Cold tolerance in relation to developmental and adult temperature in a butterfly |
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Authors: | Ilja Zeilstra Klaus Fischer |
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Affiliation: | Department of Animal Ecology I, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany |
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Abstract: | Abstract. Larvae of the butterfly Lycaena tityrus (Poda) are reared at 20 or 27 °C until adult eclosion, after which they are maintained at the same temperature or are transferred to the alternate temperature. The resulting adults are exposed to −20 °C for 8 min, returned to ambient temperature, and the recovery time to standing position is recorded. On the day of eclosion, individuals reared at 20 °C show 19% shorter recovery times than individuals reared at 27 °C. This effect of developmental temperature disappears when the same animals are tested 3 and 6 days later. However, adult temperature did not affect recovery time in these animals, presumably due to over-riding effects of previous cold shocks. This is suggested by another set of animals, not having experienced previous cold shocks, demonstrating recovery times that are 28% shorter in individuals maintained as adults for 3 days at 20 compared to 27 °C. Thus, L. tityrus appears to be capable of adapting to local temperatures. |
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Keywords: | Acclimation chill coma climatic adaptation developmental plasticity Lepidoptera |
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