HSP70 expression in the Copper butterfly Lycaena tityrus across altitudes and temperatures |
| |
| Authors: | I. KARL J. G. SØRENSEN V. LOESCHCKE K. FISCHER |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Animal Ecology I, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany;2. Department of Biological Sciences, Genetics and Ecology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus C, Denmark;3. Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany |
| |
| Abstract: | The ability to express heat‐shock proteins (HSP) under thermal stress is an essential mechanism for ectotherms to cope with unfavourable conditions. In this study, we investigate if Copper butterflies originating from different altitudes and/or being exposed to different rearing and induction temperatures show differences in HSP70 expression. HSP70 expression increased substantially at the higher rearing temperature in low‐altitude butterflies, which might represent an adaptation to occasionally occurring heat spells. On the other hand, high‐altitude butterflies showed much less plasticity in response to rearing temperatures, and overall seem to rely more on genetically fixed thermal stress resistance. Whether the latter indicates a higher vulnerability of high‐altitude populations to global warming needs further investigation. HSP70 expression increased with both colder and warmer induction temperatures. |
| |
| Keywords: | acclimation clinal variation developmental plasticity ELISA global warming stress resistance thermal adaptation thermal stress |
|
|
