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

Explain the endochondral ossification, Explain the endochondral ossificatio...

Explain the endochondral ossification The second type of osteogenesis is endochondral ossification. This process is different from intramembranous ossification in that it occur

What is molecular weight, What is molecular weight? Molecular Weight ...

What is molecular weight? Molecular Weight :  The molecular weight of a molecule refers to the sum of the atomic weights of all the atoms making up the molecule. The gram mol

Explain about the microcolony deft, Explain about the Microcolony DEFT? ...

Explain about the Microcolony DEFT? It allows determination of viable cells. Food homogenate is filtered through a DEFT membrane and then placed on the surface of appropriate c

Lead to protein denaturation, Q. What are some factors that can lead to pro...

Q. What are some factors that can lead to protein denaturation? Protein denaturation can be caused by temperature variation, pH change, changes in the concentration of surround

Gastrulation, Gastrulation  Gastrulation is the process through whic...

Gastrulation  Gastrulation is the process through which the presumptive areas of organ specific rudimetns present on the surface of blastula move to their specific position

Manx cats are heterozygous for a dominant mutation, Manx cats are heterozyg...

Manx cats are heterozygous for a dominant mutation that results in no tails or very short tails, large hind legs and a distinctive gait. The mating of two Manx cats yields two Manx

Define the public nutrition, Define the Public Nutrition Public nutriti...

Define the Public Nutrition Public nutrition is concerned with improving nutrition in populations in both poor and industrialized countries, linking with continuity and public

Determine the use of opg, Determine the use of  OPG An OPG is used to...

Determine the use of  OPG An OPG is used to see the possibility for an anterior loop which is found to extend about 1-3 mm anterior to the mental foramen in about 12 per cent

Flatworms, What are the adaptions flatworms neeed in order to live in their...

What are the adaptions flatworms neeed in order to live in their environment?

What is the nature of the stimulus received, What is the nature of the stim...

What is the nature of the stimulus received and transmitted by the neurons? Neurons receive and transmit chemical stimuli by neurotransmitters released in the synapses. Along

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