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Nota Lepidopterologica
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
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Article . 2025
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Lack of evidence that the false head of male Callophrys xami (Reakirt, 1867) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) is a sexually selected trait

Authors: Centeotl Cruz-Avendaño; Camilo Medina; Carlos Cordero; Ornela de Gasperin;

Lack of evidence that the false head of male Callophrys xami (Reakirt, 1867) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) is a sexually selected trait

Abstract

Colourful and morphologically complex traits can be used to deflect predators’ attacks to a part of a prey’s body that is less vulnerable. This is the case of the so-called false head (FH) of some butterfly species, in which the posterior end of the hindwings of individuals perching with closed wings resembles a butterfly’s head. Recently, it was shown that the FH of Callophrys xami (Reakirt, 1867) females also plays a role in sexual selection. Specifically, females with an experimentally ablated FH received larger ejaculates, suggesting that males exert postcopulatory (cryptic) choice in favour of these females, perhaps because they have shown to be able to deflect predator attacks. Here, we tested experimentally whether C. xami females also show a preference for males with ablated FH. In our paired experiment, we presented virgin females either with a male with the FH ablated or with a male with the FH intact. We compared the probability of mating, copula duration and the number of eggs laid by the females two days after mating. We did not find evidence of female choice in relation to the presence/absence of FH in the males. Males with ablated FH were as likely to mate as control males. Copula duration and number of eggs laid were also very similar in females mated with either males with the FH ablated or intact. We suggest that the structure of the courtship behaviour of this butterfly could explain why males use the FH in their choice of mate, while females apparently do not.

Keywords

Sexual selection, deflection, females in mate choice, Callophrys xami

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
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