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Did Adult Diurnal Activity Influence the Evolution of Wing Morphology in Opoptera Butterflies?

  • Systematics, Morphology and Physiology
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Abstract

The butterfly genus Opoptera includes eight species, three of which have diurnal habits while the others are crepuscular (the usual activity period for members of the tribe Brassolini). Although never measured in the field, it is presumed that diurnal Opoptera species potentially spend more time flying than their crepuscular relatives. If a shift to diurnal habits potentially leads to a higher level of activity and energy expenditure during flight, then selection should operate on increased aerodynamic and energetic efficiency, leading to changes in wing shape. Accordingly, we ask whether diurnal habits have influenced the evolution of wing morphology in Opoptera. Using phylogenetically independent contrasts and Wilcoxon rank sum tests, we confirmed our expectation that the wings of diurnal species have higher aspect ratios (ARs) and lower wing centroids (WCs) than crepuscular congeners. These wing shape characteristics are known to promote energy efficiency during flight. Three Opoptera wing morphotypes established a priori significantly differed in AR and WC values. The crepuscular, cloud forest dweller Opoptera staudingeri (Godman & Salvin) was exceptional in having an extended forewing tip and the highest AR and lowest WC within Opoptera, possibly to facilitate flight in a cooler environment. Our study is the first to investigate how butterfly wing morphology might evolve as a response to a behavioral shift in adult time of activity.

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Acknowledgments

For access to specimens used in this study, we thank curators of the American Museum of Natural History, USA; Instituto de Biodiversidad, Costa Rica; Los Angeles County Museum, USA; McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, University of Florida, USA; and Milwaukee Public Museum. Thanks also go to Isidro Chacón for providing specimen images and Phil DeVries for comments on a previous draft of the manuscript.

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  1. Dept of Biological Sciences, Univ of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Dr., New Orleans, LA, 70148, USA

    C M Penz & K B Heine

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  1. C M Penz
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  2. K B Heine
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Correspondence to C M Penz.

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Edited by André VL Freitas – UNICAMP

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Penz, C.M., Heine, K.B. Did Adult Diurnal Activity Influence the Evolution of Wing Morphology in Opoptera Butterflies?. Neotrop Entomol 45, 50–57 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-015-0338-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-015-0338-x

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