A comparative study of body size evolution in moths: evidence of correlated evolution with feeding and phenology-related traits

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41330%2F24%3A101023" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41330/24:101023 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jeb/voae072" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1093/jeb/voae072</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jeb/voae072" target="_blank" >10.1093/jeb/voae072</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

A comparative study of body size evolution in moths: evidence of correlated evolution with feeding and phenology-related traits

Original language description

Interspecific variation in body size is one of the most popular topics in comparative studies. Despite recent advances, little is known about the patterns and processes behind the evolution of body size in insects. Here, we used a robust data set comprising all geometrid moth species occurring in Northern Europe to examine the evolutionary associations involving body size and several life-history traits under an explicitly phylogenetic framework. We provided new insights into the interactive effects of life-history traits on body size and evidence of correlated evolution. We further established the sequence of trait evolution linking body size with the life-history traits correlated with it. We found that most (but not all) of the studied life-history traits, to some extent, influenced interspecific variation in body size, but interactive effects were uncommon. Both bi- and multivariate phylogenetic analyses indicated that larger species tend to be nocturnal flyers, overwinter in the larval stage, feed on the foliage of trees rather than herbs, and have a generalist feeding behaviour. We found evidence of correlated evolution involving body size with overwintering stage, host-plant growth form, and dietary specialization. The examination of evolutionary transitions within the correlated evolution models signalled that overwintering as larvae commonly preceded the evolution of large sizes, as did feeding on tree foliage and the generalist feeding behaviour. By showing that both body size and all life-history traits correlated with it evolve at very slow rates, we caution against uncritical attempts to propose causal explanations for respective associations based on contemporary ecological settings.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10618 - Ecology

Project

—

Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

ISSN

1010-061X

e-ISSN

1010-061X

Volume of the periodical

37

Issue of the periodical within the volume

8

Country of publishing house

CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC

Number of pages

14

Pages from-to

891-904

UT code for WoS article

001262327600001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85200345058