Variation in spectral reflectance of alpine and arctic Colias (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Arctic and alpine species of the lepidopteran genus Colias (Pieridae) were collected in northern and western Canada and, utilizing reflectance spectrophotometry, the variations in their dorsal and ventral reflectance values were quantified from the infrared through ultraviolet. Variation in ventral...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Author: Roland, Jens
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1978
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z78-199
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z78-199
Description
Summary:Arctic and alpine species of the lepidopteran genus Colias (Pieridae) were collected in northern and western Canada and, utilizing reflectance spectrophotometry, the variations in their dorsal and ventral reflectance values were quantified from the infrared through ultraviolet. Variation in ventral colouration seems closely correlated with gradients of both latitude and altitude, possibly indicating selection for thermoregulatory requirements; dorsal colour variation is related to species and sexual differences.