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

Medical management of chronic renal failure, Medical Management   In ch...

Medical Management   In chronic  renal failure  there  is irreversible renal failure. The goals of medical management are:   To promote maximal  renal  function  To ma

Contra indication in circulatory assist devices, Contra Indication :  It i...

Contra Indication :  It is absolutely contra indicated if their is more than trivial aortic regurgitation. Aortic aneurysm and severe aorto iliac disease are also contra indicatio

In unilocular ovary with a single ovule the placentation, In unilocular ova...

In unilocular ovary with a single ovule the placentation is : 1. Marginal 2. Basal 3. Free Central 4. Axile Basal

Emergence of contemporary biology, EMERGENC E OF CONTEMPORARY BIOLOGY - ...

EMERGENC E OF CONTEMPORARY BIOLOGY - 1 .       Aristotle (384-322BC) - Greek Classified animal species and arranged them in hierarchies. Formulated 'Great chain of

Define the symptoms of dry beriberi, Define the Symptoms of Dry beriberi? ...

Define the Symptoms of Dry beriberi? Early symptoms are similar to those found in wet beriberi. The muscles become progressively wasted and weak and walking becomes difficult.

Explain the working of skeletal muscle, Explain the working of Skeletal Mus...

Explain the working of Skeletal Muscle? Skeletal muscle is under voluntary control and is responsible for voluntary movements of body parts. Skeletal muscle is also called stri

How to investigate aortic stenosis by electrocardiogram, Q. How to investig...

Q. How to investigate aortic stenosis by Electrocardiogram? Typically left ventricular hypertrophy with strain pattern is seen in severe aortic stenosis. Total QRS amplitude in

Circulation of nutrients in the coastal zone, Circulation of nutrients in t...

Circulation of nutrients in the coastal zone Circulation of nutrients from the sea bottom to the upper surface, occurs in the coastal regions by two processes Upwelling

Lab report, Why making a smoke print of a leaf

Why making a smoke print of a leaf

Kidneys participate in the acid-basic equilibrium, Q. How do kidneys partic...

Q. How do kidneys participate in the regulation of the acid-basic equilibrium of the body? How are alkalosis and acidosis respectively corrected by the kidneys? Kidneys can reg

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