C. W. Wheat

Genome-wide gene birth-death dynamics are associated with diet breadth variation in Lepidoptera

The paper analyzes gene birth-death dynamics across 30 Lepidoptera species to identify gene families associated with diet breadth variation, finding correlations with pesticide resistance, detoxification, and pheromone receptor changes.

The genomics and evolution of inter-sexual mimicry and female-limited polymorphisms in damselflies

This study identifies the genomic basis of female-limited morphs and male mimicry in damselflies, revealing structural variants and transposable element activity driving these phenotypes.

A genetic switch for male UV-iridescence in an incipient species pair of sulphur butterflies

This study identifies a genetic switch on the Z chromosome that controls male UV-iridescence in two incipient butterfly species, contributing to reproductive isolation.

A complex interplay between balancing selection and introgression maintains a genus-wide alternative life-history strategy.

The paper identifies the genetic basis of an alternative life-history strategy in butterflies and shows it originated once, maintained by balancing selection and introgression across species.

The unresolved phylogenomic tree of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera): assessing the potential causes and consequences

The paper assesses unresolved phylogenetic relationships in butterflies and moths using a large dataset, finding discordant results due to compositional bias and insufficient taxon sampling.

A large and diverse autosomal haplotype is associated with sex-linked colour polymorphism in the guppy

The paper identifies a large autosomal haplotype associated with sex-linked color polymorphism in guppies, challenging the traditional view of color genes being on the sex chromosome.

Museomics of a rare taxon: placing Whalleyanidae in the Lepidoptera Tree of Life

The paper uses whole genome sequencing of museum specimens to place the Whalleyanidae in the Lepidoptera tree of life, finding it sister to Callidulidae and supporting its placement in the Calliduloidea superfamily.

Analyzing the neutral and adaptive background of butterfly voltinism reveals structural variation in a core circadian gene

The paper analyzes genetic variation in butterfly voltinism and identifies a circadian gene deletion linked to life cycle differences.

A complete time-calibrated multi-gene phylogeny of the European butterflies

This paper constructs a time-calibrated multi-gene phylogeny of all 496 European butterfly species using Bayesian inference.

The consequences of surviving infection across the metamorphic boundary: tradeoff insights from RNAseq and life history measures

This study investigates the long-term effects of bacterial infection and injury across metamorphosis in Pieris napi butterflies, finding that infection costs persist into adulthood and negatively impact fitness.

Geographic variation in hemocyte diversity and phagocytic propensity shows a diffuse genomic signature in the green veined white butterfly

The paper examines geographic variation in hemocyte diversity and phagocytic propensity in two butterfly populations, finding phenotypic differences without genetic divergence in phagocytosis-related genes.

Morphology does not covary with predicted behavioural correlations of the domestication syndrome in dogs

This study tests if morphological traits of the domestication syndrome predict behavioural correlations in dogs, finding no such covariation.

Extensive phenotypic plasticity in a seasonal butterfly limits potential for evolutionary responses to environmental change

The paper examines phenotypic plasticity in a seasonal butterfly and finds that limited genetic variation for plasticity may restrict evolutionary responses to climate change.