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Directional selection on cold tolerance does not constrain plastic capacity in a butterfly.
Kristin Franke1, Anneke Dierks, Klaus Fischer
1Department of Animal Ecology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, J,-S, Bachstraße 11/12, D-17489, Greifswald, Germany.
BMC Evolutionary Biology
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Directional selection for cold tolerance in butterflies did not constrain their ability to adapt to changing environments. Phenotypic plasticity and genetic adaptation can evolve independently, offering organisms flexibility in response to environmental shifts.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
- Ecology
Background:
- Organisms adapt to environmental changes through genetic adaptation, phenotypic plasticity, or both.
- Genotype-environment interactions (G x E) occur when different genotypes show varying phenotypic plasticity.
- This study investigates G x E by examining plastic responses in Bicyclus anynana butterflies selected for cold tolerance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if directional selection for cold tolerance interferes with phenotypic plasticity.
- To understand the interplay between genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental change.
Main Methods:
- Compared plastic responses to temperature and feeding treatments in Bicyclus anynana lines selected for cold tolerance versus control lines.
- Analyzed genotype-environment interactions (G x E) across different selection regimes and environmental variables.
Main Results:
- Strong plastic responses to temperature and feeding were observed, affecting cold tolerance, longevity, pupal mass, and development time.
- Statistically significant G x E were found but were mostly inconsistent across treatment groups.
- Selection lines showed potentially larger plastic responses to rearing temperature compared to controls; adult temperature and feeding responses were similar.
Conclusions:
- Phenotypic plasticity is not always constrained by directional selection on trait means.
- Genetic changes in trait means and plastic capacities can evolve independently.
- Organisms may possess flexible adaptive capacities that are not limited by prior selection pressures.
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