Thermal melanism in ectotherms

Trullas, Susana Clusella; Wyk, J.H. van; Spotila, James R.

doi:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2007.01.013

Cited by 511 publications

(533 citation statements)

References 103 publications

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“…Our analyses show that black signals are highly variable both during the day and between weather conditions. A possible explanation for the use of black colors is that these enhance thermoregulatory processes in several insect species (True, 2003;Trullas et al, 2007), including ladybirds (de Jong et al, 1996). Despite the benefits of thermal melanism, the proportion of black coloration has also been found to affect predation rates (Hegna et al, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Color contrast and stability as key elements for effective warning signals

2014

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Vivid warning signals (aposematism) have evolved repeatedly throughout the animal kingdom. However, relatively few studies consider what makes an effective signal, in terms of preventing attack and promoting avoidance learning by predators. Signal form varies substantially among and sometimes within species, but there has also been apparent convergence on relatively few main color types. We aimed to determine why warning signals often combine red, orange, yellow, and black colors, and specifically to determine whether these colors provide highly salient and reliable visual signals under a range of environmental conditions. Using digital image analysis, we modeled ladybird (ladybug) coloration to an avian visual system. We calculated the contrast of several different ladybird species against an average green background, based on predicted opponent color channel responses in bird vision. Our results suggest that longwave colors (i.e., red, orange) are more contrasting than colors such as blue, against green natural backgrounds. Moreover, these colors yield relatively unchanging (stable) signals throughout the day and under different weather conditions. These analyses show how aposematic signals have evolved under selection to be more effective by being more conspicuous and reliable to the visual system of their potential avian predators.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Color contrast and stability as key elements for effective warning signals

2014

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“…5). This might be just coincidental, but some trade-off between melanism and alternative tactics should be taken into account (Talloen et al, 2004;Clusella-Trullas et al, 2007). For example, the greater flight ability of strain y compared to strain b might be because strain y can produce more heat by shivering its thoracic muscles (Heinrich, 1993).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many hypotheses are proposed to account for the role of melanism, such as thermoregulation, cryptic colouration, aposematism, protection from UV radiation, pathogen resistance and sexual selection (True, 2003;Clusella-Trullas et al, 2007, 2008. Above all, the thermal melanism hypothesis (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, some multivoltine insects exhibit a seasonal change in body colour, which seems to contribute to thermoregulation (Kingsolver, 1995;Van Dyck & Wiklund, 2002). Although there are many studies that support the adaptive significance of thermal melanism in insects (Clusella-Trullas et al, 2007), the role of melanism in thermoregulation in parasitoids has yet to be elucidated. According to the physical model of Stevenson (1985a, b), solar radiation and variation in body colour should have a smaller effect on the body temperatures of small insects weighing less than 10 mg, such as many parasitoid wasps, than of large insects, due to their more rapid loss of heat.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Causes of polymorphic melanism and its thermoregulatory function in a parasitoid wasp Meteorus pulchricornis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abe¹,

Nishimura²,

Maetô³

2013

Eur. J. Entomol.

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Abstract. We investigated the variation in body colour and its thermoregulatory function in Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid wasp of Spodoptera and other free-living lepidopteran larvae. We show that the body colour of adult wasps darkens when cocoons are kept at low temperatures. The range in the variation in colour, however, differs for different parts of the body and among uniparental (thelytokous) strains. This melanism enables these wasps to attain a body temperature in sunshine up to 2°C. Moreover, this small gain in body temperature can markedly increase the flight activity of wasps at low ambient temperatures. We conclude that the variation in body colour that resulted from rearing the cocoons at different temperatures enable the wasps to adapt to changing thermal environments. The ecological significance of the difference in the degree of melanism of the different strains is discussed.

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“…However, other climatic explanations that are not addressed in the study may explain these color patterns. For example, the thermal melanism hypothesis (TMH) suggests that if all else is equal, darker individuals may heat up faster and reach higher equilibrium temperatures than lighter individuals, providing a benefit in cooler conditions (Clusella-Trullas et al, 2007). Recently, the TMH has received support at several spatial scales in reptiles (Clusella-Trullas et al, 2008, 2009) and has also been demonstrated in many insect species (for example, Brakefield and Willmer, 1985;reviewed in Clusella-Trullas et al, 2007).…”

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confidence: 99%