Is polymorphism in two-spot ladybird an example of non-industrial melanism?

Benham, Brian R.; Lonsdale, David; Muggleton, J.

doi:10.1038/249179a0

Cited by 38 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…This is somewhat lower than, but in the same direction as, the corresponding correlations shown in Britain (Muggleton, Lonsdale & Benham 1975). It is consistent with the theory of thermal melanism which predicts that melanic beetles are favoured in conditions of low sunshine because of a more efficient absorption of solar radiation (Lusis 1961;Benham, Lonsdale & Muggleton 1974;Muggleton, Lonsdale & Benham 1975;Brakefield & Willmer 1984). There are, however, stronger relationships with other climatic variables in the study area.…”

Section: Climatic Correlationssupporting

confidence: 60%

Ecological Studies on the Polymorphic Ladybird Adalia bipunctata in the Netherlands. I. Population Biology and Geographical Variation of Melanism

Brakefield¹

1984

The Journal of Animal Ecology

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SUMMARY(1) Samples of the polymorphic two-spot ladybird Adalia bipunctata were collected at seventy-five sites in the Netherlands and northern Belgium. Most sites were on four transects up to 120 km long. Sequential sampling at thirteen sites was used to examine basic population biology.(2) Shrubs, especially Rosa rugosa and Crataegus spp., provide feeding and mating habitats in late April and May following hibernation. Some oviposition may also occur. Adults disperse from mid-May to trees, particularly Tilia spp., which are the principal habitats for egg laying in many populations. At some sites in some years a substantial second, late summer or autumn generation occurs. Reproduction probably tends to occur earlier inland than on the coast. There are differences in timing between years.(3) Frequencies of melanics are 1-15% in the north-west and >50% inland in the south-east. Steep clines occur over part of the transition between these regions, possibly due to a partial barrier to gene flow. Frequency changes were probably more marked for the quadrimaculata than the sexpustulata melanic morph.(4) Among the correlations between melanic frequency and climatic variables are negative ones with an index of oceanity, relative humidity and length of sunshine. The last is consistent with thermal melanism. The interpretation of the relationships with environmental variables is discussed.

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Section: Climatic Correlationssupporting

confidence: 60%

Ecological Studies on the Polymorphic Ladybird Adalia bipunctata in the Netherlands. I. Population Biology and Geographical Variation of Melanism

Brakefield¹

1984

The Journal of Animal Ecology

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“…In Adalia bipunctata LINNE, which is widely distributed in Europe, melanie and non-melanie morphs have been recognized and interpreted as an adaptation to varying thermal environments within the geographical distribution of the species ('thermal melanism ', Lusis, 1961;Benham et a!., 1974;Muggleton et a!., 1975;Creed, 1975;Brakefield, 1984a,b;Brakefield & Willmer, 1985;Brakefield & Lees, 1987;Stewart & Dixon, 1989) or as a mechanism to reduce the non-melanie frequency by toxic substances of the polluted air in industrial areas ('industrial melanism ', Creed, 1966', Creed, , 1971a', Creed, ,b, 1974Lees et a!., 1973;Bishop et a!., 1978). In north-eastern Asia, Apart from external factors, such as thermal and industrial stresses, which can effect polymorphic characters, non-random mating among different morphs constitutes an important mechanism affecting the maintenance of polymorphism in a population, with different patterns of mating being associated with different fitness consequences (Partridge & Halliday, 1984).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal variation in elytral colour polymorphism in Harmonia axyridis (the ladybird beetle): the role of non-random mating

1992

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Seasonal variation in the frequency of elytral colour polymorphism in the ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis, was analysed through the combination of field observations and laboratory mate-choice experiments. Field observations involving daily mark-recapture of a local population revealed an overall preponderance of melanie morphs in the population, but the proportion of nonmelanics notably increased from spring to summer due to their higher frequency of mating among different morphs of the spring generation. In the laboratory experiments, both melanie and nonmelanic females preferentially chose non-melanic males in spring, but non-melanics were less successful at mating than melanics in summer. Therefore, the relative frequencies of melanics and non-melanics within a population vary throughout the seasons, with non-melanics increasing in proportion towards summer and decreasing thereafter. Laboratory experiments revealed that nonrandom mating among morphs is the basis of this variation, with females and, to a lesser degree, males being involved in the process of mate selection. The results of an artificial colour-change experiment indicate that male elytral colour is an important factor in female mate selection but other factors such as behaviour and chemical cues must also be involved.

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“…Melanic forms can reach a higher body temperature than non-melanic forms (De Jong et al, 1996). Consequently they can reach higher metabolic rate and biological activity (Digby, 1955;Lusis, 1961;Dixon, 1972;Benham et al, 1974;Muggleton et al, 1975;Willmer & Unwin, 1981;Brakefield & Willmer, 1985;Stewart & Dixon, 1989;De Jong et al, 1996).…”

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confidence: 99%

Fitness of two phenotypes of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Soares¹,

Coderre²,

Schanderl³

2001

Eur. J. Entomol.

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Abstract.The coccinellid H. axyridis shows considerable intraspecific variability of elytral patterns. In this paper, we suggest that a genotype that confers a specific pattern of elytra could also confer other specific autecological attributes. The aim of this paper is to compare fitness parameters of two phenotypes (aulica and nigra). Aulica is a common morph characterized by two light red areas that nearly cover the whole elytra, leaving a narrow black border, whereas nigra is completely black; the latter is a rare morph that was naturally obtained from mass cultures. Intraspecific differences occur between H. axyridis phenotypes. The aulica phenotype is more voracious than nigra. Consumption rate of males is higher in aulica than in nigra, but there is no difference for females. Larval biomass of aulica is generally higher than that of nigra. The maximum body-weights reached by larval instars and adults are signifi cantly higher for aulica. Aulica also has greater longevity and reproductive capacity. Only life stage duration of eggs and pre-pupae differ between the two phenotypes. Nigra shows lower fecundity and fertility. Our study showed that the strong differences in phenotype traits of the coccinellid H. axyridis could affect its fitness.

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Is polymorphism in two-spot ladybird an example of non-industrial melanism?

Cited by 38 publications

References 8 publications

Ecological Studies on the Polymorphic Ladybird Adalia bipunctata in the Netherlands. I. Population Biology and Geographical Variation of Melanism

Ecological Studies on the Polymorphic Ladybird Adalia bipunctata in the Netherlands. I. Population Biology and Geographical Variation of Melanism

Seasonal variation in elytral colour polymorphism in Harmonia axyridis (the ladybird beetle): the role of non-random mating

Fitness of two phenotypes of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

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