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50 results for “evolution of mimicry”
Thistle-down velvet ants in the Desert Mimicry Ring and the evolution of white coloration: Müllerian mimicry, camouflage, and thermal ecology
Adaptive coloration among animals is one of the most recognizable outcomes of natural selection. Here we investigate evolutionary drivers of white coloration in velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), which has previously been considered camouflage with the fruit of creosote bush. Our analyses indicate instead that velvet ants evolved white coloration millions of years before creosote bush was widespread in North America's hot deserts. Furthermore, velvet ants and the creosote fruit exhibit different spectral reflectance patterns, which appear distinct to potential insectivorous predators. While the white coloration in velvet ants likely did not evolve as camouflage, we find that white-colored species remain cooler than their red/orange relatives, and therefore we infer the white coloration likely evolved in response to Neogene desertification. This study shows the importance of cross-disciplinary investigation and the importance of testing multiple hypotheses when investigating evolutionary drivers of adaptive coloration.
Hybridization constrains the evolution of mimicry complexes in woodpeckers
<p>The evolution of interspecific mimicry does not always result in perfect resemblance between mimics and models. Differences between members of a mimicry complex can be explained by genetic or developmental constraints. Alternatively, imperfect mimicry might be the outcome of a trade-off between multiple selective pressures. In this study, we explored the evolutionary conflict between mimicry and hybridization in woodpeckers. Based on the selective trade-off hypothesis, we expected that mimicry complexes will start to evolve once the constraint of maladaptive hybridization is relaxed. Hence, we predicted limited overlap in the divergence times between hybridizing species pairs and members of a mimicry complex. This prediction was supported by clear tipping point in the probability of hybridization and mimicry at ca. 9 million years of divergence. Around this timepoint, the probability of hybridization approaches zero while the probability of belonging to a mimicry complex increases. This finding is only correlational and remains to be confirmed in other taxonomic groups. Nonetheless, our results suggest a selective trade-off between evolving interspecific mimicry and avoiding maladaptive hybridization in woodpeckers.</p>
FIGURE 1. Myrmecium fuscum Dahl, 1907 in Myrmecium colombianum (Poinar, 2024) n. comb.-the second known fossilized castianeirine spider, illustration of a further specimen of Myrmecium in Colombian copal and notes on transformational ant mimicry and evolution of the genus
FIGURE 1. Myrmecium fuscum Dahl, 1907, female, Chairo, La Paz Department, Bolivia: A. Lateral view, arrow indicates the large hump over leg IV insertion which is characteristic of the species group; B. Dorsal view, arrows indicate the three deep lateral carapace constrictions, diagnostic feature for the genus; scale bars 1 mm. C. Dorsal habitus of minor worker of Crematogaster sp., possible model of juvenile Myrmecium sp., Villa Tunari, Bolivia. D. Dorsal habitus of juvenile of Myrmecium sp. in Colombian copal (no further information available; photo source: FossilEra (2024), copyright Matt Heaton). Ontogenetic transformation in Myrmecium bifasciatum Taczanowski, 1874, Villa Tunari, Bolivia: E. Dorsal habitus of juvenile, length between 2–3 mm, recently hatched from the egg sac, the abdomen becomes more Crematogaster-like (teardrop-shaped) after feeding; F. Dorsal habitus of mother, length about 7 mm.
Parallel evolution of ancient, pleiotropic enhancers underlies butterfly wing pattern mimicry
Color pattern mimicry in Heliconius butterflies is a classic case study of complex trait adaptation via selection on a few large effect genes. Association studies have linked color pattern variation to a handful of noncoding regions, yet the presumptive cis-regulatory elements (CREs) that control color patterning remain unknown. Here we combine chromatin assays, DNA sequence associations, and genome editing to functionally characterize 5 cis-regulatory elements of the color pattern gene optix. We were surprised to find that the cis-regulatory architecture of optix is characterized by pleiotropy and regulatory fragility, where deletion of individual cis-regulatory elements has broad effects on both color pattern and wing vein development. Remarkably, we found orthologous cis-regulatory elements associate with wing pattern convergence of distantly related comimics, suggesting that parallel coevolution of ancestral elements facilitated pattern mimicry. Our results support a model of color pattern evolution in Heliconius where changes to ancient, multifunctional cis-regulatory elements underlie adaptive radiation.
Data for: Mapping the evolution of accurate Batesian mimicry of social wasps in hoverflies
<p>Hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) provide an excellent opportunity to study the evolution of Batesian mimicry, where defenceless prey avoid predation by evolving to resemble defended 'model' species. While some hoverflies beautifully resemble their hymenopteran models, others seem to be poor mimics or are apparently non-mimetic. The reasons for this variation are still enigmatic despite decades of research. Here, we address this issue by mapping social-wasp mimicry across the phylogeny of Holarctic hoverflies. Using the 'distance transform' technique, we calculate an objective measure of the abdominal pattern similarity between 167 hoverfly species and a widespread putative model, the social wasp, <em>Vespula germanica</em>. We find that good wasp mimicry has evolved several times, and may have also been lost, leading to the presence of non-mimics deep within clades of good mimics. Body size was positively correlated with similarity to the model, supporting previous findings that smaller species are often poorer mimics. Additionally, univoltine species were less accurate wasp mimics than multivoltine and bivoltine species. Hence, variation in the accuracy of Batesian mimics may reflect variation in the opportunity for selection caused by differences in prey value or signal perception (influenced by body size) and phenology or generation time (influenced by voltinism).</p>
Figs. 41–44. Possible Batesian mimicry. 41 in Classification, Natural History, and Evolution of the Subfamily Peloniinae (Coleoptera: Cleroidea: Cleridae). Part XII. Taxonomic Revision of the South American Genus Lasiodera Gray
Figs. 41–44. Possible Batesian mimicry. 41) Lasiodera kirbyi; 42) Enoclerus obliquevittis; 43) Haplomutilla spinosa (Mutillidae); 44) Ameris dufresnii (Curculionidae).
Data for: Mapping the evolution of accurate Batesian mimicry of social wasps in hoverflies
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Thistle-down velvet ants in the Desert Mimicry Ring and the evolution of white coloration: Müllerian mimicry, camouflage, and thermal ecology
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Parallel evolution of ancient, pleiotropic enhancers underlies butterfly wing pattern mimicry
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Hybridization constrains the evolution of mimicry complexes in woodpeckers
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Figure 9 from: Perger R, Rubio GD (2020) Sympolymnia, a new genus of Neotropical ant-like spider, with description of two new species and indirect evidence for transformational mimicry (Araneae, Salticidae, Simonellini). Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(2): 781-795. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.55210
Figure 9 Sympolymnia shinahota sp. nov., paratype male (SMNK-ARA: 00364): A. Dorsal view; B. Lateral view; palp; C. Retrolateral; D. Retroventral; E. Ventral; F. Prolateral (photographs by Hubert Höfer, SMNK, Germany).
Figure 8 from: Perger R, Rubio GD (2020) Sympolymnia, a new genus of Neotropical ant-like spider, with description of two new species and indirect evidence for transformational mimicry (Araneae, Salticidae, Simonellini). Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(2): 781-795. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.55210
Figure 8 Live habitus of Sympolymnia spp. and potential ant models. Please note the ontogenetic shift of shine and abdomen shape in the spiders. Sympolymnia shinahota sp. nov.: A. Juvenile female, Villa Tunari, Cochabamba Dept. (please note the shiny, pointed abdomen); B, C. Adult females, same location; D. Holotype female, Buena Vista, Santa Cruz Dept.; E.Pseudomyrmex ethicus, Villa Tunari, Cochabamba Dept.; F.Crematogaster sp., Villa Tunari, Cochabamba Dept.; G.Camponotus sanctaefidei, La Guardia, Santa Cruz Dept.; H.C. latangulus, Buena Vista, Santa Cruz Dept.; Sympolymnia lauretta: I. Juvenile, Bermejo, Santa Cruz Dept. (please note the shiny and pointed abdomen); J. Sub-adult male, Santiago de Chiquitos, Santa Cruz Dept.; K. Adult female, Santa Rosa de la Mina, Santa Cruz Dept.; L.Sympolymnia cutleri sp. nov.: adult female, Chairo, La Paz Dept.
Figure 6 from: Perger R, Rubio GD (2020) Sympolymnia, a new genus of Neotropical ant-like spider, with description of two new species and indirect evidence for transformational mimicry (Araneae, Salticidae, Simonellini). Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(2): 781-795. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.55210
Figure 6 Holotype of Sympolymnia lucasi (Taczanowski, 1871): A. Habitus dorsal and lateral views; B. Spermatheca and copulatory duct; C. Data label.
Figure 7 from: Perger R, Rubio GD (2020) Sympolymnia, a new genus of Neotropical ant-like spider, with description of two new species and indirect evidence for transformational mimicry (Araneae, Salticidae, Simonellini). Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(2): 781-795. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.55210
Figure 7 Ecoregion distribution:« Sympolymnia lucasi (Taczanowski, 1871); ¾ S. cutleri sp. nov.; · S. shinahota sp. nov.; l S. lauretta (Peckham & Peckham, 1892).
Figure 5 from: Perger R, Rubio GD (2020) Sympolymnia, a new genus of Neotropical ant-like spider, with description of two new species and indirect evidence for transformational mimicry (Araneae, Salticidae, Simonellini). Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(2): 781-795. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.55210
Figure 5 Genitalia and chelicerae of Sympolymnia spp.: S. shinahota sp. nov., female holotype (IBSI-Ara 0726): A. Epigyne in ventral view, cleared (blue line course of copulatory ducts); B. Spermathecae, dorsal view; C. Epigyne, ventral view; D. Chelicera in anterior view. Sympolymnia cutleri sp. nov., female holotype (IBSI-Ara 1072): E. Chelicera in anterior view; F. Epigyne in ventral view, cleared (blue line course of copulatory ducts); G. Spermathecae, dorsal view.
Figure 3 from: Perger R, Rubio GD (2020) Sympolymnia, a new genus of Neotropical ant-like spider, with description of two new species and indirect evidence for transformational mimicry (Araneae, Salticidae, Simonellini). Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(2): 781-795. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.55210
Figure 3 Dorsal habitus of A.Synemosyna myrmeciaeformis (Taczanowski, 1871), adult female; B.Sympolymnia lauretta (Peckham & Peckham, 1892), adult female; C.S. shinahota sp. nov. (IBSI-Ara 0726), female holotype. Scale bars: 1 cm.
Figure 2 from: Perger R, Rubio GD (2020) Sympolymnia, a new genus of Neotropical ant-like spider, with description of two new species and indirect evidence for transformational mimicry (Araneae, Salticidae, Simonellini). Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(2): 781-795. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.55210
Figure 2 Examples for sampled habitat types; A. Bolivian Yungas forest (forest edge) in Villa Teresa, La Paz Dept.; B. Southwest Amazon forest (forest edge) in Villa Tunari, Cochabamba Dept.; C. Cerrado vegetation in Chiquitano forest, Santiago de Chiquitos, Santa Cruz Dept.; D. Bolivian Tucuman forest, Arambulo, Tarija Dept. (this area is comparably dry in the dry season).
Figure 4 from: Perger R, Rubio GD (2020) Sympolymnia, a new genus of Neotropical ant-like spider, with description of two new species and indirect evidence for transformational mimicry (Araneae, Salticidae, Simonellini). Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(2): 781-795. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.55210
Figure 4 Lateral habitus of A.Sympolymnia lauretta (Peckham & Peckham, 1892), adult female; B.S. shinahota sp. nov. (IBSI-Ara 0726), female holotype. Scale bars: 1 cm. Arrows indicate the two light patches between the cephalic and thoracic areas (these patches are translucent white in live specimens).
Figure 1 from: Perger R, Rubio GD (2020) Sympolymnia, a new genus of Neotropical ant-like spider, with description of two new species and indirect evidence for transformational mimicry (Araneae, Salticidae, Simonellini). Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(2): 781-795. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.55210
Figure 1 Sampled locations and ecoregions according to the regionalisation by Navarro and Ferreira (2011), map produced with QGIS (version 2.14.3, http://www.qgis.org/en/site/). 1. Villa Teresa, La Paz Dept.; 2. Villa Tunari, Cochabamba Dept.; 3. Santa Maria la Antigua, Santa Cruz Dept.; 4. Cafetal, Buena Vista, Santa Cruz Dept.; 5. Cotoca, Santa Cruz Dept.; 6. La Guardia, Santa Cruz Dept.; 7. Bermejo, Santa Cruz Dept.; 8. Santa Rosa de la Mina, Santa Cruz Dept.; 9. Santiago de Chiquitos, Santa Cruz Dept.; 10. Arambulo, Tarija Dept.
Figure 10 from: Perger R, Rubio GD (2020) Sympolymnia, a new genus of Neotropical ant-like spider, with description of two new species and indirect evidence for transformational mimicry (Araneae, Salticidae, Simonellini). Zoosystematics and Evolution 96(2): 781-795. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.96.55210
Figure 10 Sympolymnia cutleri sp. nov., paratype female (SMNK-ARA: 1358): A, B. Carapace; C. Abdomen lateral; D. Epigyne; E. Spermatheca and copulatory duct (photographs by Hubert Höfer, SMNK, Germany).
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