Ecological contexts shape sexual selection on male color morphs in wood tiger moths.

ABSTRACT: Color polymorphisms in natural populations often reflect the interplay between various selective pressures, such as natural and sexual selection. In this study, we investigate the dynamics of sexual selection operating on color polymorphism in wood tiger moths under different ecological contexts. Wood tiger moths exhibit polymorphism in male hindwing coloration, with individuals possessing one or two dominant W alleles displaying two forms of white coloration that differ in their UV reflectance (WW, Wy), while those with two recessive y alleles exhibit yellow coloration (yy). Females carry the color alleles, but do not express them phenotypically. We performed two mate choice experiments that simulated two ecological conditions: one with limited morph availability and low male encounter ra

SUBMITTER: Selenius E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12035817 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature