A1 Journal article (refereed)
Transparency reduces predator detection in mimetic clearwing butterflies (2019)


Arias, M., Mappes, J., Desbois, C., Gordon, S., McClure, M., Elias, M., Nokelainen, O., & Gomez, D. (2019). Transparency reduces predator detection in mimetic clearwing butterflies. Functional Ecology, 33(6), 1110-1119. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13315


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Arias, Mónica; Mappes, Johanna; Desbois, Charlotte; Gordon, Swanne; McClure, Melanie; Elias, Marianne; Nokelainen, Ossi; Gomez, Doris

Journal or series: Functional Ecology

ISSN: 0269-8463

eISSN: 1365-2435

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 33

Issue number: 6

Pages range: 1110-1119

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13315

Research data link: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.17pk7v8

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/64527

Additional information: Data available from the Dryad Digital Repository.


Abstract

1. Predation is an important selective pressure, and some prey have evolved conspicuous warning signals that advertise unpalatability (i.e., aposematism) as an antipredator defence. Conspicuous colour patterns have been shown effective as warning signals, by promoting predator learning and memory. Unexpectedly, some butterfly species from the unpalatable tribe Ithomiini possess transparent wings, a feature rare on land but common in water, known to reduce predator detection.
2. We tested whether transparency of butterfly wings was associated with decreased detectability by predators, by comparing four butterfly species exhibiting different degrees of transparency, ranging from fully opaque to largely transparent. We tested our prediction using both wild birds and humans in behavioural experiments. Vision modelling predicted butterfly detectability to be similar for these two predator types.
3. In concordance with predictions, the most transparent species were almost never found first and were detected less often than the opaque species by both birds and humans, suggesting that transparency enhances crypsis. However, humans were able to learn to better detect the more transparent species over time.
4. Our study demonstrates for the first time that transparency on land likely decreases detectability by visual predators.


Keywords: protective coloration; warning coloration; transparency; Lepidoptera; milkweed butterflies; citizen science; experiment

Free keywords: aposematic; bird; crypsis; detectability; Ithomiini; vision modelling


Contributing organizations


Related projects


Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2019

JUFO rating: 2


Last updated on 2024-08-01 at 16:39