title: Variation in wing pattern and palatability in a female-limited polymorphic mimicry system.
abstract: Checkerspot butterflies in the genera Euphydryas and Chlosyne exhibit phenotypic polymorphisms along a well-defined latitudinal and elevational gradient in California. The patterns of phenotypic variation in Euphydryas chalcedona, Chlosyne palla, and Chlosyne hoffmanni suggest a mimetic relationship; in addition, the specific patterns of variation in C. palla suggest a female-limited polymorphic mimicry system (FPM). However, the existence of polymorphic models runs counter to predictions of mimicry theory. Palatability trials were undertaken to assess whether or not the different color morphs of each species were distasteful or toxic to a generalized avian predator, the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Results indicate that the black morph of E. chalcedona is distasteful, but not toxic, to predators, while the red morph is palatable. C . hoffmanni and both color morphs of C. palla are palatable to predators. Predators that learn to reject black E. chalcedona also reject black C. palla, suggesting that the latter is a FPM of the former. C. hoffmanni does not appear to be involved in this mimetic relationship.
authors.affiliation: Center for Population Biology, University of California Davis Davis, California ; Entomology Section, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Los Angeles, California ; UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Elizabeth C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California Davis Davis, California.
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.affiliation: Center for Population Biology, University of California Davis Davis, California ; Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis Davis, California.
authors.forename: Arthur M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Shapiro
keywords: Batesian mimicry; Chlosyne hoffmanni; Chlosyne palla; Euphydryas chalcedona; palatability