts on reproductive fitness. The physiological effects are poorly understood, but understanding responses help resolve mechanisms underlying population demography. We used data collected year-round New Guinea endemic passerine, White-shouldered Fairywren (Malurus alboscapulatus), during years with persistent rainfall 2015–2016 El Niño event assess patterns readiness, body condition, molt. Many males lost their cloacal protuberances, sperm storage organ they typically maintain year-round, period. Body molt, which also occurs in this was higher Using sliding-window statistical model approach, we identified critical window 0–40 days prior capture protuberance volume 8–53 lower associated smaller protuberances greater Plasma androgens were predictive variation male thus potentially mediating transitions between life-history stages response environmental conditions. Female androgens, mass varied photoperiod, longer decreasing day lengths characteristic austral summer increasing molt androgens. Collectively, our results indicate potential photoperiod some stages, whereas reduced apparently not female physiology readiness breed. Improving regulation taxa essential identifying most at risk under changing climate.

Language: Английский

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Exploring links between climatic predictability and the evolution of within‐ and transgenerational plasticity

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2022

In variable environments, phenotypic plasticity can increase fitness by providing tight environment-phenotype matching. However, adaptive is expected to evolve only when the future selective environment be predicted based on prevailing conditions. That is, juvenile should predictive of adult (within-generation plasticity) or parental offspring (transgenerational plasticity). Moreover, environmental predictability also shape transient responses such as stress response in an direction. Here, we test links between and evolution combining time series analyses a common garden experiment using temperature stressor temperate butterfly (

Language: Английский

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Seasonal plasticity in sympatric Bicyclus butterflies in a tropical forest where temperature does not predict rainfall

Biotropica, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 56(5)

Published: July 30, 2024

Abstract While variation in temperature appears to be the main environmental cue for plasticity adult traits many species of Mycalesina, relying on would result a mismatch between phenotype and environment some regions. We measured phenotypes six Bicyclus butterflies (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Mycalesina) humid tropical forest with two rainy seasons per year modest unimodal seasonal variation, such that does not predict rainfall can reproduce year‐round. The showed subtle temporal body size relative eyespot size, while androconia length was robust variation. After higher temperatures, tended smaller, larger species‐eyespot combinations. This indicates these follow “hotter is smaller” rule, show developmental typical this clade. Eyespot sizes correlated each other, except Cu1 B . auricruda eyespots always remained very small. Androconia related size. pattern correlations suggests conserved cue‐use shared mechanisms using both rainfall‐related cues, exceptions.

Language: Английский

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