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

Autoregulation of coronary blood flow, The ability to maintain myocardial p...

The ability to maintain myocardial perfusion at constant levels in the face of changing driving presence is termed autoregulation. In normal cases, autoregulation is maintained at

Define cause of vitamin a deficiency - poverty and ignorance, Define cause ...

Define cause of vitamin a deficiency - Poverty and ignorance? Low purchasing power of the communities and their consequent inability to meet the nutrient requirements and tradi

Explain chemically defined or synthetic media-culture media, Explain Chemic...

Explain Chemically Defined or Synthetic Media - Culture Media? Synthetic media are those media where detailed composition of the medium is known in terms of the chemical nature

Final atp count in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, Degrade a monoglyceride...

Degrade a monoglyceride that has an 18-carbon fatty acid attached to it by Ester bonds. You will have to degrade the glycerol component followed by the fatty acid in presence of O2

Determine the process of circulatory system, How does the circulatory syste...

How does the circulatory system participate in the functioning of the endocrine system? The circulatory system is fundamental for the performance of the endocrine system. The b

Define preoperative care prior to endodontic microsurgery, Define Preoperat...

Define Preoperative Care Prior to Endodontic Microsurgery a.Thorough medical history "consultation and permission from the physician is the patient has systemic disease(s) and

Handling animals in lab, Handling : The desire for survival is same whethe...

Handling : The desire for survival is same whether in animals or human beings. You may be aware of the ability of even tiny animals to scratch and bite. So we won't say any more o

Determine what is the Cell Cycle, The cell cycle undergoes a sequence of ch...

The cell cycle undergoes a sequence of changes which involve a period of growth replication of DNA, Followed by cell division. This sequence of changes is called cell cycle.

Animal reproduction, Animal Reproduction - Reproduction is the ability ...

Animal Reproduction - Reproduction is the ability to produce new organism of its own type. It is meant to increase their number. Reproduction includes - (i) Replication o

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