Hybrid speciation in Heliconius butterflies? A review and critique of the evidence

No Thumbnail Available
Date
2010-11-15
Authors
Brower, Andrew V. Z.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The evidence supporting the recent hypothesis of a homoploid hybrid origin for the butterfly species Heliconius heurippa is evaluated. Data from selective breeding experiments, mate-choice studies, and a wide variety of DNA markers are reviewed, and an alternative hypothesis for the origin of the species and its close relatives is proposed. A scenario of occasional red wing-pattern mutations in peripheral populations of Heliconius cydno with subsequent adaptive convergence towards sympatric mimicry rings involving H. melpomene and H. erato is offered as an alternative to the HHS hypothesis. Recent twists of this tale are addressed in a postscript.
Description
Keywords
Homoploid, Introgression, Admixture, Interspecific gene flow, Mimicry, Magic traits, Ecological speciation
Citation
Genetica. 2010 Nov 15;139(5):589
Collections