The signal environment is more important than diet or chemical specialization in the evolution of warning coloration.

ABSTRACT: Aposematic coloration, or warning coloration, is a visual signal that acts to minimize contact between predator and unprofitable prey. The conditions favoring the evolution of aposematic coloration remain largely unidentified. Recent work suggests that diet specialization and resultant toxicity may play a role in facilitating the evolution and persistence of warning coloration. Using a phylogenetic approach, we investigated the evolution of larval warning coloration in the genus Papilio (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). Our results indicate that there are at least four independent origins of aposematic larval coloration within Papilio. Controlling for phylogenetic relatedness among Papilio taxa, we found no evidence supporting the hypothesis that either diet specialization or chemical specializ

SUBMITTER: Prudic KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2148298 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature