Color-pattern evolution in response to environmental stress in butterflies.

Frontiers in Genetics
Atsuki HiyamaJoji M Otaki

Abstract

It is generally accepted that butterfly wing color-patterns have ecological and behavioral functions that evolved through natural selection. However, particular wing color-patterns may be produced physiologically in response to environmental stress, and they may lack significant function. These patterns would represent an extreme expression of phenotypic plasticity and can eventually be fixed genetically in a population. Here, three such cases in butterflies are concisely reviewed, and their possible mechanisms of genetic assimilation are discussed. First, a certain modified color-pattern of Vanessa indica induced by temperature treatments resembles the natural color-patterns of its closely related species of the genus Vanessa (sensu stricto). Second, a different type of color-pattern modification can be induced in Vanessa cardui as a result of a general stress response. This modified pattern is very similar to the natural color-pattern of its sister species Vanessa kershawi. Third, a field observation was reported, together with experimental support, to show that the color-pattern diversity of a regional population of Zizeeria maha increased at the northern range margin of this species in response to temperature stress. In the...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 30, 2015·Evolution & Development·Roohollah Abbasi, Jeffrey M Marcus
Feb 11, 2015·Zoological Science·Wataru TairaJoji M Otaki
Jun 25, 2015·PloS One·Yoshikazu Ohno, Joji M Otaki
Apr 22, 2017·The Journal of Heredity·Joji M Otaki, Wataru Taira
Feb 24, 2016·Bulletin of Entomological Research·N Singh Omkar
Aug 16, 2014·The Journal of Heredity·Wataru TairaJoji M Otaki
Apr 27, 2017·Scientific Reports·Krisztián KertészLászló Péter Biró

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BETA
environmental stress

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