DOI: 10.5061/dryad.s62ks69
title: Data from: The evolution of colour polymorphism in British winter‐active Lepidoptera in response to search image use by avian predators

description: Phenotypic polymorphism in cryptic species is widespread. This may evolve
 in response to search image use by predators exerting negative
 frequency‐dependent selection on intraspecific colour morphs, “apostatic
 selection”. Evidence exists to indicate search image formation by
 predators and apostatic selection operating on wild prey populations,
 though not to demonstrate search image use directly resulting in apostatic
 selection. The present study attempted to address this deficiency, using
 British Lepidoptera active in winter as a model system. It has been
 proposed that the typically polymorphic wing colouration of these species
 represents an anti‐search image adaptation against birds. To test (a) for
 search image driven apostatic selection, dimorphic populations of
 artificial moth‐like models were established in woodland at varying
 relative morph frequencies and exposed to predation by natural populations
 of birds. In addition, to test (b) whether abundance and degree of
 polymorphism are correlated across British winter‐active moths, as
 predicted where search image use drives apostatic selection, a series of
 phylogenetic comparative analyses were conducted. There was a positive
 relationship between artificial morph frequency and probability of
 predation, consistent with birds utilising search images and exerting
 apostatic selection. Abundance and degree of polymorphism were found to be
 positively correlated across British Lepidoptera active in winter, though
 not across all taxonomic groups analysed. This evidence is consistent with
 polymorphism in this group having evolved in response to search image
 driven apostatic selection and supports the viability of this mechanism as
 a means by which phenotypic and genetic variation may be maintained in
 natural populations.
description: DATA 1 - Moth model
 predation (Field experiments)Artificial moth models
 based on wing pattern of the British winter-active moth Erannis defoliaria
 were designed. Models consisted of a printed wing pattern on waterproof
 paper pinned to trees with a dead mealworm as an edible body component for
 predators. Seven different colour morphs were designed. Models were set-up
 in dimorphic populations where either morph occurred at different relative
 frequencies and were exposed to predation by birds in the field. The
 number of either form predated was recorded after 24h. Various
 environmental variables (e.g. temp. [oC], cloud cover [oktas], distance to
 a hiking path [nearest 10m]) were also recorded. Each row represents a
 single moth model, recorded as having survived (0) or been predated (1)
 after 24hrs.DATA 2 - Geometridae MCC
 treeMCC phylogenetic tree of
 British Geometridae (Lepidoptera) based on COX1 sequences from BOLD (nexus
 file)DATA 3 - Geometridae MCC
 treeMCC phylogenetic tree of
 British Geometridae (Lepidoptera) based on COX1 sequences from BOLD (pdf
 file)DATA 4 - Noctuidae MCC
 treeMCC phylogenetic tree of
 British Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) based on COX1 sequences from BOLD (nexus
 file)DATA 5 - Noctuidae MCC
 treeMCC phylogenetic tree of
 British Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) based on COX1 sequences from BOLD (pdf
 file)DATA 6 - Geometridae and
 Noctuidae Comparative DataData utilised in the
 comparative analyses, to test for an association between the abundance of
 a species and the number of named intraspecific forms ascribed to it. The
 latter is taken as a proxy of the degree of polymorphism of each species.
 British species in the families Geometridae and Noctuidae are included,
 where a COX1 sequence on BOLD and data as to the number of named
 intraspecific forms was available. Data includes COX1 sequences used in
 tree construction and BOLD Id of sequence.DATA 7 - Winter-active
 Species Comparative DataData utilised in the
 comparative analyses, to test for an association between the abundance of
 a species and the number of named intraspecific forms ascribed to it. The
 latter is taken as a proxy of the degree of polymorphism of each species.
 British species active in the adult (imaginal) stage primarily between
 October and April are designated "winter-active" and included in
 this dataset. Species are included where a COX1 sequence on BOLD and data
 as to the number of named intraspecific forms was available. Data includes
 COX1 sequences used in tree construction and BOLD Id of
 sequence.