%0 Journal Article
%T Predator selection on phenotypic variability of cryptic and aposematic moths.
%A Nokelainen O
%A Silvasti SA
%A Strauss SY
%A Wahlberg N
%A Mappes J
%J Nat Commun
%V 15
%N 1
%D 2024 Feb 23
%M 38395999
%F 17.694
%R 10.1038/s41467-024-45329-5
%X Natural selection generally favours phenotypic variability in camouflaged organisms, whereas aposematic organisms are expected to evolve a more uniform warning coloration. However, no comprehensive analysis of the phenotypic consequences of predator selection in aposematic and cryptic species exists. Using state-of-the-art image analysis, we examine 2800 wing images of 82 moth species accessed via three online museum databases. We test whether anti-predator strategy (i.e., camouflage or aposematism) explains intraspecific variation in wing colour and pattern across northern hemisphere moths. In addition, we test two mutually non-exclusive, ecological hypotheses to explain variation in colour pattern: diel-activity or dietary-niche. In this work, taking into account phylogenetic relationships, moth phenotypic variability is best explained by anti-predator strategy with camouflaged moths being more variable in wing patterning than aposematic species.