Light is an electromagnetic stimulus that in mammals is sensed by specialized neurons in the retina.The physiological response to light encompasses two fundamental and different functional outputs：image-forming and n...Light is an electromagnetic stimulus that in mammals is sensed by specialized neurons in the retina.The physiological response to light encompasses two fundamental and different functional outputs：image-forming and non-image forming.展开更多
The search for pattern in the ecology and evolutionary biology of insect-plant associations has fascinated biologists for centuries. High levels of tropical （tow-latitude） plant and insect diversity relative to pole...The search for pattern in the ecology and evolutionary biology of insect-plant associations has fascinated biologists for centuries. High levels of tropical （tow-latitude） plant and insect diversity relative to poleward latitudes and the disproportionate abundance of host-specialized insect herbivores have been noted. This review addresses several aspects of local insect specialization, host use abilities （and loss of these abilities with specialization）, host-associated evolutionary divergence, and ecological （including ＂hybrid＂） speciation, with special reference to the generation of biodiversity and the geographic and taxonomic identification of ＂species borders＂ for swallowtail butterflies （Papilionidae）. From ancient phytochemically defined angiosperm affiliations that trace back millions of years to recent and very local specialized populations, the Papilionidae （swallowtail butterflies） have provided a model for enhanced tmderstanding of localized ecological patterns and genetically based evolutionary processes. They have served as a useful group for evaluating the feeding specialization/physiological efficiency hypothesis. They have shown how the abiotic （thermal） environment interacts with host nutritional suitability to generate ＂voltinisrn/suitability＂ gradients in specialization or preference latitudinally, and geographical mosaics locally. Several studies reviewed here suggest strongly that the oscillation hypothesis for speciation does have considerable merit, but at the same time, some species-level host specializations may lead to evolutionary dead-ends, especially with rapid environmental/habitat changes involving their host plants. Latitudinal gradients in species richness and degree of herbivore feeding specialization have been impacted by recent developments in ecological genetics and evolutionary ecology. Localized insect- plant associations that span the biospectrum from polyphenisms, polymorphisms, biotypes, demes, host races, to cryptic species, remain academically contentious, with simple definitions still debated. However, molecular analyses combined with ecological, ethological and physiological studies, have already begun to unveil some answers for many important ecological/evolutionary questions.展开更多
基金supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science SAF2015-67643-PSpanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness ISCIII-FEDER “Una manera de hacer Europa” PI13/00643
文摘Light is an electromagnetic stimulus that in mammals is sensed by specialized neurons in the retina.The physiological response to light encompasses two fundamental and different functional outputs：image-forming and non-image forming.
基金Acknowledgments This review reflects decades of personally treasured friendships and assistance from colleagues in the insectplant interactions field of study. The Papilionidae research from our lab was supported in part by the National Science Foundation （DEB-9201122 DEB-9510044+1 种基金 DEB 0716683 DEB 0918879） and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station （Project # 01644）. I wish to thank all lab members and friends for their enthusiasm and assistance over the years, and most recently, Matthew Aardema, Rodrigo Mereader and Gabe Ording.
文摘The search for pattern in the ecology and evolutionary biology of insect-plant associations has fascinated biologists for centuries. High levels of tropical （tow-latitude） plant and insect diversity relative to poleward latitudes and the disproportionate abundance of host-specialized insect herbivores have been noted. This review addresses several aspects of local insect specialization, host use abilities （and loss of these abilities with specialization）, host-associated evolutionary divergence, and ecological （including ＂hybrid＂） speciation, with special reference to the generation of biodiversity and the geographic and taxonomic identification of ＂species borders＂ for swallowtail butterflies （Papilionidae）. From ancient phytochemically defined angiosperm affiliations that trace back millions of years to recent and very local specialized populations, the Papilionidae （swallowtail butterflies） have provided a model for enhanced tmderstanding of localized ecological patterns and genetically based evolutionary processes. They have served as a useful group for evaluating the feeding specialization/physiological efficiency hypothesis. They have shown how the abiotic （thermal） environment interacts with host nutritional suitability to generate ＂voltinisrn/suitability＂ gradients in specialization or preference latitudinally, and geographical mosaics locally. Several studies reviewed here suggest strongly that the oscillation hypothesis for speciation does have considerable merit, but at the same time, some species-level host specializations may lead to evolutionary dead-ends, especially with rapid environmental/habitat changes involving their host plants. Latitudinal gradients in species richness and degree of herbivore feeding specialization have been impacted by recent developments in ecological genetics and evolutionary ecology. Localized insect- plant associations that span the biospectrum from polyphenisms, polymorphisms, biotypes, demes, host races, to cryptic species, remain academically contentious, with simple definitions still debated. However, molecular analyses combined with ecological, ethological and physiological studies, have already begun to unveil some answers for many important ecological/evolutionary questions.
