Esterase polymorphism in the butterfly Hemiargus isola: stability in a variable environment.
A dimeric esterase of a lycaenid butterfly shows rich, electrophoretically-detectable variation in natural populations in Texas. This isozyme variation is controlled by multiple alleles at an autosomal locus (Es-d). In each population sampled there are 9-14 alleles, two of which (Es-d(100) and Es-d(80)) predominate and form about 84% of the gene pool. Against the background of numerous rarer alleles, their frequencies are notably stable (about 65% and 19%, respectively) in ecologically variable space and time. Although adults (especially females) are capable of genetically effective dispersal, environmental heterogeneity within each locality is thought to be the prime factor maintaining the polymorphism.
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D004463:Ecology; D004586:Electrophoresis; D004950:Esterases / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D005787:Gene Frequency; D007313:Insecta / Q000378:metabolism*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008967:Molecular Biology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013213:Starch; D013781:Texas
D005782:Gels; D007527:Isoenzymes; D013213:Starch; D004950:Esterases