A1 Journal article (refereed)
Geographic mosaic of selection by avian predators on hindwing warning colour in a polymorphic aposematic moth (2020)
Rönkä, K., Valkonen, J. K., Nokelainen, O., Rojas, B., Gordon, S., Burdfield‐Steel, E., & Mappes, J. (2020). Geographic mosaic of selection by avian predators on hindwing warning colour in a polymorphic aposematic moth. Ecology Letters, 23(11), 1654-1663. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13597
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Rönkä, Katja; Valkonen, Janne K.; Nokelainen, Ossi; Rojas, Bibiana; Gordon, Swanne; Burdfield‐Steel, Emily; Mappes, Johanna
Journal or series: Ecology Letters
ISSN: 1461-023X
eISSN: 1461-0248
Publication year: 2020
Publication date: 02/09/2020
Volume: 23
Issue number: 11
Pages range: 1654-1663
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13597
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/71656
Web address of parallel published publication (pre-print): https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.08.032078v1
Abstract
Warning signals are predicted to develop signal monomorphism via positive frequency‐dependent selection (+FDS) albeit many aposematic systems exhibit signal polymorphism. To understand this mismatch, we conducted a large‐scale predation experiment in four countries, among which the frequencies of hindwing warning coloration of the aposematic moth, Arctia plantaginis, differ. Here we show that selection by avian predators on warning colour is predicted by local morph frequency and predator community composition. We found +FDS to be the strongest in monomorphic Scotland and lowest in polymorphic Finland, where the attack risk of moth morphs depended on the local avian community. +FDS was also found where the predator community was the least diverse (Georgia), whereas in the most diverse avian community (Estonia), hardly any models were attacked. Our results support the idea that spatial variation in predator communities alters the strength or direction of selection on warning signals, thus facilitating a geographic mosaic of selection.
Keywords: warning coloration; variation (biology); natural selection; prey; predators; wood tiger
Free keywords: aposematism; Arctia plantaginis; colour polymorphism; frequency‐dependent selection; predator–prey interactions; predators; signal convergence; signal variation; wood tiger moth
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions Research
- Mappes, Johanna
- Research Council of Finland
- Evolutionary Ecology of Communication
- Mappes, Johanna
- Research Council of Finland
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2020
JUFO rating: 3