Data from: Temporal relationship between genetic and warning signal variation in the aposematic wood tiger moth (Parasemia plantaginis)

Many plants and animals advertise unpalatability through warning signals
in the form of colour and shape. Variation in warning signals within local
populations is not expected because they are subject to directional
selection. However, mounting evidence of warning signal variation within
local populations suggests that other selective forces may be acting.
Moreover, different selective pressures may act on the individual
components of a warning signal. At present, we have a limited
understanding about how multiple selection processes operate
simultaneously on warning signal components, and even less about their
temporal and spatial dynamics. Here, we examined temporal variation of
several wing warning signal components (colour, UV reflectance, signal
size, and pattern) of two co-occurring colour morphs of the aposematic
wood tiger moth (Parasemia plantaginis). Sampling was done in four
geographic regions over three consecutive years. We also evaluated each
morph's temporal genetic structure by analysing mitochondrial
sequence data and nuclear microsatellite markers. Our results revealed
temporal differences between the morphs for most signal components
measured. Moreover, variation occurred differently in the fore- and
hindwings. We found no differences in the genetic structure between the
morphs within years and regions, suggesting single local populations.
However, local genetic structure fluctuated temporally. Negative
correlations were found between variation produced by neutrally evolving
genetic markers and those of the different signal components, indicating a
non-neutral evolution for most warning signal components. Taken together,
our results suggest that differential selection on warning signal
components and fluctuating population structure can be one explanation for
the maintenance of warning signal variation in this aposematic species.