Evolution and losses of spines in slug caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae).

ABSTRACT: Larvae of the cosmopolitan family Limacodidae, commonly known as "slug" caterpillars, are well known because of the widespread occurrence of spines with urticating properties, a morpho-chemical adaptive trait that has been demonstrated to protect the larvae from natural enemies. However, while most species are armed with rows of spines ("nettle" caterpillars), slug caterpillars are morphologically diverse with some species lacking spines and thus are nonstinging. It has been demonstrated that the evolution of spines in slug caterpillars may have a single origin and that this trait is possibly derived from nonstinging slug caterpillars, but these conclusions were based on limited sampling of mainly New World taxa; thus, the evolution of spines and other traits within the family remains unre

SUBMITTER: Lin YC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6745677 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature