Digest: Multiple selective pressures drive color diversity in moths

Article Ecology

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

Ossi Nokelainen et al.

Summary: The study found a phenomenon of 'cryptic morph' in wood tiger moths and investigated the genetic mechanism of color polymorphism. Research showed that humans performed poorly in classifying male genotypes, while avian and moth vision models were effective in distinguishing different genotypes.

JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Ecology

Heterozygote advantage and pleiotropy contribute to intraspecific color trait variability

Chiara De Pasqual et al.

Summary: The persistence of intrapopulation phenotypic variation typically requires some form of balancing selection. Heterozygote advantage is a classic explanation for the maintenance of genetic variation. In the case of the aposematic moth Arctia plantaginis, males have two hindwing phenotypes determined by a heritable one locus-two allele polymorphism. Our study found that the presence of one or two copies of the yellow allele affects several life-history traits. Females carrying one yellow allele have higher fertility and offspring survival, indicating strong heterozygote advantage. The interplay between heterozygote advantage, yellow allele pleiotropic effect, and morph-specific predation pressure may maintain the color polymorphism.

EVOLUTION (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

The crucial role of genome-wide genetic variation in conservation

Marty Kardos et al.

Summary: Conserving genome-wide genetic variation is generally the best approach to prevent inbreeding depression and loss of adaptive potential, while focusing on functional genetic variation is not always feasible and can often lead to misleading and counterproductive outcomes.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (2021)

Add to Collection

Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology