Adaptive evolution of flight in Morpho butterflies

Abstract

Strategic fliers Forests are often crowded and complex, presenting numerous and varied challenges for species flying through them. Le Roy et al . looked at the Amazonian Morpho butterfly group and found differences in both morphological and behavioral perspectives across species that occupy the canopy relative the understory. Species that evolved to occupy the canopy have improved gliding abilities because of a combination of wing shape and flight behavior. The combination of these traits varied across species even within this single genus, which suggests that there was not one route that led to colonization of this part of the forest. —SNV