Defining Behavioral and Molecular Differences Between Summer and Migratory Monarch Butterflies

ABSTRACT: In the fall, Eastern North American monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) undergo a magnificent long-range migration. In contrast to spring and summer butterflies, fall migrants are juvenile hormone deficient, which leads to reproductive arrest and increased longevity. Migrants also use a time-compensated sun compass to help them navigate in the south/southwesterly direction en route for Mexico. Central issues in this area are defining the relationship between juvenile hormone status and oriented flight, critical features that differentiate summer monarchs from fall migrants, and identifying molecular correlates of behavioral state. Here we show that increasing juvenile hormone activity to induce summer-like reproductive development in fall migrants does not alter directional flight b

ORGANISM(S): Danaus plexippus

SUBMITTER: Steven Reppert 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-14041 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress