Nature Communications (Feb 2024)

Predator selection on phenotypic variability of cryptic and aposematic moths

  • Ossi Nokelainen,
  • Sanni A. Silvasti,
  • Sharon Y. Strauss,
  • Niklas Wahlberg,
  • Johanna Mappes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45329-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Natural selection generally favours phenotypic variability in camouflaged organisms, whereas aposematic organisms are expected to evolve a more uniform warning coloration. However, no comprehensive analysis of the phenotypic consequences of predator selection in aposematic and cryptic species exists. Using state-of-the-art image analysis, we examine 2800 wing images of 82 moth species accessed via three online museum databases. We test whether anti-predator strategy (i.e., camouflage or aposematism) explains intraspecific variation in wing colour and pattern across northern hemisphere moths. In addition, we test two mutually non-exclusive, ecological hypotheses to explain variation in colour pattern: diel-activity or dietary-niche. In this work, taking into account phylogenetic relationships, moth phenotypic variability is best explained by anti-predator strategy with camouflaged moths being more variable in wing patterning than aposematic species.