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 form that produces gametes, In the metagenesis of Aurelia and O...

In the metagenesis of Aurelia and Obelia what is the form that produces gametes? What is the form that reproduces asexually? In the metagenesis of some coelenterates, like Obel

Cells, #question.why are active cells small .

#question.why are active cells small .

How cad patients response in hypertenstion, Q. How CAD Patients Response in...

Q. How CAD Patients Response in Hypertenstion? An exercise rise in systolic blood pressure (over 200 mm Hg) has been used as a reason to terminate exercise in some centers. She

Explain the life cycle of water, Explain the life cycle of Water? The ...

Explain the life cycle of Water? The water cycle , or hydrologic cycle, is one of the most important processes to living organisms on Earth. Consider the following facts:

Adrenal glands, Adrenal glands There are two adrenal glands one each...

Adrenal glands There are two adrenal glands one each on the top of each kidney. Adrenal gland has two parts, the outer cortex and inner medulla. Both cortex and medull

Digestive system, which enzymes are required for digestion in cockroach?

which enzymes are required for digestion in cockroach?

Change in structure of a protein, Q. Is it expected that a change in the pr...

Q. Is it expected that a change in the primary, in the secondary or in the tertiary structure of a protein will produce furthermore functional consequences? Any change of the p

List four possible after-effects of solvent abuse, List four possible after...

List four possible after-effects of solvent abuse (glue-sniffing). Possible after-effects of solvent abuse are headache, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, runny nose, a rash round

Describe the principles of dna sequencing, The ability to sequence DNA has ...

The ability to sequence DNA has led to a revolution in molecular biology. a) Describe the principles of DNA sequencing. b) A single sequencing reaction yields at best 1500 ba

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