Quantifying gene flow between lineages at different stages of the speciation continuum is central... more Quantifying gene flow between lineages at different stages of the speciation continuum is central to understanding speciation.Heliconiusbutterflies have undergone an adaptive radiation in wing colour patterns driven partly by natural selection for local mimicry. Colour patterns are also known to be used as assortative mating cues. Therefore, wing pattern divergence is considered to play a role in speciation. A corollary is that mimicry between closely-related species may be associated with hybridization and interfere with reproductive isolation. Here, we take a multifaceted approach to explore speciation history, species boundaries, and traits involved in species differentiation between the two closely-related speciesH. hecaleandH. ismenius.We focus on geographic regions where the two species mimic each other, and contrast this with geographic regions where they do not mimic each other. To examine population history and patterns of gene flow, we tested and compared a four-population...
In the plant–insect–insectivorous bird food chain, directional changes in climate can result in m... more In the plant–insect–insectivorous bird food chain, directional changes in climate can result in mismatched phenology, potentially affecting selection pressures. Phenotypic plasticity in the timing of breeding, characterized by reaction norm slopes, can help maximize fitness when faced with earlier prey emergence. In temperate passerines, the timing of tree budburst influences food availability for chicks through caterpillar phenology and the resulting food abundance patterns. Thus, the timing of tree budburst might serve as a more direct proxy for the cue to time egg‐laying. The evolutionary potential of breeding plasticity relies on heritable variation, which is based upon individual variation, yet studies on individual variation in plasticity are few. Here, we tested for the laying date—budburst date and the clutch size—laying date reaction norms, and examined 1) the among‐individual variance in reaction norm intercepts and slopes; and 2) the selection differentials and gradients on these intercepts and slopes. Using long‐term data of oak (genus Quercus) budburst and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) reproduction, we applied within‐subject centering to detect reaction norms, followed by bivariate random regression to quantify among‐individual variance in reaction norm properties and their covariance with fitness. Individuals significantly differed in intercepts and slopes of both laying date—budburst date and clutch size—laying date reaction norms, and directional selection was present for an earlier laying date and a larger clutch size (intercepts), but not on plasticity (slopes). We found that individuals have their own regimes for adjusting egg‐laying and clutch size. This study provides further support of individual variation of phenotypic plasticity in birds.
Abstract In the plant–insect–insectivorous bird food chain, directional changes in climate can re... more Abstract In the plant–insect–insectivorous bird food chain, directional changes in climate can result in mismatched phenology, potentially affecting selection pressures. Phenotypic plasticity in the timing of breeding, characterized by reaction norm slopes, can help maximize fitness when faced with earlier prey emergence. In temperate passerines, the timing of tree budburst influences food availability for chicks through caterpillar phenology and the resulting food abundance patterns. Thus, the timing of tree budburst might serve as a more direct proxy for the cue to time egg‐laying. The evolutionary potential of breeding plasticity relies on heritable variation, which is based upon individual variation, yet studies on individual variation in plasticity are few. Here, we tested for the laying date—budburst date and the clutch size—laying date reaction norms, and examined 1) the among‐individual variance in reaction norm intercepts and slopes; and 2) the selection differentials and gradients on these intercepts and slopes. Using long‐term data of oak (genus Quercus) budburst and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) reproduction, we applied within‐subject centering to detect reaction norms, followed by bivariate random regression to quantify among‐individual variance in reaction norm properties and their covariance with fitness. Individuals significantly differed in intercepts and slopes of both laying date—budburst date and clutch size—laying date reaction norms, and directional selection was present for an earlier laying date and a larger clutch size (intercepts), but not on plasticity (slopes). We found that individuals have their own regimes for adjusting egg‐laying and clutch size. This study provides further support of individual variation of phenotypic plasticity in birds.
Dataset contains blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) breeding and oak (Quercus) budburst phenology obt... more Dataset contains blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) breeding and oak (Quercus) budburst phenology obtained from a wild population in Silwood Park, UK, 2002-2019. Nest boxes were examined every year in the breeding season and data recorded include laying date, clutch size, female ID, and number of 7-day-old chicks in the brood. Oak budburst dates associated with a brood record were obtained from trees surrounding a nest box by summarizing the mean dates at which trees reach budburst stages 1(budburst) to 6(fully tanninized). All dates were recorded as April Days (0 = 1st Apr). Z-scores represent annually standardized values.<br>R script details statistical analyses to estimate among-individual variance in laying date-budburst reaction norm, and clutch size-laying date reaction norm, as well as selection pressures on these reaction norms.
Figure 5. Biology of Trichogramma soberania sp. nov. strain L20 (a,b) female adult(s) parasitizin... more Figure 5. Biology of Trichogramma soberania sp. nov. strain L20 (a,b) female adult(s) parasitizing egg(s) of Mamestra brassicae; (c) freshly laid wasp egg; (d) 48 h larva; (e) 14 larvae can develop inside a M. brassicae egg; (f) fully grown larva; (g) male and female pupae; (h) Mamestra brassicae eggs turn black after consumption or parasitism.
Figure 3. Biology of Trichogramma chagres sp. nov. strain L21: (a–c) female adult(s) parasitizing... more Figure 3. Biology of Trichogramma chagres sp. nov. strain L21: (a–c) female adult(s) parasitizing egg(s) of Mamestra brassicae; (d) freshly laid wasp egg; (e) newly hatched larva; (f–h) mature larva: (f,g) two mature larvae and chorion of consumed host egg in direct (f) and reflected (g) light, (h) habitus of mature larva with pulsing mid gut full of host egg yolk.
Figure 1. (a) Heliconiini egg on a new shoot of Passiflora foetida var. isthmia; (b) Heliconiini ... more Figure 1. (a) Heliconiini egg on a new shoot of Passiflora foetida var. isthmia; (b) Heliconiini egg on tendril of P. vitifolia; (c) field site, pipeline road in Soberania National Park; (d) Passiflora foetida var. isthmia on which both new Trichogramma species were reared from Heliconiini eggs; (e) Passiflora vitifolia on which T. chagres sp. nov. was found from a Heliconiini egg; (f) Passiflora biflora on which T. soberania sp. nov. was found from a Heliconiini egg; (g,h) Agraulis vanillae vanillae, a host of both new Trichogramma species; (i,j) Heliconius hecale melicerta, on which a T. soberania sp. nov. wasp was found.
In the plant-insect-insectivorous-bird system, changing climates can result in mis-timing in bird... more In the plant-insect-insectivorous-bird system, changing climates can result in mis-timing in bird reproduction, potentially impacting chick survival. To adapt to earlier prey emergence, birds can make use of phenotypic plasticity, which can be characterized by reaction norms. Despite gaining focus in research, studies on avian reproductive reaction norms as traits are scarce, particularly on laying-date-budburst-date and clutch-size-laying-date reaction norms. Here we examined the possibility of evolution of these two reaction norms from a quantitative genetics viewpoint, and tested whether 1) there is among-individual variance in reaction norms properties (intercept and slope); 2) there is selection on these reaction norm properties; and 3) variances and selection pressures differ between the two reaction norms. Data of oak (genus Quercus) budburst and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) reproduction were collected from a wild population for 18 years. We used bivariate random regression...
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2009
Competition for mates has substantial effects on sensory systems and often leads to the evolution... more Competition for mates has substantial effects on sensory systems and often leads to the evolution of extraordinary mating behaviours in nature. The ability of males to find sexually immature females and associate with them until mating is a remarkable example. Although several aspects of such pre-copulatory mate guarding have been investigated, little is known about the mechanisms used by males to locate immature females and assess their maturity. These are not only key components of the origin and maintenance of this mating strategy, but are also necessary for inferring the level to which females cooperate and thus the incidence of sexual conflict. We investigated the cues involved in recognition of immature females in Heliconius charithonia , a butterfly that exhibits mate guarding by perching on pupae. We found that males recognized female pupae using sex-specific volatile monoterpenes produced by them towards the end of pupal development. Considering the presumed biosynthetic pa...
Quantifying gene flow between lineages at different stages of the speciation continuum is central... more Quantifying gene flow between lineages at different stages of the speciation continuum is central to understanding speciation.Heliconiusbutterflies have undergone an adaptive radiation in wing colour patterns driven partly by natural selection for local mimicry. Colour patterns are also known to be used as assortative mating cues. Therefore, wing pattern divergence is considered to play a role in speciation. A corollary is that mimicry between closely-related species may be associated with hybridization and interfere with reproductive isolation. Here, we take a multifaceted approach to explore speciation history, species boundaries, and traits involved in species differentiation between the two closely-related speciesH. hecaleandH. ismenius.We focus on geographic regions where the two species mimic each other, and contrast this with geographic regions where they do not mimic each other. To examine population history and patterns of gene flow, we tested and compared a four-population...
In the plant–insect–insectivorous bird food chain, directional changes in climate can result in m... more In the plant–insect–insectivorous bird food chain, directional changes in climate can result in mismatched phenology, potentially affecting selection pressures. Phenotypic plasticity in the timing of breeding, characterized by reaction norm slopes, can help maximize fitness when faced with earlier prey emergence. In temperate passerines, the timing of tree budburst influences food availability for chicks through caterpillar phenology and the resulting food abundance patterns. Thus, the timing of tree budburst might serve as a more direct proxy for the cue to time egg‐laying. The evolutionary potential of breeding plasticity relies on heritable variation, which is based upon individual variation, yet studies on individual variation in plasticity are few. Here, we tested for the laying date—budburst date and the clutch size—laying date reaction norms, and examined 1) the among‐individual variance in reaction norm intercepts and slopes; and 2) the selection differentials and gradients on these intercepts and slopes. Using long‐term data of oak (genus Quercus) budburst and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) reproduction, we applied within‐subject centering to detect reaction norms, followed by bivariate random regression to quantify among‐individual variance in reaction norm properties and their covariance with fitness. Individuals significantly differed in intercepts and slopes of both laying date—budburst date and clutch size—laying date reaction norms, and directional selection was present for an earlier laying date and a larger clutch size (intercepts), but not on plasticity (slopes). We found that individuals have their own regimes for adjusting egg‐laying and clutch size. This study provides further support of individual variation of phenotypic plasticity in birds.
Abstract In the plant–insect–insectivorous bird food chain, directional changes in climate can re... more Abstract In the plant–insect–insectivorous bird food chain, directional changes in climate can result in mismatched phenology, potentially affecting selection pressures. Phenotypic plasticity in the timing of breeding, characterized by reaction norm slopes, can help maximize fitness when faced with earlier prey emergence. In temperate passerines, the timing of tree budburst influences food availability for chicks through caterpillar phenology and the resulting food abundance patterns. Thus, the timing of tree budburst might serve as a more direct proxy for the cue to time egg‐laying. The evolutionary potential of breeding plasticity relies on heritable variation, which is based upon individual variation, yet studies on individual variation in plasticity are few. Here, we tested for the laying date—budburst date and the clutch size—laying date reaction norms, and examined 1) the among‐individual variance in reaction norm intercepts and slopes; and 2) the selection differentials and gradients on these intercepts and slopes. Using long‐term data of oak (genus Quercus) budburst and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) reproduction, we applied within‐subject centering to detect reaction norms, followed by bivariate random regression to quantify among‐individual variance in reaction norm properties and their covariance with fitness. Individuals significantly differed in intercepts and slopes of both laying date—budburst date and clutch size—laying date reaction norms, and directional selection was present for an earlier laying date and a larger clutch size (intercepts), but not on plasticity (slopes). We found that individuals have their own regimes for adjusting egg‐laying and clutch size. This study provides further support of individual variation of phenotypic plasticity in birds.
Dataset contains blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) breeding and oak (Quercus) budburst phenology obt... more Dataset contains blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) breeding and oak (Quercus) budburst phenology obtained from a wild population in Silwood Park, UK, 2002-2019. Nest boxes were examined every year in the breeding season and data recorded include laying date, clutch size, female ID, and number of 7-day-old chicks in the brood. Oak budburst dates associated with a brood record were obtained from trees surrounding a nest box by summarizing the mean dates at which trees reach budburst stages 1(budburst) to 6(fully tanninized). All dates were recorded as April Days (0 = 1st Apr). Z-scores represent annually standardized values.<br>R script details statistical analyses to estimate among-individual variance in laying date-budburst reaction norm, and clutch size-laying date reaction norm, as well as selection pressures on these reaction norms.
Figure 5. Biology of Trichogramma soberania sp. nov. strain L20 (a,b) female adult(s) parasitizin... more Figure 5. Biology of Trichogramma soberania sp. nov. strain L20 (a,b) female adult(s) parasitizing egg(s) of Mamestra brassicae; (c) freshly laid wasp egg; (d) 48 h larva; (e) 14 larvae can develop inside a M. brassicae egg; (f) fully grown larva; (g) male and female pupae; (h) Mamestra brassicae eggs turn black after consumption or parasitism.
Figure 3. Biology of Trichogramma chagres sp. nov. strain L21: (a–c) female adult(s) parasitizing... more Figure 3. Biology of Trichogramma chagres sp. nov. strain L21: (a–c) female adult(s) parasitizing egg(s) of Mamestra brassicae; (d) freshly laid wasp egg; (e) newly hatched larva; (f–h) mature larva: (f,g) two mature larvae and chorion of consumed host egg in direct (f) and reflected (g) light, (h) habitus of mature larva with pulsing mid gut full of host egg yolk.
Figure 1. (a) Heliconiini egg on a new shoot of Passiflora foetida var. isthmia; (b) Heliconiini ... more Figure 1. (a) Heliconiini egg on a new shoot of Passiflora foetida var. isthmia; (b) Heliconiini egg on tendril of P. vitifolia; (c) field site, pipeline road in Soberania National Park; (d) Passiflora foetida var. isthmia on which both new Trichogramma species were reared from Heliconiini eggs; (e) Passiflora vitifolia on which T. chagres sp. nov. was found from a Heliconiini egg; (f) Passiflora biflora on which T. soberania sp. nov. was found from a Heliconiini egg; (g,h) Agraulis vanillae vanillae, a host of both new Trichogramma species; (i,j) Heliconius hecale melicerta, on which a T. soberania sp. nov. wasp was found.
In the plant-insect-insectivorous-bird system, changing climates can result in mis-timing in bird... more In the plant-insect-insectivorous-bird system, changing climates can result in mis-timing in bird reproduction, potentially impacting chick survival. To adapt to earlier prey emergence, birds can make use of phenotypic plasticity, which can be characterized by reaction norms. Despite gaining focus in research, studies on avian reproductive reaction norms as traits are scarce, particularly on laying-date-budburst-date and clutch-size-laying-date reaction norms. Here we examined the possibility of evolution of these two reaction norms from a quantitative genetics viewpoint, and tested whether 1) there is among-individual variance in reaction norms properties (intercept and slope); 2) there is selection on these reaction norm properties; and 3) variances and selection pressures differ between the two reaction norms. Data of oak (genus Quercus) budburst and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) reproduction were collected from a wild population for 18 years. We used bivariate random regression...
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2009
Competition for mates has substantial effects on sensory systems and often leads to the evolution... more Competition for mates has substantial effects on sensory systems and often leads to the evolution of extraordinary mating behaviours in nature. The ability of males to find sexually immature females and associate with them until mating is a remarkable example. Although several aspects of such pre-copulatory mate guarding have been investigated, little is known about the mechanisms used by males to locate immature females and assess their maturity. These are not only key components of the origin and maintenance of this mating strategy, but are also necessary for inferring the level to which females cooperate and thus the incidence of sexual conflict. We investigated the cues involved in recognition of immature females in Heliconius charithonia , a butterfly that exhibits mate guarding by perching on pupae. We found that males recognized female pupae using sex-specific volatile monoterpenes produced by them towards the end of pupal development. Considering the presumed biosynthetic pa...
Uploads
Papers by Catalina Estrada