Data from: Complex dynamics underlie the evolution of imperfect wing pattern convergence in butterflies

Adaptive radiation is characterized by rapid diversification that is strongly associated with ecological specialization. However, understanding the evolutionary mechanisms fueling adaptive diversification requires a detailed knowledge of how natural selection acts at multiple life-history stages. Butterflies within the genus Adelpha represent one of the largest and most diverse butterfly lineages in the Neotropics. Although Adelpha species feed on an extraordinary diversity of larval hosts, convergent evolution is widespread in this group suggesting that selection for mimicry may contribute to adaptive divergence among species. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted predation studies in Costa Rica using artificial butterfly facsimiles. Specifically, we predicted that non-toxic, palatable Adelpha species that do not feed on host plants in the family Rubiaceae would benefit from sharing a locally convergent wing pattern with the presumably toxic Rubiaceae-feeding species via reduced predation. Contrary to expectations, we found that the presumed mimic was attacked significantly more than its locally convergent model, at a frequency paralleling attack rates on both novel and palatable prey. Although these data reveal the first evidence for protection from avian predators by the supposed toxic, Rubiaceae-feeding Adelpha species, we conclude that imprecise mimetic patterns have high costs for Batesian mimics in the tropics.

适应性辐射（Adaptive radiation）以快速物种分化为典型特征，且该过程与生态特化紧密相关。然而，要厘清驱动适应性分化的演化机制，需详尽掌握自然选择如何作用于多个生活史阶段。蛱蝶属（Adelpha）物种是新热带区规模最大、多样性最丰富的蝴蝶支系之一。尽管该属物种的幼虫寄主范围极为广泛，但该类群中广泛存在趋同演化现象，这提示针对拟态的选择可能推动了物种间的适应性分化。为验证这一假说，我们在哥斯达黎加利用人工蝴蝶仿真模型开展了捕食实验。具体而言，我们提出如下预测：不取食茜草科（Rubiaceae）寄主植物的无毒、适口的蛱蝶属物种，若与以茜草科植物为食的疑似有毒物种共享当地趋同的翅型，可通过降低被捕食概率获得收益。但实验结果与预期相悖：我们发现，被视为拟态者的物种其被捕食率显著高于与之趋同的本地模型物种，其捕食频率与全新猎物和适口性猎物的被捕食率相当。尽管本研究首次为以茜草科植物为食的疑似有毒蛱蝶属物种能够免受鸟类捕食提供了实证支持，但我们最终得出结论：在热带地区，不精确的拟态翅型对贝茨拟态者（Batesian mimic）而言代价高昂。