Sökning: id:"swepub:oai:DiVA.org:su-31115" >
The evolution of al...
The evolution of alternative morphs: density-dependent determination of larval colour dimorphism in a butterfly
-
- Gotthard, Karl (författare)
- Stockholms universitet,Avdelningen för zoologisk ekologi,Gotthard
-
- Berger, David (författare)
- Stockholms universitet,Avdelningen för zoologisk ekologi,Gotthard
-
- Bergman, Martin (författare)
- Stockholms universitet,Avdelningen för zoologisk ekologi,Wiklund
-
visa fler...
-
- Merilata, Sami (författare)
- Stockholms universitet,Avdelningen för zoologisk ekologi,Merilaita
-
visa färre...
-
(creator_code:org_t)
- 2009-09-14
- 2009
- Engelska.
-
Ingår i: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0024-4066 .- 1095-8312. ; 98:2, s. 256-266
- Relaterad länk:
-
https://academic.oup...
-
visa fler...
-
https://urn.kb.se/re...
-
https://doi.org/10.1...
-
visa färre...
Abstract
Ämnesord
Stäng
- Understanding the ultimate causes for the presence of polymorphisms within populations requires knowledge of how the expression of discrete morphs is regulated. In the present study, we explored the determination mechanism of a colour dimorphism in larvae of the butterfly Pararge xiphia (Satyrinae: Nymphalidae) with the ultimate aim of understanding its potential adaptive value. Last-instar larvae of P. xiphia develop into either a green or a brown morph, although all individuals are invariably green during the preceding three instars. A series of laboratory experiments reveal that morph development is strongly environmentally dependent and not the result of alternative alleles at one locus. Photoperiod, temperature, and in particular larval density, all influenced morph determination. The strong effect of a high larval density in inducing the brown morph parallels other known cases of density-dependent melanization in Lepidopteran larvae. Because melanization is often correlated with increased immune function, this type of determination mechanism is expected to be adaptive. However, the ecology and behaviour of P. xiphia larvae suggests that increased camouflage under high-density conditions may be an additional adaptive explanation. We conclude that the colour dimorphism of P. xiphia larvae is determined by a developmental threshold that is influenced both by heredity and by environmental conditions, and that selection for increased immune function and camouflage under high-density conditions may be responsible for maintaining the dimorphism. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 98, 256–266.
Ämnesord
- NATURVETENSKAP -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)
- NATURAL SCIENCES -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)
Nyckelord
- developmental threshold
- melanization
- morph
- nymphalidae
- pararge
- plasticity
- polymorphism
- polyphenism
- satyrinae
- threshold trait.
- Terrestrial ecology
- Terrestrisk ekologi
- Ethology and behavioural ecology
- Etologi och beteendeekologi
- zoologisk ekologi
- Animal Ecology
Publikations- och innehållstyp
- ref (ämneskategori)
- art (ämneskategori)
Hitta via bibliotek
Till lärosätets databas