Warmer temperatures result in maladaptive learning of sexual preferences

Abstract

O_LIThe impact of learning ability and sexual selection on the climate and biodiversity crisis are currently unclear. C_LIO_LIUsing the African butterfly Bicyclus anynana, which shows strong phenotypic plasticity (i.e., polyphenism) in response to temperature, we tested whether learning affects mate preferences under climate warming. C_LIO_LIWe first modelled climate warming scenarios and then showed experimentally that as temperature becomes an unreliable cue to the onset of the dry season, adult butterflies displayed the wet season rather than the dry season form. C_LIO_LIExperienced females that were exposed to different male seasonal phenotypes during sexual maturation changed sexual preferences. C_LIO_LIFemale fertilization success was reversed for naive compared to experienced females, likely reducing female fitness following climate warming. C_LIO_LIOur results emphasize the importance of sexual selection, learning, and their fitness consequences for understanding (mal)adaptation of natural populations to climate warming. C_LI