Visual and chemical signalling in butterflies: functional and phylogenetic perspectives

1993 ◽  
Vol 340 (1292) ◽  
pp. 197-205 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Visual Signals ◽  
Mate Location ◽  
General Context ◽  
Signal Functions ◽  
Chemical Signalling ◽  
Colour Patterns ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Signalling Systems

The two major signal functions for adult butterflies are protection against predators and intraspecific communication. Protective use of colour patterns (e.g. aposematism, crypsis) is mainly directed against visually hunting vertebrate predators. Mate location in butterflies is effected through behavioural adaptations of both sexes, and long-range visual searching by males. Recognition and selection of mates at close-range is largely controlled by species-specific male pheromone components, although other signals (e.g. colour, movement) play the initial role. Increased elaboration of pheromones for specific signalling has been hypothesized where the design of visual signals is constrained by defensive functions involving pattern convergence (co-mimicry). Male pheromones are also important for trait signalling, often being decisive in female mate choice. The general context of visual and olfactory signals in butterfly communication is discussed using specific examples, including Amauris . Their low divergence in colour patterns contrasts with great differentiation in the chemistry of their scent-organ volatiles. Models for the evolution of chemical signalling systems in these mimetic butterflies are compared and assessed. A more complete understanding of the evolution and function of butterfly signalling systems will require renewed effort in a number of areas. These include integrated studies on the use and significance of colours and scents, the measurement of colour, chemical analyses of pheromone bouquets, genetics, and receptor physiology. All of this work will need to be put in a better comparative framework through cladistic analysis of a wider variety of biologically contrasted butterfly groups, including previously studied cases lacking a rigorous phylogenetic perspective.

scholarly journals Female butterflies prefer males bearing bright iridescent ornamentation

2007 ◽  
Vol 274 (1613) ◽  
pp. 1043-1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darrell J Kemp
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Sex Recognition ◽  
Female Mate ◽  
Wing Colour ◽  
Enclosure Experiments ◽  
Colour Patterns

Butterflies are among nature's most colourful animals, and provide a living showcase for how extremely bright, chromatic and iridescent coloration can be generated by complex optical mechanisms. The gross characteristics of male butterfly colour patterns are understood to function for species and/or sex recognition, but it is not known whether female mate choice promotes visual exaggeration of this coloration. Here I show that females of the sexually dichromatic species Hypolimnas bolina prefer conspecific males that possess bright iridescent blue/ultraviolet dorsal ornamentation. In separate field and enclosure experiments, using both dramatic and graded wing colour manipulations, I demonstrate that a moderate qualitative reduction in signal brightness and chromaticity has the same consequences as removing the signal entirely. These findings validate a long-held hypothesis, and argue for the importance of intra- versus interspecific selection as the driving force behind the exaggeration of bright, iridescent butterfly colour patterns.

Experimental analysis of the control of expression of the homeobox-gene Msx-1 in the developing limb and face

Development ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Brown ◽  
S.E. Wedden ◽  
G.H. Millburn ◽  
L.G. Robson ◽  
R.E. Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Host Tissue ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Limb Mesenchyme ◽  
The Face ◽  
Mesenchyme Cells ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Signalling Systems ◽  
Control Of Expression

Mouse mesenchyme was grafted into chick embryos to investigate the control of mesenchymal expression of Msx-1 in the developing limb and face. In situ hybridization, using species-specific probes, allows a comparison between Msx-1 expression in the graft and the host tissue. The results show that Msx-1 expression in both limb-to-limb and face-to-face grafts corresponds closely with the level of Msx-1 expression in the surrounding chick mesenchyme. Cells in grafts that end up within the host domain of Msx-1 express the gene irrespective of whether they were from normally expressing, or non-expressing, regions. Therefore Msx-1 expression in both the developing limb and the developing face appears to be position-dependent. Mesenchyme from each of the three major facial primordia behaved in the same way when grafted to the chick maxillary primordium. Reciprocal grafts between face and limb gave a different result: Msx-1 expression was activated when facial mesenchyme was grafted to the limb but not when limb mesenchyme was grafted to the face. This suggests either that there are quantitative or qualitative differences in two local signalling systems or that additional factors determine the responsiveness of the mesenchyme cells.

scholarly journals Female adult puncture-induced plant volatiles promote mating success of the pea leafminer via enhancing vibrational signals

2019 ◽  
Vol 374 (1767) ◽  
pp. 20180318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Ge ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Junnan Yang ◽  
Jianing Wei ◽  
Le Kang
Keyword(s):  
Mating Success ◽  
Plant Volatiles ◽  
Sexual Communication ◽  
Green Leaf Volatiles ◽  
Mate Location ◽  
Leaf Volatiles ◽  
Induced Plant Volatiles ◽  
Vibrational Signals ◽  
Behavioural Tests ◽  
Species Specific

Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) synergize with the sex pheromones of herbivorous insects to facilitate mate location. However, the synergism of HIPVs and acoustic signals for sexual communication remains unknown. Here, we investigated the synergy between HIPVs and vibrational duets for sexual communication and mating in the pea leafminer ( Liriomyza huidobrensis ). Our results indicated that adult leafminers do not produce species-specific pheromone, and female-puncture-induced plant volatiles facilitate the attraction of both sexes to host plant leaves and sexual encounters. Insect-derived cues do not participate in mate locations. Both sexes do not produce qualitatively different cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), and CHCs from females cannot elicit the antennal and behavioural responses of males. By contrast, induced green leaf volatiles, terpenoids and oximes elicit dramatic antennal responses in both sexes. Electrophysiological and behavioural tests consistently showed that the volatiles (Z)-3-hexenol and (Z)-3-hexenyl-acetate elicited the most intense gas chromatographic-electroantennographic responses, and attracted males and females. Remarkably, these volatiles significantly promoted the occurrence of vibrational duets between the sexes, thereby increasing the mating success of leafminers. Therefore, the synergism of HIPVs and vibrational signals largely promoted the mating success of leafminers, suggesting an alternative control strategy through precision trapping for non-pheromone-producing insects. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Biotic signalling sheds light on smart pest management’.

scholarly journals Female and male visually based mate preferences are consistent with reproductive isolation between populations of the Lake Malawi endemic Labeotropheus fuelleborni

2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Pauers ◽  
Timothy J. Ehlinger ◽  
Jeffrey S. McKinnon
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Courtship Behavior ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Lake Malawi ◽  
Mate Preferences ◽  
Visual Signals ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Haplochromine Cichlids

Abstract Sexual selection via female mate choice is thought to have played a key role in the speciation of haplochromine cichlids, but a dominant role for visual signals in such processes has lately been called into question. In addition, the possible role of male mating preferences in haplochromine speciation has been little studied. We studied patterns of both female and male mate choice, based exclusively on visual signals, in order to evaluate potential reproductive isolation between two populations of the Lake Malawi haplochromine Labeotropheus fuelleborni. In the first experiment, females were allowed to choose between two males, one from the same population and the other allopatric with respect to the female. Females in this experiment responded more frequently to males from their own population. Similarly, the males in these trials displayed more frequently when presented with females of their own population. In the second experiment, a female was allowed to choose between two males, either both from her own population or both allopatric. In these trials, both males and females from the Katale population interacted significantly more frequently in settings in which all three individuals were from the same population (“same-population trios”), and those from the Chipoka population showed a similar trend. Thus, patterns in both male and female courtship behavior suggest that visual signals contribute to at least incipient reproductive isolation between populations of L. fuelleborni.

The colouration and its behavioural significance in the corkwing wrasse, Crenilabrus melops

1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 925-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Potts
Keyword(s):  
Functional Significance ◽  
Mature Male ◽  
The Body ◽  
Visual Signals ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Vertical Bars ◽  
Mature Fish ◽  
Colour Patterns ◽  
Behavioural Significance

The colour patterns of the corkwing wrasse Crenilabrus melops and the functional significance of these patterns has been described. The resting colours of the fish are described for juveniles, mature males and mature females. These colour patterns assist in making the fish less conspicuous in their natural environment. Agonist behaviour is characterized by the development of a series of vertical bars on the body together with ritualized lateral and frontal displays in aggressive, and a head-up submissive posture in fright situations. Most aggressive behaviour is associated with the territorial activity of the mature male. Courtship and spawning activities involve a complex series of visual signals that synchronize the roles played by the male and female. The differences in colouration between juvenile and mature fish and the changes any individual can display have wrongly lead earlier authors to split C. melops into different species or varieties.

scholarly journals Male sex pheromone components in Heliconius butterflies released by the androconia affect female choice

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy Darragh ◽  
Sohini Vanjari ◽  
Florian Mann ◽  
Maria F. Gonzalez-Rojas ◽  
Colin R. Morrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Pheromone ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Male Sex Pheromone ◽  
Male Pheromones ◽  
Chemical Signalling ◽  
Heliconius Melpomene ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Male Sex

Sex-specific pheromones are known to play an important role in butterfly courtship, and may influence both individual reproductive success and reproductive isolation between species. Extensive ecological, behavioural and genetic studies of Heliconius butterflies have made a substantial contribution to our understanding of speciation. Male pheromones, although long suspected to play an important role, have received relatively little attention in this genus. Here, we combine morphological, chemical and behavioural analyses of male pheromones in the Neotropical butterfly Heliconius melpomene. First, we identify putative androconia that are specialized brush-like scales that lie within the shiny grey region of the male hindwing. We then describe putative male sex pheromone compounds, which are largely confined to the androconial region of the hindwing of mature males, but are absent in immature males and females. Finally, behavioural choice experiments reveal that females of H. melpomene, H. erato and H. timareta strongly discriminate against conspecific males which have their androconial region experimentally blocked. As well as demonstrating the importance of chemical signalling for female mate choice in Heliconius butterflies, the results describe structures involved in release of the pheromone and a list of potential male sex pheromone compounds.

scholarly journals Male pheromone composition depends on larval but not adult diet in Heliconius melpomene

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy Darragh ◽  
Kelsey J.R.P. Byers ◽  
Richard M. Merrill ◽  
W. Owen McMillan ◽  
Stefan Schulz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Significance ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Pheromone Production ◽  
Secondary Sexual Traits ◽  
Honest Signals ◽  
Chemical Signalling ◽  
Larval Host ◽  
Heliconius Melpomene ◽  
Chemical Profiles ◽  
Adult Diet

AbstractCondition-dependent traits can act as honest signals of mate quality, with fitter individuals able to display preferred phenotypes. Nutrition is known to be an important determinant of individual condition, with diet known to affect many secondary sexual traits. In Heliconius butterflies, male chemical signalling plays an important role in female mate choice. Heliconius pheromones are sexually dimorphic, found only in mature males, but it is unclear what information they convey to the female. Here, we manipulate both the larval and adult diet of male Heliconius melpomene rosina to test for environmental effects on wing and genital pheromone production. We find no evidence that adult pollen consumption affects pheromone production in the first ten days after eclosion. We also find strong overlap in the chemical profiles of individuals reared on different larval host plants. However, individual compounds were found in different amounts between host plant treatments. Further electrophysiological and behavioural experiments will be needed to determine the biological significance of these differences.

scholarly journals Visual signal evolution along complementary color axes in four bird lineages

Biology Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. bio052316
Author(s):  
Anand Krishnan ◽  
Avehi Singh ◽  
Krishnapriya Tamma
Keyword(s):  
Color Space ◽  
The Body ◽  
Color Variation ◽  
Visual Signals ◽  
Visual Signal ◽  
Chromatic Contrast ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
Complementary Color ◽  
Line Passing ◽  
Species Specific

ABSTRACTAvian color patterns function in varied behavioral contexts, most being produced by only a handful of mechanisms including feather nanostructures and pigments. Within a clade, colors may not occupy the entire available space, and incorporating complementary colors may increase the contrast and efficacy of visual signals. Here, we describe plumage patterns in four ecologically and phylogenetically diverse bird families to test whether they possess complementary colors. We present evidence that plumage colors in each clade cluster along a line in tetrachromatic color space. Additionally, we present evidence that in three of these clades, this line contains colors on opposite sides of a line passing through the achromatic point (putatively complementary colors, presenting higher chromatic contrast). Finally, interspecific color variation over at least some regions of the body is not constrained by phylogenetic relatedness. By describing plumage patterns in four diverse lineages, we add to the growing body of literature suggesting that the diversity of bird visual signals is constrained. Further, we tentatively hypothesize that in at least some clades possessing bright colors, species-specific plumage patterns may evolve by swapping the distributions of a complementary color pair. Further research on other bird clades may help confirm whether these patterns are general across bird families.

scholarly journals Visual signalling by asymmetry: a review of perceptual processes

1999 ◽  
Vol 354 (1388) ◽  
pp. 1383-1393 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Swaddle
Keyword(s):  
Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽  
Visual Signals ◽  
Focus Attention ◽  
Fitness Parameters ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Perfect Symmetry ◽  
Experimental Protocols ◽  
Axis Of Symmetry ◽  
Visual Signalling ◽  
Signalling Systems

Individual levels of asymmetry in traits that display fluctuating asymmetry could be used as visual signals of phenotypic (and perhaps genotypic) quality, as asymmetry can often be negatively related to fitness parameters. There are some data to support this hypothesis but the experimental protocols employed have commonly resulted in asymmetries far larger than those observed in nature. To date, there has been little consideration of the ability of animals to accurately discriminate small asymmetries (of the magnitude observed in the wild) from perfect symmetry. This is key to assessing the plausibility of the asymmetry-signalling hypothesis. Here, I review the perceptual processes that may lead to the discrimination of asymmetry and discuss a number of ecologically elevant factors that may influence asymmetry signalling. These include: signal orientation, distance of trait elements from the axis of symmetry, trait complexity, trait contrast and colour, and the behaviour of both signaller and receiver. I also discuss the evolution of symmetry preferences and make suggestions as to where researchers should focus attention to examine the generality of asymmetry-signalling theory. In highly developmentally stable signalling systems the magnitude of asymmetry may be too small to be detected accurately and reliably, hence asymmetry signalling is unlikely to have evolved in these situations.

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