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

Morphological and anatomical evidences of evolution, MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANAT...

MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL EVIDENCES - (i ) HOMOLOGOUS ORGANS - The organs apparently similar or dissimilar in structure and function, but of similar embryonic origi

Applications of computers in medical and nursing, Applications of Computers...

Applications of Computers in Medical and Nursing Establishment As computers are heavily used for storing and retrieving data the application can be administrative, clinica

Explain about the term- chroma, Explain about the term- Chroma Chroma is...

Explain about the term- Chroma Chroma is the relative purity or strength of the spectral colour and its numerical value extend from (/0) for neutral colours to (/8) for the stro

What are the stages of soil, What are the Stages of soil The developmen...

What are the Stages of soil The development of soil takes place in two stages. In the first stage there is formation of parent material which is generally consolidated and cons

Complications during angina pectoris, Q. Complications during angina pector...

Q. Complications during angina pectoris? It is a symptom giving a warning of impending myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death or even ischemic necrosis of the brain leadin

Emf, In a neuron with a resting potential of -65 mV, the distribution of wh...

In a neuron with a resting potential of -65 mV, the distribution of which ion across the neuronal membrane represents the greatest potential electromotive force (EMF)? A. Potassiu

Define about the cellulose acetate electrophoresis (cae), Define about the ...

Define about the Cellulose acetate electrophoresis (CAE)? If the hydroxyl groups in cellulose are reacted with acetic anhydride, cellulose is acetylated to form the raw materia

Effect of metamorphic hormones on gene expression, Effect of Metamorphic Ho...

Effect of Metamorphic Hormones on Gene Expression Effect of metamorphic hormones on gene expression in moulting and metamorphosing insects, the first report of a particular ho

The eye refract the light, Which parts of the eye refract ('bend') the ligh...

Which parts of the eye refract ('bend') the light in such a way as to form an image on the retina?   The curved surface of the cornea, and the aqueous humour enclosed by it,

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