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Related Concept Videos

Speciation Rates01:07

Speciation Rates

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Overview
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Frequency-dependent Selection

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When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.
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Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
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Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...
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Mate choice—the decision about whom to mate with—is a type of natural selection, since animals must reproduce to pass down their genes. Mate choice is also called intersexual selection because the behavior occurs between the sexes.
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Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.
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At-Risk Butterfly Captive Propagation Programs to Enhance Life History Knowledge and Effective Ex Situ Conservation Techniques
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Morphological and behavioural differences facilitate tropical butterfly persistence in variable environments.

Cheng Wenda1, Shuang Xing1,2, Akihiro Nakamura3

  • 1Division for Ecology & Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R, China.

The Journal of Animal Ecology
|September 16, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tropical butterflies use behavioral and morphological adaptations to survive in cooler climates, compensating for physiological cold intolerance. These strategies are crucial for their persistence in variable subtropical environments.

Keywords:
behaviourbiophysical modelsclimate changesubtropicalthermoregulation

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Zoology
  • Climate Change Biology

Background:

  • Ectotherm thermal biology influences species abundance and distribution.
  • Tropical species often have low cold tolerance, limiting expansion into temperate zones.
  • Some tropical species inhabit cooler regions, suggesting adaptations for variable climates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess how behavioral and morphological differences aid tropical butterflies in coping with cold and variable climates.
  • To investigate thermoregulatory strategies of tropical versus widespread butterfly species.
  • To determine the role of morphology and solar radiation in butterfly thermoregulation.

Main Methods:

  • Field-validated biophysical models to estimate butterfly body temperatures.
  • Analysis of butterfly activity across elevational and thermal gradients.
  • Comparison of thermoregulatory behaviors (basking) between tropical and widespread species.

Main Results:

  • Tropical species showed restricted activity at low temperatures compared to widespread species.
  • Active tropical species basked at cooler body temperatures.
  • Behavioral thermoregulation provided greater heat gain for tropical species, linked to larger thorax width.

Conclusions:

  • Behavioral and morphological adaptations compensate for tropical butterflies' physiological cold intolerance in subtropical environments.
  • Widespread species are better suited to variable environments due to physiological adaptations.
  • Climate change-induced variability may increase vulnerability of tropical species to cold extremes.