Cryptic genetic and wing pattern diversity in a mimetic Heliconius butterfly.

ABSTRACT: Despite rampant colour pattern diversity in South America, Heliconius erato exhibits a 'postman' wing pattern throughout most of Central America. We examined genetic variation across the range of H. erato, including dense sampling in Central America, and discovered a deep genetic break, centred on the mountain range that runs through Costa Rica. This break is characterized by a novel mitochondrial lineage, which is nearly fixed in northern Central America, that branches basal to all previously described mitochondrial diversity in the species. Strong genetic differentiation also appears in Z-linked and autosomal markers, and it is further associated with a distinct, but subtle, shift in wing pattern phenotype. Comparison of clines in wing phenotype, mtDNA and nuclear markers indicate they a

SUBMITTER: Hill RI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3669692 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature