Mating preferences act independently on individual elements of visual signals in Heliconius butterflies
S. Smith, L. Queste, D. S. Wright, C. Bacquet, R. M. Merrill
The paper tests whether male Heliconius butterflies prefer full wing patterns or individual elements, finding no preference difference when elements are removed, suggesting independent function of pattern elements in mating and speciation.
bioRxiv · Nov 24, 2023 · PreprintEvolutionary Biology