The male sex pheromone of the butterfly Bicyclus anynana: towards an evolutionary analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Female sex pheromones attracting mating partners over long distances are a major determinant of reproductive isolation and speciation in Lepidoptera. Males can also produce sex pheromones but their study, particularly in butterflies, has received little attention. A detailed comparison of sex pheromones in male butterflies with those of female moths would reveal patterns of conservation versus novelty in the associated behaviours, biosynthetic pathways, compounds, scent-releasing structures and receiving systems. Here we assess whether the African butterfly Bicyclus anynana, for which genetic, genomic, phylogenetic, ecological and ethological tools are available, represents a relevant model to contribute to such comparative studies.

Methodology/principal findings

SUBMITTER: Nieberding CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2447158 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature