 |
|
 |
|
Tuesday "Noon" Seminar : Oct. 3Katy Prudic on "The signal environment and the evolution of aposematic coloration"
12:30-1:45 p.m. in Biosciences West (map of building location), Room 208 |
|
Talk Abstract Warning, or aposematic, coloration is a visual signal minimizing contact between predator and unprofitable prey. The conditions favoring the evolution of aposematic coloration remain largely unidentified. Recent work suggests that diet specialization and resultant toxicity may play a role in facilitating the evolution and persistence of warning coloration. Using a phylogenetic approach, we investigated the evolution of larval warning coloration in the butterfly genus Papilio (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). Our results indicate there are at least four independent origins of aposematic larval coloration within Papilio. Controlling for phylogenetic relatedness among Papilio taxa, we found no evidence supporting the hypothesis that either diet specialization or chemical specialization facilitated the origin of aposematic larvae. However, there was a significant relationship between signal environment and the evolution of aposematic larvae. Specifically, Papilio lineages feeding on herbaceous or small leaved plants, regardless of the plants’ taxonomic affiliation, were more likely to evolve aposematic larvae than were lineages feeding only on trees/shrubs or large leaved plants. These results demonstrate that factors other than diet specialization, such as the signal environment of predator-prey interactions, may play a large role in the initial evolution and persistence of aposematic coloration. |
email the department 
email EEB tech support
email the webmaster EEB Help 
Search EEB
About EEB All contents copyright © 2003-2006 Arizona Board of Regents. All rights reserved. |