Evolution of signal diversity : predator-prey interactions and the maintenance of warning colour polymorphism in the wood tiger moth Arctia plantaginis
Aposematic organisms avoid predation by advertising defences with warning
signals. The theory of aposematism predicts warning signal uniformity, yet
variation in warning coloration is widespread. The chemically defended wood
tiger moth Arctia plantaginis shows both geographic variation and local
polymorphism in warning coloration. In this thesis, I studied whether predation
by local avian predators is driving the evolution of wood tiger moth warning
colours. The close relatives of the wood tiger moth designated here to genus
Arctia do not show similar colour polymorphism. The wood tiger moth is thus
apparently under evolutionary radiation and provides a natural laboratory for
observing current selection and studying the mechanisms leading to population
divergence. We found evidence of positive frequency-dependent selection as
predicted by aposematic theory, but the direction and strength of selection varied
geographically. Variation in predator behaviour and the quality and abundance
of alternative prey affected selection on wood tiger moth warning colour.
Experiments with wild-caught blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and great tits (Parus
major) indicate, that colour is of foremost importance in prey discrimination and
avoidance generalization. Birds did not generalize their learned avoidance
among morphs, but could generalize between vaguely similar prey species
showing similar warning colours. I conclude, that a) the evolution of wood tiger
moth warning coloration is driven by predation of local avian predators, b) the
direction of selection is affected by variation in predator and prey qualities at
different levels (from individuals to communities), which can contribute to the
maintenance of polymorphism, and that c) the strength of selection can vary
spatially and temporally, and be counterbalanced or overruled by other
evolutionary processes, promoting variation in warning colour.
...


Publisher
University of JyväskyläISBN
978-951-39-7281-3ISSN Search the Publication Forum
1456-9701Keywords
Metadata
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- Väitöskirjat [3296]
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