How crypsis evolves? Role of complex food web starting with bryophytes as ecological background

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15852
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 45020:Evolutionary biology-related
• Research Institution: Ehime University
• Principal Investigator: Imada Yume 愛媛大学, 理工学研究科(理学系), 助教 (80818948)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 隠蔽型擬態 / 背景同化 / 色解析 / 植食性昆虫 / 生態形態学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In herbivorous insects, various defense strategies against natural enemies are observed. In particular, the phenomenon of insects camouflaging into plants has been extensively studied. However, only a limited number of studies have investigated the evolutionary relationship between such camouflage-related morphologies and ecological factors such as diet and habitat. This research aims to address this knowledge gap by focusing on the Cylindrotominae (Diptera: Cylindrotomidae). I have identified the host plants and larval habitats and have suggested a correlation between morphological traits (such as body color, patterns, and fleshy protrusions as cuticular modifications) and ecological characteristics. Moreover, my analysis of body color in terrestrial moss feeders has indicated a link between body colors and habitats, as well as the potential role of the translucent integument in finely tuning camouflage by allowing the transmission of background colors.

Free Research Field

進化生態学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

コケに似た姿をもつ昆虫の幼虫という独自の系について、野外調査、画像解析、形態学・組織学的手法による機能解析、分子系統解析などを行い、これらの成果を統合することで、背景同化が進化する生態学的背景に対して新たな洞察を得ることができた。さらに本研究の成果に基づき、コケと動物の相互作用の観点からみたコケの生態学的機能や、昆虫の幼虫の生態形態に関する新たな着想を得ることができた点でも学術的意義が高いと考えている。
また、本研究成果に基づいて研究代表者は14回の講演を行い、また成果の一部は多数の新聞・雑誌で紹介された。こうした学界内外での活動を通じて社会への還元を十分に成すことができたと考えている。