Two sisters in the same dress: Heliconius cryptic species.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sister species divergence and reproductive isolation commonly results from ecological adaptation. In mimetic Heliconius butterflies, shifts in colour pattern contribute to pre- and 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 florenci

SUBMITTER: Giraldo N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2632674 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature