Evolution of ontogenic change in color defenses of swallowtail butterflies.

ABSTRACT: Natural selection by visually hunting predators has led to the evolution of color defense strategies such as masquerade, crypsis, and aposematism that reduce the risk of predation in prey species. These color defenses are not mutually exclusive, and switches between strategies with ontogenic development are widespread across taxa. However, the evolutionary dynamics of ontogenic color change are poorly understood. Using comparative phylogenetics, we studied the evolution of color defenses in the complex life cycles of swallowtail butterflies (family Papilionidae). We also tested the relative importance of life history traits, chemical and visual backgrounds, and ancestry on the evolution of protective coloration. We found that vulnerable early- and late-instar caterpillars of species that f

SUBMITTER: Gaitonde N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6202720 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature