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by claude@2026-07, 2026-07-04
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This paper studies macroevolutionary changes in the olfactory system across Heliconiini butterflies, analyzing comparative variation in antennal lobe morphology (including glomeruli and the antennal lobe hub) and olfactory receptor repertoires across closely related, ecologically diverse species. Using a comparative phylogenetic approach, the authors found that antennal lobe size differences are driven by independent shifts in glomerular and hub volumes, alongside broader phylogenetic stability, and they reported no direct associations between olfactory morphology and measured ecological traits. They also observed species-specific expansions in total glomerular volume and olfactory receptor numbers, noting a caveat that the ecological or behavioral drivers may be unmeasured. This paper does not explicitly discuss endometriosis or adenomyosis; it was included in the corpus via a keyword match in the upstream search index.
Abstract
Sensory system evolution plays a crucial role in shaping species’ interactions with their environment, yet the extent to which olfactory system diversity reflects ecological and evolutionary pressures at a macroevolutionary scale remains unclear. Here, we investigate the evolution of the olfactory system across the Heliconiini butterfly tribe, an ecologically diverse but closely related group. Using a comparative approach, we examined variation in antennal lobe morphology and its constituent structures, the glomeruli and antennal lobe hub, as well as olfactory receptor repertoires across species. We found that antennal lobe size variation is driven by independent shifts in glomerular and antennal lobe hub volumes, with species-specific differences occurring against a backdrop of broader phylogenetic stability. While no direct associations with ecological traits were observed, certain species showed large expansions in total glomerular volume and olfactory receptor numbers, warranting further investigation into unmeasured ecological or behavioural factors. Additionally, comparisons between wild-caught and insectary-reared individuals revealed a surprising pattern of developmental plasticity, with antennal lobe hub volumes increasing and glomeruli volumes decreasing in captivity, highlighting the influence of environmental conditions on neural development. These findings suggest that olfactory evolution in Heliconiini is shaped by both evolutionary divergence and developmental plasticity, emphasizing the need to integrate phylogenetic, ecological, and developmental perspectives to fully understand sensory system adaptation.
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Abstract
Sensory system evolution plays a crucial role in shaping species’ interactions with their environment, yet the extent to which olfactory system diversity reflects ecological and evolutionary pressures at a macroevolutionary scale remains unclear. Here, we investigate the evolution of the olfactory system across the Heliconiini butterfly tribe, an ecologically diverse but closely related group. Using a comparative approach, we examined variation in antennal lobe morphology and its constituent structures, the glomeruli and antennal lobe hub, as well as olfactory receptor repertoires across species. We found that antennal lobe size variation is driven by independent shifts in glomerular and antennal lobe hub volumes, with species-specific differences occurring against a backdrop of broader phylogenetic stability. While no direct associations with ecological traits were observed, certain species showed large expansions in total glomerular volume and olfactory receptor numbers, warranting further investigation into unmeasured ecological or behavioural factors. Additionally, comparisons between wild-caught and insectary-reared individuals revealed a surprising pattern of developmental plasticity, with antennal lobe hub volumes increasing and glomeruli volumes decreasing in captivity, highlighting the influence of environmental conditions on neural development. These findings suggest that olfactory evolution in Heliconiini is shaped by both evolutionary divergence and developmental plasticity, emphasizing the need to integrate phylogenetic, ecological, and developmental perspectives to fully understand sensory system adaptation.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Footnotes
Figure 2 revised. Legends updated: Pollen feeding behaviour, Grey=no, Light purple=yes
https://github.com/SpeciationBehaviour/olfactory_system_evolution_heliconiini
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