Hybrid speciation in Heliconius butterflies? A review and critique of the evidence.
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.
Evolution and Ecology Group, Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA. abrower@mtsu.edu
Andrew V Z
AV
Brower
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D002080:Butterflies / Q000235:genetics*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D049810:Genetic Speciation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D008359:Mannose-6-Phosphate Isomerase / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D013045:Species Specificity; D014305:Triose-Phosphate Isomerase / Q000235:genetics
D005819:Genetic Markers; D014305:Triose-Phosphate Isomerase; D008359:Mannose-6-Phosphate Isomerase