Genetic colour variation visible for predators and conspecifics is concealed from humans in a polymorphic moth.

ABSTRACT: The definition of colour polymorphism is intuitive: genetic variants express discretely coloured phenotypes. This classification is, however, elusive as humans form subjective categories or ignore differences that cannot be seen by human eyes. We demonstrate an example of a 'cryptic morph' in a polymorphic wood tiger moth (Arctia plantaginis), a phenomenon that may be common among well-studied species. We used pedigree data from nearly 20,000 individuals to infer the inheritance of hindwing colouration. The evidence supports a single Mendelian locus with two alleles in males: WW and Wy produce the white and yy the yellow hindwing colour. The inheritance could not be resolved in females as their hindwing colour varies continuously with no clear link with male genotypes. Next, we investigate

SUBMITTER: Nokelainen O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9314616 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature