Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0983
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0983
+44 1478 350008
Hokkaido Forest Research Station, Field Science Education and Research Center, Kyoto University, Hokkaido, Japan
Research
Effects of Color Morph on Aggregation Formation for Hibernation in an Extremely Color Polymorphic Ladybug, Harmonia Axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Author(s): Yuuka Murakami*, Eisuke Hasegawa and Saori Watanabe
Understanding of mechanism for genetic polymorphisms within and among species is an important issue in ecology
and evolutionary biology. A ladybug, Harmonia axyridis (PALLAS), shows extreme elytral color polymorphism, in
which more than 100 types have been recognized. This polymorphism has been explained with the inheritance of
12 hypothetical alleles at a single autosomal locus. However, why such extreme polymorphism is maintained has not
been clarified. Here, we show that several morphs enlarge their aggregation size during grouping before hibernation.
Our results showed that the excess (or fewerness) of either one of the four color morphs from the expected values
showed each a significantly positive effect on the aggregation size. A larger aggregation size resulted in better survival
of all the aggregating members. These results suggest that it is bene.. View More»
DOI:
10.35248/2161-0983.19.8.219