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The appearance of mimetic Heliconius butterflies to predators and conspecifics.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Dell'Aglio, Denise Dalbosco  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2854-7054
Troscianko, Jolyon 
McMillan, W Owen 
Stevens, Martin 
Jiggins, Chris D 

Abstract

Adaptive coloration is under conflicting selection pressures: choosing potential mates and warning signaling against visually guided predators. Different elements of the color signal may therefore be tuned by evolution for different functions. We investigated how mimicry in four pairs of Heliconius comimics is potentially seen both from the perspective of butterflies and birds. Visual sensitivities of eight candidate avian predators were predicted through genetic analysis of their opsin genes. Using digital image color analysis, combined with bird and butterfly visual system models, we explored how predators and conspecifics may visualize mimetic patterns. Ultraviolet vision (UVS) birds are able to discriminate between the yellow and white colors of comimics better than violet vision (VS) birds. For Heliconius vision, males and females differ in their ability to discriminate comimics. Female vision and red filtering pigments have a significant effect on the perception of the yellow forewing band and the red ventral forewing pattern. A behavioral experiment showed that UV cues are used in mating behavior; removal of such cues was associated with an increased tendency to approach comimics as compared to conspecifics. We have therefore shown that visual signals can act to both reduce the cost of confusion in courtship and maintain the advantages of mimicry.

Description

Keywords

Aposematism, UV light, avian vision, butterfly vision, mating behavior, opsin, Animals, Biological Mimicry, Birds, Butterflies, Color Perception, Cues, Female, Food Chain, Male, Pigmentation, Sexual Behavior, Animal, Wings, Animal

Journal Title

Evolution

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0014-3820
1558-5646

Volume Title

72

Publisher

Wiley
Sponsorship
European Research Council (339873)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/G022887/1)
ERC, CAPES, STRI