Male Bicyclus anynana Butterflies Choose Females on the Basis of Their Ventral UV-Reflective Eyespot Centers

Journal of Insect Science
Manizah HuqAntónia Monteiro

Abstract

Butterflies often use their dorsal and ventral wing color patterns for distinct signaling functions. Color patterns on hidden dorsal wing surfaces are often used in sexual signaling, while exposed ventral patterns are often used to ward off predator attacks. At rest, however, part of the ventral forewings are often hidden by the hindwings, allowing individuals to also use the patterns on this wing surface for sexual signaling. Here, we test this hypothesis in Bicyclus anynana (Butler, Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) butterflies by first determining the degree of sexual dimorphism in ventral forewing patterns, focusing on the eyespots, from both wet and dry season forms, and then testing the role of the larger ventral forewing eyespots of dry season females in male mate choice. We also test male investment in reproduction. We show that ventral forewing UV-reflective eyespot centers, in addition to dorsal forewing eyespot centers previously examined in this species, play a role in sexual signaling as males preferentially mated with females with their ventral eyespot centers intact instead of blocked with black paint. This male preference, however, did not translate into a detectable higher reproductive investment via a single mating to...Continue Reading

References

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Citations

Jan 13, 2021·Current Opinion in Genetics & Development·Patrícia Beldade, Antónia Monteiro
May 27, 2021·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Ian Z W ChanAntónia Monteiro

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