Amazonian butterflies, Biology

Assignment Help:

The Amazon rainforest in South America is a biodiverse ecosystem. There are large numbers of plant and animal species making up the food web, including over 350 species of predatory insectivorous birds. In one small area of the rainforest, about 15 km2, there are 60 different species of Ithomiine butterflies.

These 60 species of butterflies have only eight different colour pattern phenotypes. Each of the different phenotypes is found within a particular habitat within this small area. Therefore the different phenotypes are rarely seen together. Scientists initially assumed that each of these phenotypes indicated that there were eight different species of butterflies. Genetic analysis has disproved this, and the resulting phylogeny is shown opposite. It shows, for example, that there are 11 species of butterfly with the ‘eurimedia' phenotype.

Evidence shows that each species of butterfly lays its eggs on only one variety of plant, which is different to other species of butterfly with the same phenotype found in their habitat. The caterpillars feed exclusively on this host plant. However, adult butterflies drink nectar from a range of different flowers which may be in common with other butterflies of the same phenotype. Butterflies sharing the same colour pattern display Mullerian and /or Batesian mimicry.


Related Discussions:- Amazonian butterflies

Explain the severe burns - clinical therapeutic nutrition, Explain the Seve...

Explain the Severe Burns - Clinical Therapeutic Nutrition? Severe, life-threatening bums require immediate care. Dehydration is treated with large amounts of fluids given intra

Effects of cardiac output and hormones, Excluding the effects of cardiac ou...

Excluding the effects of cardiac output and hormones, describe the other factors that may affect blood pressure and blood flow in a middle-aged man who is exercising in an aerobics

Malarial parasites be transmitted from an infected person, By what means ca...

By what means can malarial parasites be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person?   The malaria parasite is transferred when a healthy person is bitten by a m

What is metagenesis, What is metagenesis? What are the other names of this ...

What is metagenesis? What are the other names of this process? Metagenesis is the type of life cycle in which there are two dissimilar forms of individuals of the same species,

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of colour, Q. Qualitative and Quantit...

Q. Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Colour? Primarily, two types of analysis are carried out for food colours - qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative analysi

Define the term- new life for ancient dna, Based on your reading of the art...

Based on your reading of the article "New Life for Ancient DNA" which of the following is a  false statement in regards to the comparison among genes in extinct and living species?

Define the process of digestion of fats, Define the Process of Digestion of...

Define the Process of Digestion of Fats? The enzyme in human gut which is responsible for fat digestion is 'lipase', Lipase is secreted by both stomach and pancreas. In stomach

Define the marasmic kwashiorkor, Define the Marasmic Kwashiorkor? In co...

Define the Marasmic Kwashiorkor? In countries where the incidence of protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) is high, a large number of cases show signs and symptoms of marasmus and

Which features shared by typical birds and mammals, Which of the following ...

Which of the following characteristics is not shared by typical birds and mammals? A) Four chambered heart B) Milk production C) Four limbs D) Endothermy E) Insulating skin structu

What is constrictive pericarditis, Q. What is Constrictive pericarditis? ...

Q. What is Constrictive pericarditis? Constrictive pericarditis is the sequelae of chronic fibrosis and thickening of the pericardium as a result of chronic inflammation. E

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd