A1 Journal article (refereed)
Predator-Induced Plasticity on Warning Signal and Larval Life-History Traits of the Aposematic Wood Tiger Moth, Arctia plantaginis (2021)

Abondano Almeida, D., Mappes, J., & Gordon, S. (2021). Predator-Induced Plasticity on Warning Signal and Larval Life-History Traits of the Aposematic Wood Tiger Moth, Arctia plantaginis. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9, Article 658177. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.658177

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Publication details

All authors or editors: Abondano Almeida, Diana; Mappes, Johanna; Gordon, Swanne

Journal or series: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

eISSN: 2296-701X

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 25/06/2021

Volume: 9

Article number: 658177

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.658177

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77014

Additional information: CORRECTION article : Front. Ecol. Evol., 29 July 2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.737651

Abstract

Predator-induced plasticity in life-history and antipredator traits during the larval period has been extensively studied in organisms with complex life-histories. However, it is unclear whether different levels of predation could induce warning signals in aposematic organisms. Here, we investigated whether predator-simulated handling affects warning coloration and life-history traits in the aposematic wood tiger moth larva, Arctia plantaginis. As juveniles, a larger orange patch on an otherwise black body signifies a more efficient warning signal against predators but this comes at the costs of conspicuousness and thermoregulation. Given this, one would expect that an increase in predation risk would induce flexible expression of the orange patch. Prior research in this system points to plastic effects being important as a response to environmental changes for life history traits, but we had yet to assess whether this was the case for predation risk, a key driver of this species evolution. Using a full-sib rearing design, in which individuals were reared in the presence and absence of a non-lethal simulated bird attack, we evaluated flexible responses of warning signal size (number of orange segments), growth, molting events, and development time in wood tiger moths. All measured traits except development time showed a significant response to predation. Larvae from the predation treatment developed a more melanized warning signal (smaller orange patch), reached a smaller body size, and molted more often. Our results suggest plasticity is indeed important in aposematic organisms, but in this case may be complicated by the trade-off between costly pigmentation and other life-history traits.

Keywords: warning coloration; phenotype; adaptation (change); predation; life cycle (natural science); larvae; Lepidoptera; wood tiger

Free keywords: plastic response; aposematism; melanization; coloration; Lepidoptera; larva; costs; maladaptation

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Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1