Amata variation analysis for Eco-geographic hypotheses do not explain variation in warning signals in diurnal Amata nigriceps wasp moths

dc.contributor.affiliationMacquarie University - Binns, Georgina
dc.contributor.affiliationMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology - Rowland, Hannah
dc.contributor.affiliationMacquarie University - McLean, Donald
dc.contributor.affiliationWestern Sydney University - Umbers, Kate
dc.contributor.affiliationUniversity of Helsinki - Mappes, Johanna
dc.contributor.affiliationMacquarie University - Hart, Nathan
dc.contributor.affiliationMacquarie University - Herberstein, Marie
dc.contributor.authorBinns, Georgina
dc.contributor.authorRowland, Hannah
dc.contributor.authorMcLean, Donald
dc.contributor.authorUmbers, Kate
dc.contributor.authorMappes, Johanna
dc.contributor.authorHart, Nathan
dc.contributor.authorHerberstein, Marie
dc.date.accessioned2025-03-24T15:21:32Z
dc.date.issued2023-11-01
dc.date.issued2023-11-01
dc.descriptionAposematic prey use conspicuous warning signals to advertise a secondary defense. To be effective, warning signals should be reliable throughout a prey population. However, warning signals vary considerably across and within populations, often for unknown causes. Here, the Australian diurnal moth Amata nigriceps, which has orange wing spots on a black background, was used to explore four ecogeographic hypotheses explaining warning signal variability: the thermal melanism, the photo-protection, the desiccation resistance, and the predator-loss hypotheses. We collected live moths from 29 populations across 746 km of coastal New South Wales, Australia, and sampled relevant museum collections from 1896 to 1982. We quantified the proportion of orange wing spots (warning signal size) relative to site-specific abiotic (temperature, precipitation, solar radiation) and biotic factors (diversity of bird predators). In museum specimens, warning signal size varied within the decade of collection, without a discernible temporal trend. Recent collections also varied in signal size, but we found no support for the four hypotheses. Our results are in contrast with studies that have found significant relationships between warning colours and eco-geographic factors. Local phenotypic responses in Amata nigriceps together with relaxed predator selection and genetic effects may explain the persistence of warning signal variation.
dc.identifierhttps://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.0rxwdbs6f
dc.identifier.urihttps://hydatakatalogi-test-24.it.helsinki.fi/handle/123456789/10949
dc.rightsOpen
dc.rights.licensecc-zero
dc.subjectaposematism
dc.subjectsignal variation
dc.subjectpredator diversity
dc.subjectclimate impacts
dc.subjectLepidoptera
dc.subjectAmata nigriceps
dc.titleAmata variation analysis for Eco-geographic hypotheses do not explain variation in warning signals in diurnal Amata nigriceps wasp moths
dc.typedataset
dc.typedataset
Zenodo


: