Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation
Alternative Title
El tamaño del cuerpo y la selección sexual en Heliconius charitonius y Heliconius melpomene (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)
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Publication Date
May 2007
Abstract
The role played by body size in sexual selection was investigated in captive populations of Heliconius charitonius and Heliconius melpomene butterflies. Mean fore-wing lengths of the entire population were compared to those of individuals participating in mating and pre-mating behaviors. It was predicted that because fitness in butterflies often increases with size (Klingenberg and Spence 1997), Heliconius spp. should choose larger mates. Sexes did not differ in size for either species (H. charitonius: Males = 41.14 mm ± 2.41, n = 57; Females = 41.28 mm ± 3.40, n = 48. H. melpomene: Males = 36.29 mm ± 2.54, n = 30; Females = 36.01 ± 1.82, n = 38). Moreover, there were no differences in size for any of the precopulatory behaviors seen compared to those for the general populations. No evidence of assortative mating was found when comparing pairs of males and females in later stages of courtship (p = 0.622, R2 = 0.0193, n = 30). Matings were infrequent, but showed no size difference except for H. melpomene males, who were significantly smaller (34.45 mm ± 1.79, n = 13, t = 2.714, p =0.011, d.f. = 32). Therefore, mating in these two species of Heliconius seems to be independent of body size. Perhaps body size does not impact fitness, or other factors, such as chemical defense, agility or age are more important fitness indicators in these species.
Resumen
Se investigó el papel del tamaño del cuerpo en la selección sexual investigado en poblaciones cautivas de las mariposas de la especie Heliconius charitonius y Heliconius melpomene. Comparé los promedios de las longitudes de las alas de todas las mariposas que estaban apareando y que tuvieron un comportamiento de cortejo.
Keywords
Nymphalidae, Natural selection, Sexual selection in animals, CIEE Spring 2007
Palabras claves
Selección natural, Selección sexual en animales, CIEE Primavera 2007
Extent
10 pages
Geographic Location
Monteverde (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)
Holding Location
Monteverde Institute
Language
English; Spanish
Media Type
Articles
Format
Digital Only
Identifier
M39-00388
Type
Book
Recommended Citation
Petrie, Megan, "Body size and sexual selection in Heliconius charitonius and Heliconius melpomene (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), May 2007" (2007). Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation. 49.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/49
