The evolution and genetics of sexually dimorphic 'dual' mimicry in the butterfly Elymnias hypermnestra.

ABSTRACT: Sexual dimorphism is a major component of morphological variation across the tree of life, but the mechanisms underlying phenotypic differences between sexes of a single species are poorly understood. We examined the population genomics and biogeography of the common palmfly Elymnias hypermnestra, a dual mimic in which female wing colour patterns are either dark brown (melanic) or bright orange, mimicking toxic Euploea and Danaus species, respectively. As males always have a melanic wing colour pattern, this makes E. hypermnestra a fascinating model organism in which populations vary in sexual dimorphism. Population structure analysis revealed that there were three genetically distinct E. hypermnestra populations, which we further validated by creating a

SUBMITTER: Ruttenberg DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7892425 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature