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

2022

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 20000 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 thei…

Supplementary data to: Context-dependent coloration of prey and predator decision making in contrasting light environments

2021

A big question in behavioural ecology is what drives diversity of colour signals. The dataset covers the testing of the context-dependent predator selection on prey coloration. In the first experiment, detectability of artificial visual stimuli to blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) was tested by manipulating stimulus luminance and chromatic context of the background. In the second experiment, the effect of two light environments on the survival of aposematic, colour polymorphic wood tiger moth (Arctia plantaginis) was tested. For detailed description of the material, methods, and results of the study, see the article.

Eduskunnan avoin data ja tieteentekijöiden yhteiskunnallinen vaikuttavuus

2023