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

How vitamin e provide synthesis of enzymes and proteins, How Vitamin E prov...

How Vitamin E provide Synthesis of enzymes and proteins? 1) Synthesis of enzymes and proteins: It serves as a co-repressor in the synthesis of certain enzymes and plays a speci

Subphylum mastigophora, Subphylum Mastigophora One or more flagella p...

Subphylum Mastigophora One or more flagella present in adult stages; autotrophic or heterotrophic nutrition; reproduction usually asexual by fission. Class - Phytomasti

Explain about the tray and tunnel dryers, Explain about the Tray and Tunnel...

Explain about the Tray and Tunnel Dryers? Tray and tunnel dryers are widely used in the food industry. In both cases the material being dried is supported on multiple trays, wi

Amoebas, two types of amoebas waste and how they get rid of them

two types of amoebas waste and how they get rid of them

Surface run-off - causes of water pollution, Surface Run-off - Causes of Wa...

Surface Run-off - Causes of Water Pollution The surface run-off from cultivated lands where inorganic fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides and rich manure are applied and sol

Mycoplasmosis, Mycoplasmosis Mycoplasmas are the aetiological agents o...

Mycoplasmosis Mycoplasmas are the aetiological agents of bovine pleuropneumonia in cattle caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides, caprine pleuropneumonia in goats cause

Explain activators, Activators Activity  of many  enzymes is  influence...

Activators Activity  of many  enzymes is  influenced by  certain ions called as activators. Large number of enzymes such as hexokinase that require ATF are also in need of diva

Explain cellular regeneration, Q. What is the cellular regeneration? How is...

Q. What is the cellular regeneration? How is the mitosis related to this process? Some tissues are capable to regenerate when injured. The liver, for instance, regenerates when

What are the zymogens, Q. What are the zymogens? proenzymes, or Zymogen...

Q. What are the zymogens? proenzymes, or Zymogens, are enzymes secreted in inactive form. Under some conditions a zymogen shifts to the active form of the enzyme. Zymogen secre

Hybrid sterility, Hybrid sterility can be regarded as yet another form of i...

Hybrid sterility can be regarded as yet another form of interspecific sterility. The offspring of the interspecific crosses are mainly sterile. Geological studies have shown that t

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