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

Why is genetic homozygosity dangerous, Why is genetic homozygosity dangerou...

Why is genetic homozygosity dangerous to a nearly extinct species? Genetic homozygosity leaves no variation for natural selection to act on. Thus, a new disease could wipe

GRADE 8 SCIENCE, what effects do human technologies have on our water syste...

what effects do human technologies have on our water systems?

Explain insect resistance, In 2003 nearly 70 million hectares globally were...

In 2003 nearly 70 million hectares globally were planted in genetically modi?ed crops. Of these, 73%  were plants such as soybean, corn and cotton, which were modi?ed to be he

Constituents of cell walls in bacteria, Q. What are the main respective con...

Q. What are the main respective constituents of cell walls in bacteria, protists, fungi and plants? In bacteria the cell wall is made of peptidoglycans, amongst protists algae

Interesting areas of bioinformatics, Looking at what the academic world is ...

Looking at what the academic world is publishing, microarray research is actually hot right now, and people haven't quite figured out what the best way is (some might argue if we s

The genetic code within a dna molecule, How is a genetic trait determined b...

How is a genetic trait determined by the genetic code within a DNA molecule? A DNA molecule has 4 dissimilar bases, either CGTA. Any specific combination of these things forms

What are vectors of parasites, Q. What are vectors of parasites? The Ve...

Q. What are vectors of parasites? The Vectors of a parasite are organisms can transport the parasite during stages of its life cycle mediating the infection of other hosts. For

Determine the functions of human body system, Determine the function of hum...

Determine the function of human body system Human body has different systems to perform different functions. A system consists of organs to perform a particular set of function

Explain the term brown-sequard syndrome, Explain the term Brown-Sequard Syn...

Explain the term Brown-Sequard Syndrome Brown-Sequard syndrome is a rare spinal disorder that results from an injury to one side of the spinal cord in which the spinal cord is

How the wet beriberi developed rapidly, How the Wet beriberi Developed Rapi...

How the Wet beriberi Developed Rapidly? Oedema is the significant feature of wet beriberi. It may develop rapidly and involve not only the legs but also the face, trunk and ser

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