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

What is the futile cycle, What is the futile cycle The futile cycle is ...

What is the futile cycle The futile cycle is avoided because covalent modification, by  phosphorylation, has opposite effects on  the  enzymes concerned with  the  synthesis  a

Intermediate products of anaerobic respiration, (a) What are the intermedia...

(a) What are the intermediate products of anaerobic respiration in an active muscle? (b) Which of them is associated with oxygen debt? (c) In what way is th

Are viruses cellular beings, Are viruses cellular beings? Viruses are m...

Are viruses cellular beings? Viruses are measured as living beings but they do not have cellular structure. There is some argument regarding their classification as living b

What do you understand by carcinogen, What do you understand by Carcinogen?...

What do you understand by Carcinogen? Carcinogen is an agent or a process, which significantly triggers the cell to grow in an uncontrolled manner producing malignant neoplasm

What is streatorrhoea, Q. What is Streatorrhoea? Streatorrhoea is more ...

Q. What is Streatorrhoea? Streatorrhoea is more common in Crohn's disease due to heal resection. This may favour calcium-fatty acid complex formation and increased excretion. I

Limitations of ecological pyramids, Limitations of Ecological Pyramids ...

Limitations of Ecological Pyramids The pyramid of energy is a significant improvement over the previous two types of ecological pyramids, yet all of them overlook one or anot

What is the difference between haploid and diploid, What is the difference ...

What is the difference between haploid and diploid? why are so many anesthesias fat solvents Why is it important for core body temperature to stay more constant than skin tem

Carbohydrates, Carbohydrates Fifty five to seventy per cent of the re...

Carbohydrates Fifty five to seventy per cent of the required energy in animals is derived from carbohydrates. However, fats and proteins can also be broken down and used for

Explain greenhouse gases, The two gases making highest relative contributio...

The two gases making highest relative contribution to the greenhouse gases are: 1. CO2 and CH4 2. CH4 and N2O 3. CFC55 and N2O 4. CO2 and N2O CO2 and CH4

What is probing depth, What is Probing depth Probing depths can be infl...

What is Probing depth Probing depths can be influenced by the tissue type- shallow depths are associated with a keratinized collar, whereas deeper depths are associated with mo

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