The influence of the development rates of immature stages of Eristalis arbustorum (Diptera; Syrphidae) on adult abdominal colour pattern |
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Authors: | MART M. OTTENHEIM G. ESMEE WALLER GRAHAM J. HOLLOWAY |
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Affiliation: | Institute of Evolutionary and Ecological Sciences, Section of Evolutionary Biology and Systematic Zoology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands;School of Animal and Microbial Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, U.K. |
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Abstract: | Abstract. The abdominal colour pattern of Eristalis arbustorum (L.) shows seasonal variation, with animals emerging in spring being darker than those emerging during summer. One of the most important environmental cues influencing the abdominal colour pattern is developmental temperature. An experiment was carried out to establish which period during the immature stages was important in determining final adult colour pattern. The results indicate a good relationship between the length of the pupal period and both the extent of the paler markings on the abdomen and the grey score of these markings. The length of the larval period did not have any effect on adult colour pattern. |
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Keywords: | Colour pattern development rate Eristalis arbustorum Syrphidae phenotypic plasticity |
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