Ítem
Acceso Abierto
Two sisters in the same dress: Heliconius cryptic species
Título de la revista
Autores
Giraldo, Nathalia
Salazar, Camilo
Jiggins, Chris D
Bermingham, Eldredge
Linares, Mauricio
Archivos
Fecha
2008-11-28
Directores
ISSN de la revista
Título del volumen
Editor
BioMed Central
Citations
Métricas alternativas
Resumen
Abstract
Background: Sister species divergence and reproductive isolation commonly results from ecological adaptation. In mimetic Heliconius butterflies, shifts in colour pattern contribute to preand post-mating reproductive isolation and are commonly correlated with speciation. Closely related mimetic species are therefore not expected, as they should lack several important sources of reproductive isolation. Results: Here we present phenotypic, behavioral and genetic evidence for the coexistence of two sympatric 'cryptic' species near Florencia in the eastern Andes of Colombia that share the same orange rayed colour pattern. These represent H. melpomene malleti and a novel taxon in the H. cydno group, here designated as novel race of Heliconius timareta, Heliconius timareta florencia. Nochoice mating experiments show that these sympatric forms have strong assortative mating (?96%) despite great similarity in colour pattern, implying enhanced divergence in pheromonal signals. Conclusion: We hypothesize that these species might have resulted from recent convergence in colour pattern, perhaps facilitated by hybrid introgression of wing pattern genes.
Palabras clave
Mariposas , Especies hermanas , Apareamiento
Keywords
Butterflies , Mimetic species , Insects
