Fatty acid and carbon isotopic data for: Use of essential vs. non-essential fatty acids during flight in monarch butterflies: Implications for the importance of nectaring during migration
Data files
Feb 11, 2025 version files 15.39 KB
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Anparasan_et_al_S.1_Baseline_C.csv
1.27 KB
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Anparasan_et_al_S.2_Baseline_FA.csv
3.64 KB
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Anparasan_et_al_S.3_Flight_C.csv
1.48 KB
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Anparasan_et_al_S.4_Flight_FA.csv
4.50 KB
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README.md
4.50 KB
Abstract
Many insect species are migratory, but migration is energetically costly, leading to a tradeoff between migration and subsequent reproduction. Of importance to the allocation of resources to migration and reproduction is the relative use of essential and non-essential fatty acids. How different ecological conditions experienced by individuals affect the differential allocation of nutrients has not been well explored, especially in insects. Our goal was to evaluate how reproductive (summer) and migratory (fall) rearing conditions affect the source and allocation patterns of fatty acids used during experimental flights (0-6h) in monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus L.). We used larval and adult diets manipulated isotopically (δ13C) and chromatographic analyses to determine fatty acid composition and source in the fat body. C4 vs. C3 carbohydrate feeding increased the δ13C value of lipids in monarchs (-31.2 vs -22.1‰) and increased total fatty acid concentrations reflecting lipid synthesis during adult feeding. Fuel use during flight differed with essential fatty acids being more conserved in fall vs. summer conditions (21% vs 32% loss respectively) indicating that the environmental cues responsible for the onset of migration result in physiological changes that modify lipid use. Frequency of stopovers for nectar and nectar quality available during migration will influence the capacity of monarchs to conserve essential fatty acids up to and through migration and overwinter period.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.2z34tmpx3
Description of the data and file structure
Isotopic (δ13C) and Fatty Acid Concentration Data of monarch abdominal lipids in 4 csv files:
Anparasan_et_al_S.1_Baseline_C.csv which contains the δ13C values of monarch abdominal lipids. These monarchs were reared in various conditions and then collected at emergence in the adult stage or 5 days post-eclosion with ample diet provided.
Anparasan_et_al_S.2_Baseline_FA.csv which contains the fatty acid concentrations of monarch abdominal lipids. These monarchs were reared in various conditions then collected at emergence in the adult stage or 5 days post-eclosion with ample diet provided.
Anparasan_et_al_S.3_Flight_C.csv which contains the δ13C values of monarch abdominal lipids. These monarchs were reared in various conditions then exercised at 5 days post eclosion for various durations.
Anparasan_et_al_S.4_Flight_FA.csv which contains the fatty acid concentrations of monarch abdominal lipids. These monarchs were reared in various conditions then exercised at 5 days post eclosion for various durations.
Files and variables
File: Anparasan_et_al_S.4_Flight_FA.csv
Description:
Variables
- Rearing: environmental conditions in which insects were raised (Summer, Fall)
- Flight Duration (hours):number of hours monarchs were exercised prior to collection (0,1,4 or 6 hours)
- Sex:m,f (male, female)
- PA:the concentration (µmol/ml) of palmitic acid in the monarch abdominal lipid sample analysed using gas chromatographic techniques
- ST:the concentration (µmol/ml) of stearic acid in the monarch abdominal lipid sample analysed using gas chromatographic techniques
- OL:the concentration (µmol/ml) of oleic acid in the monarch abdominal lipid sample analysed using gas chromatographic techniques
- LA: the concentration (µmol/ml) of linoleic acid in the monarch abdominal lipid sample analysed using gas chromatographic techniques
- ALA:the concentration (µmol/ml) of alpha-linolenic acid in the monarch abdominal lipid sample analysed using gas chromatographic techniques
- TOTAL:the concentration (µmol/ml) of all fatty acids in the monarch abdominal lipid sample analysed using gas chromatographic techniques
File: Anparasan_et_al_S.3_Flight_C.csv
Description:
Variables
- Rearing: environmental conditions in which insects were raised (Summer, Fall)
- Flight duration (hours): number of hours monarchs were exercised prior to collection (0,1,4 or 6 hours)
- Sex: m,f (male, female)
- 13C: isotopic (δ13C) value (‰) of monarch abdominal lipid
File: Anparasan_et_al_S.1_Baseline_C.csv
Description:
Variables
- Rearing: environmental conditions in which insects were raised (Summer, Fall and controlled laboratory conditions “Lab”)
- Age (days): days post-eclosion on which monarchs were collected (zero = at emergence, five= fed ad lib for 5 days post eclosion)
- Sex: m,f (male, female)
- 13C:isotopic (δ13C) value (‰) of monarch abdominal lipid
File: Anparasan_et_al_S.2_Baseline_FA.csv
Description:
Variables
- Rearing: environmental conditions in which insects were raised (Summer, Fall and controlled laboratory conditions “Lab”)
- Age (days): days post-eclosion on which monarchs were collected (zero = at emergence, five= fed ad lib for 5 days post eclosion)
- Sex:m,f (male, female)
- PA:the concentration (µmol/ml) of palmitic acid in the monarch abdominal lipid sample analysed using gas chromatographic techniques
- ST:the concentration (µmol/ml) of stearic acid in the monarch abdominal lipid sample analysed using gas chromatographic techniques
- OL:the concentration (µmol/ml) of oleic acid in the monarch abdominal lipid sample analysed using gas chromatographic techniques
- LA: the concentration (µmol/ml) of linoleic acid in the monarch abdominal lipid sample analysed using gas chromatographic techniques
- ALA:the concentration (µmol/ml) of alpha-linolenic acid in the monarch abdominal lipid sample analysed using gas chromatographic techniques
- TOTAL:the concentration (µmol/ml) of all fatty acids in the monarch abdominal lipid sample analysed using gas chromatographic techniques