Complex dynamics underlie the evolution of imperfect wing pattern convergence in butterflies

Abstract

Adaptive radiation is characterized by rapid diversification that is strongly associated with ecological specialization. However, understanding the evolutionary mechanisms fueling adaptive diversification requires a detailed knowledge of how natural selection acts at multiple life-history stages. Butterflies within the genus Adelpha represent one of the largest and most diverse butterfly lineages in the Neotropics. Although Adelpha species feed on an extraordinary diversity of larval hosts, convergent evolution is widespread in this group, suggesting that selection for mimicry may contribute to adaptive divergence among species. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted predation studies in Costa Rica using artificial butterfly facsimiles. Specifically, we predicted that nontoxic, palatable Adelpha species that do not feed on host plants in the family Rubiaceae would benefit from sharing a locally convergent wing pattern with the presumably toxic Rubiaceae-feeding species via reduced predation. Contrary to expectations, we found that the presumed mimic was attacked significantly more than its locally convergent model at a frequency paralleling attack rates on both novel and palatable prey. Although these data reveal the first evidence for protection from avian predators by the supposed toxic, Rubiaceae-feeding Adelpha species, we conclude that imprecise mimetic patterns have high costs for Batesian mimics in the tropics.

Subtle variation in size and shape of the whole forewing and the red band among co‐mimics revealed by geometric morphometric analysis in Heliconius butterflies

“…In the MANOVA results (Table ), the differences in shape are related to the interaction between sex and groups, suggesting that sexes and geographic groups result in different shape (Table ). Co‐mimetic species may, in fact, benefit from the presence of other co‐mimics, even when these are slightly dissimilar (Rowe et al., ; Ihalainen, Lindström, & Mappes, ; Rowland, Ihalainen, Lindström, Mappes, & Speed, ; Merót et al., 2016; Finkbeiner, Briscoe, & Mullen, ). In the area of Brazil where we conducted this study, there are other members of the postman mimicry ring that occur at low densities, for example, Eresia lansdorfi (Nymphalidae).…”

Testing the adaptive hypothesis of Batesian mimicry among hybridizing North American admiral butterflies

“…Facsimile construction followed Finkbeiner et. al (, ) with some modification. Butterfly facsimile design was based on high resolution dorsal‐view images of wild‐caught butterflies in an open‐winged posture, imported into Adobe® Photoshop, and adjusted for color accuracy.…”

“…Images were printed onto Grade 1 Whatman filter paper sheets (#1001‐931), which produces spectral reflectance similar to the brightness of actual wings (Finkbeiner et al. , ). Facsimiles were double‐printed using an Epson Stylus Pro 4900 printer and UltraChrome® High Dynamic Range ink.…”

“…warning coloration (Brower 1958a, b;Huheey 1980;Ruxton et al 2004;Exnerová et al 2015), and therefore avoid palatable mimics, field-based tests of Batesian mimicry theory are far less common (but see: Jeffords et al 1979;Hetz and Slobodchikoff 1988;Winand et al 1993;Pfennig et al 2001Pfennig et al , 2007Howarth et al 2004;Rashed and Sherratt 2007;Finkbeiner et al 2017Finkbeiner et al , 2018.…”

Experimental field tests of Batesian mimicry in the swallowtail butterfly Papilio polytes

“…These experiments allow for precise manipulation of artificial models in order to test specific hypotheses about how mimicry phenotypes, or parts thereof, may experience differential predation. The artificial prey method has been implemented in diverse butterfly systems to address the relationship between wing patterning and predation (Dell'Aglio, Stevens, & Jiggins, 2016; Finkbeiner, Briscoe, & Mullen, 2017; Finkbeiner, Briscoe, & Reed, 2012, 2014; Finkbeiner, Fishman, Osorio, & Briscoe, 2017; Ho, Schachat, Piel, & Monteiro, 2016; Merrill et al., 2012; Seymoure & Aiello, 2015; Wee & Monteiro, 2017). In this study, we applied the artificial prey method to study how female‐limited Batesian mimicry operates in wild populations.…”