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

Collecting tubule - vertebrate kidney, Normal 0 false false ...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Define citric acid cycle, The citric acid cycle also called as the TCA cycl...

The citric acid cycle also called as the TCA cycle (tricarboxylic acid cycle) and the Krebs cycle or the Szent-Györgyi-Krebs cycle is a series of chemical reactions used by all aer

Explain about mandible, Q. Explain about Mandible? In the mandible, att...

Q. Explain about Mandible? In the mandible, attached keratinized tissue normally atrophies with the underlying bone. As a result there is generally a relatively narrow band of

Homologous structures, Homologous structures are the body parts in differe...

Homologous structures are the body parts in different organisms which have similar bones and similar arrangements of the blood vessels, muscles, and nerves and go through similar

What is population density, Q. What is population density? The Populati...

Q. What is population density? The Population density is the relation between the number of individuals of a population and the area or volume they occupy. For instance, in 200

Explain the nutritional and functional role of zinc, Minerals  :-  Zinc ...

Minerals  :-  Zinc Food Source      Meats, cereals.  Nutritional Functional role Essential nutrient: Deficiency produces loss of appetite, growth retardation, skin

Define briefly about the pyridoxine vitamin, Define Briefly about the Pyrid...

Define Briefly about the Pyridoxine vitamin B 6 ? Pyridoxine or vitamin B 6 is one of the B complex vitamins which prevents and cures dermatitis in rats fed on vitamin B 6 de

How to calculate hydrogen ion concentration, Q. How to calculate Hydrogen I...

Q. How to calculate Hydrogen Ion Concentration? Ans. The hydrogen ion concentration has a significant role to play in growth of bacteria as every microorganism has a minim

Open heart surgery, OPEN HEART SURGERY : When patient is connected lo ca...

OPEN HEART SURGERY : When patient is connected lo cardio pulmonary bypass for an operative procedure, it is considered to be open-heart operation. In a routine coronary artery b

Equipment and supplies -pre-requisite of nursing unit, Equipment and Suppli...

Equipment and Supplies: Nurses who are aware of location of equipment and supplies do give accurate delivery of patient care without delay and wastage of  time and energy for

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