Predator selection on phenotypic variability of cryptic and aposematic moths

Ossi Nokelainen (), Sanni A. Silvasti, Sharon Y. Strauss, Niklas Wahlberg and Johanna Mappes ()
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Ossi Nokelainen: Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikki Biocenter 3, P.O. Box 65
Sanni A. Silvasti: Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35
Sharon Y. Strauss: Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California at Davis, 2320 Storer Hall, One Shields Avenue
Niklas Wahlberg: Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62
Johanna Mappes: Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikki Biocenter 3, P.O. Box 65

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Natural selection generally favours phenotypic variability in camouflaged organisms, whereas aposematic organisms are expected to evolve a more uniform warning coloration. However, no comprehensive analysis of the phenotypic consequences of predator selection in aposematic and cryptic species exists. Using state-of-the-art image analysis, we examine 2800 wing images of 82 moth species accessed via three online museum databases. We test whether anti-predator strategy (i.e., camouflage or aposematism) explains intraspecific variation in wing colour and pattern across northern hemisphere moths. In addition, we test two mutually non-exclusive, ecological hypotheses to explain variation in colour pattern: diel-activity or dietary-niche. In this work, taking into account phylogenetic relationships, moth phenotypic variability is best explained by anti-predator strategy with camouflaged moths being more variable in wing patterning than aposematic species.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45329-5

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