| Budget Amount *help |
¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000)
Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
Fiscal Year 2012: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000)
Fiscal Year 2011: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000)
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| Research Abstract |
Morph ratio clines were used to determine whether trade-offs between body size and thermoregulation were involved in the evolution of cryptic coloration in a polymorphic pygmy grasshopper Tetrix japonica. The black markings on the pronotum are absent in some males, although the markings increase their camouflage effects. As larger grasshoppers are less cryptic, it is critical to enhance the effectiveness of their camouflage via markings. On the other hand, the markings increase the risk of overheating. The present study revealed morph ratio clines in males with a greater prevalence of morphs with black marks in colder regions. However, there was no relationship between the body size of males and the morph ratio. These results suggest that reducing overheating costs is more important than enhancing the camouflage effects in males. The trade-offs between camouflage effects and thermoregulation would partly explain the evolution of cryptic body-color polymorphism.
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