Host nest defence does not act as selective agent against plumage polymorphism in brood parasites DOI
Marcel Honza, Gabriela Štětková, Milica Požgayová

et al.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2034)

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Batesian mimicry in brood parasites is often viewed as an evolutionary strategy to mitigate host aggression. Female common cuckoos ( Cuculus canorus ) exhibit two morphs: the hawk-like grey and rufous one, potentially maintained by apostatic selection. It was hypothesized that morph’s predator-like appearance deters defences, while morph benefits from its rarity evading attention. Previous research predominantly utilized static cuckoo dummies, lacking insights into real-world interactions. We investigated effectiveness of morphs accessing great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus nests under natural conditions. Analysing video-recorded attempts, we found no significant difference nest-access success between morphs. Both experienced a similar probability physical attacks when hosts were present, did not evade detection more compared with morph. These results fail support assumptions (a) mimicry, enhances nest access or reduces aggression, (b) selection, confers advantage successfully nest. Future should aim identify stages cuckoo’s life cycle interactions where colour polymorphism provides benefit.

Language: Английский

A shared gene but distinct dynamics regulate mimicry polymorphisms in closely related species DOI Creative Commons

Sofia I. Sheikh,

Meredith M. Doellman, Nicholas W. VanKuren

et al.

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

Published: March 4, 2025

Sex-limited polymorphisms, such as mating strategies in male birds and mimicry female butterflies, are widespread across the tree of life frequently adaptive. Considerable work has been done exploring ecological pressures evolutionary forces that generate maintain genetic variation resulting alternative sex-limited morphs, yet little is known about their molecular developmental basis. A powerful system to investigate this Papilio butterflies: within subgenus Menelaides, multiple closely related species have female-limited polymorphism, with females developing either derived mimetic or ancestral non-mimetic wing color patterns. While patterns different between species, each polymorphism controlled by allelic doublesex ( dsx ). Across several we found develop male-like when knockdown expression, establishing controls both sexual dimorphism polymorphism. We also alleles unique spatiotemporal expression two lowii alphenor. To uncover downstream genes involved pattern switch used RNA-seq P. compared results previous alphenor . some canonical patterning differentially expressed temporal differential notably different. Our indicate that, despite putative co-option shared use among functions through distinct underlying mechanisms. Understanding how a largely genome can encode potential morphs while simultaneously restricting one sex long interest biologists. This phenomenon, called widespread, occurring organisms like crustaceans, insects, fish, birds, mammals. Recent empirical begun identify controlling phenotypes, but differences programs leading those phenotypes remain unclear. Here classic example - swallowtail butterflies compare evolved same gene, , development morphs. Using combination functional experiments, show genetics function quite differently last common ancestor approximately 15 million years ago.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Yes, polygenic sex determination is a thing! DOI
Thomas D. Kocher, Richard P. Meisel, Tony Gamble

et al.

Trends in Genetics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Beyond genes‐for‐behaviour: The potential for genomics to resolve long‐standing questions in avian brood parasitism DOI Creative Commons
Katja Rönkä, Fabrice Eroukhmanoff, Jonna Kulmuni

et al.

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(11), P. 1 - 20

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Abstract Behavioural ecology by definition of its founding ‘Tinbergian framework’ is an integrative field, however, it lags behind in incorporating genomic methods. ‘Finding the gene/s for a behaviour’ still rarely feasible or cost‐effective wild but as we show here, data can be used to address broader questions. Here use avian brood parasitism, model system behavioural case study highlight how ecologists could full potential state‐of‐the‐art tools. Brood parasite–host interactions are one most easily observable and amenable natural laboratories antagonistic coevolution, such have intrigued evolutionary biologists decades. Using worked examples, demonstrate causes mechanisms (co)evolutionary adaptation answer three key questions field: (i) Where when should parasitism evolve?, (ii) When hosts defend?, (iii) Will coevolution persist with ecological change? In doing so, discuss molecular collaborate integrate Tinbergen's achieve coherent science that he promoted solve mysteries nature.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
SLRfinder: A method to detect candidate sex‐linked regions with linkage disequilibrium clustering DOI Creative Commons
Xueling Yi, Petri Kemppainen, Juha Merilä

et al.

Molecular Ecology Resources, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(6)

Published: June 8, 2024

Despite their critical roles in genetic sex determination, chromosomes remain unknown many non-model organisms, especially those having recently evolved sex-linked regions (SLRs). These evolutionarily young and labile are important for understanding early chromosome evolution but difficult to identify due the lack of Y/W degeneration SLRs limited small genomic regions. Here, we present SLRfinder, a method candidate using linkage disequilibrium (LD) clustering, heterozygosity divergence. SLRfinder does not rely on specific sequencing methods or type reference genome (e.g., from homomorphic sex). In addition, input require phenotypic sexes, which may be population sampling, information can incorporated is necessary validate SLRs. We tested various published datasets compared it local principal component analysis (PCA) depth-based Sex Assignment Through Coverage (SATC). As expected, PCA could used SATC works better conserved chromosomes, whereas outperforms analysing when harbour inversions. Power analyses showed that worked sampling more populations share same SLR. If one population, relatively larger sample size (around 50) needed sufficient statistical power detect significant SLR candidates, although true likely always top-ranked. provides novel complementary approach identifying uncovering additional diversity nature.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Host nest defence does not act as selective agent against plumage polymorphism in brood parasites DOI
Marcel Honza, Gabriela Štětková, Milica Požgayová

et al.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2034)

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Batesian mimicry in brood parasites is often viewed as an evolutionary strategy to mitigate host aggression. Female common cuckoos ( Cuculus canorus ) exhibit two morphs: the hawk-like grey and rufous one, potentially maintained by apostatic selection. It was hypothesized that morph’s predator-like appearance deters defences, while morph benefits from its rarity evading attention. Previous research predominantly utilized static cuckoo dummies, lacking insights into real-world interactions. We investigated effectiveness of morphs accessing great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus nests under natural conditions. Analysing video-recorded attempts, we found no significant difference nest-access success between morphs. Both experienced a similar probability physical attacks when hosts were present, did not evade detection more compared with morph. These results fail support assumptions (a) mimicry, enhances nest access or reduces aggression, (b) selection, confers advantage successfully nest. Future should aim identify stages cuckoo’s life cycle interactions where colour polymorphism provides benefit.

Language: Английский

Citations

0