TY - DATA T1 - Dataset for: Sex differences but no evidence of quantitative honesty in the warning signals of six-spot burnet moths (Zygaena filipendulae L.) PY - 2018/07/02 AU - Emmanuelle Sophie Briolat AU - Mika Zagrobelny AU - Carl Erik Olsen AU - Jonathan D Blount AU - Martin Stevens UR - https://wiley.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Dataset_for_Sex_differences_but_no_evidence_of_quantitative_honesty_in_the_warning_signals_of_six-spot_burnet_moths_Zygaena_filipendulae_L_/6268325 DO - 10.6084/m9.figshare.6268325.v1 L4 - https://ndownloader.figshare.com/files/11453870 L4 - https://ndownloader.figshare.com/files/11453873 L4 - https://ndownloader.figshare.com/files/11453879 KW - aposematism KW - cyanogenic glucosides KW - honest signalling KW - Signaling/Courtship KW - Variation KW - Zygaena KW - Evolutionary Biology KW - Biological Adaptation KW - Genetics KW - Ecology N2 - The distinctive black and red wing pattern of six-spot burnet moths (Zygaena filipendulae, L.) is a classic example of aposematism, advertising their potent cyanide-based defences. While such warning signals provide a qualitatively honest signal of unprofitability, the evidence for quantitative honesty, whereby variation in visual traits could provide accurate estimates of individual toxicity, is more equivocal. Combining sophisticated measures of cyanogenic glucoside content and wing colour from the perspective of avian predators, we investigate the relationship between coloration and defences in Z. filipendulae, to test signal honesty both within and across populations. Mean cyanogenic glucoside concentration was not correlated with wing coloration across populations in males, yet in females higher cyanogenic glucoside levels were associated with smaller and lighter red forewing markings. Trends within populations were similarly indicative of quantitative dishonesty, and consistent differences between the sexes were apparent: larger females, carrying a greater total cyanogenic glucoside load, displayed larger but less conspicuous markings than smaller males, according to several colour metrics. The overall high aversiveness of cyanogenic glucosides and fluctuations in colour and toxin levels during an individual’s lifetime may contribute to these results, highlighting generally important reasons why signal honesty should not always be expected in aposematic species. ER -