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Reproductive isolation caused by colour pattern mimicry

Author

Listed:
  • Chris D. Jiggins

    (The Galton Laboratory, University College London
    Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 2072)

  • Russell E. Naisbit

    (The Galton Laboratory, University College London)

  • Rebecca L. Coe

    (Downing College, The University of Cambridge)

  • James Mallet

    (The Galton Laboratory, University College London
    Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 2072)

Abstract

Speciation is facilitated if ecological adaptation directly causes assortative mating1, but few natural examples are known. Here we show that a shift in colour pattern mimicry was crucial in the origin of two butterfly species. The sister species Heliconius melpomene and Heliconius cydno recently diverged to mimic different model taxa, and our experiments show that their mimetic coloration is also important in choosing mates. Assortative mating between the sister species means that hybridization is rare in nature, and the few hybrids that are produced are non-mimetic, poorly adapted intermediates. Thus, the mimetic shift has caused both pre-mating and post-mating isolation. In addition, individuals from a population of H. melpomene allopatric to H. cydno court and mate with H. cydno more readily than those from a sympatric population. This suggests that assortative mating has been enhanced in sympatry.

Suggested Citation

  • Chris D. Jiggins & Russell E. Naisbit & Rebecca L. Coe & James Mallet, 2001. "Reproductive isolation caused by colour pattern mimicry," Nature, Nature, vol. 411(6835), pages 302-305, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:411:y:2001:i:6835:d:10.1038_35077075
    DOI: 10.1038/35077075
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