The evolution of alternative parasitic life histories in large blue butterflies
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The evolution of alternative parasitic life histories in large blue butterflies. / Als, Thomas D.; Vila, Roger; Kandul, Nikolai P; Nash, David R.; Yen, Shen-Horn; Hsu, Yu-Feng; Mignault, André A; Boomsma, Jacobus J.; Pierce, Naomi E.
In: Nature, Vol. 432, No. 7015, 2004, p. 386-390.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The evolution of alternative parasitic life histories in large blue butterflies
AU - Als, Thomas D.
AU - Vila, Roger
AU - Kandul, Nikolai P
AU - Nash, David R.
AU - Yen, Shen-Horn
AU - Hsu, Yu-Feng
AU - Mignault, André A
AU - Boomsma, Jacobus J.
AU - Pierce, Naomi E.
N1 - Keywords: Animals; Ants; Bayes Theorem; Butterflies; Evolution; Female; Flowers; Host-Parasite Interactions; Life Cycle Stages; Likelihood Functions; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Predatory Behavior; Time Factors
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Large blue (Maculinea) butterflies are highly endangered throughout the Palaearctic region, and have been the focus of intense conservation research. In addition, their extraordinary parasitic lifestyles make them ideal for studies of life history evolution. Early instars consume flower buds of specific host plants, but later instars live in ant nests where they either devour the brood (predators), or are fed mouth-to-mouth by the adult ants (cuckoos). Here we present the phylogeny for the group, which shows that it is a monophyletic clade nested within Phengaris, a rare Oriental genus whose species have similar life histories. Cuckoo species are likely to have evolved from predatory ancestors. As early as five million years ago, two Maculinea clades diverged, leading to the different parasitic strategies seen in the genus today. Contrary to current belief, the two recognized cuckoo species show little genetic divergence and are probably a single ecologically differentiated species. On the other hand, some of the predatory morphospecies exhibit considerable genetic divergence and may contain cryptic species. These findings have important implications for conservation and reintroduction efforts. Udgivelsesdato: 2004-Nov-18
AB - Large blue (Maculinea) butterflies are highly endangered throughout the Palaearctic region, and have been the focus of intense conservation research. In addition, their extraordinary parasitic lifestyles make them ideal for studies of life history evolution. Early instars consume flower buds of specific host plants, but later instars live in ant nests where they either devour the brood (predators), or are fed mouth-to-mouth by the adult ants (cuckoos). Here we present the phylogeny for the group, which shows that it is a monophyletic clade nested within Phengaris, a rare Oriental genus whose species have similar life histories. Cuckoo species are likely to have evolved from predatory ancestors. As early as five million years ago, two Maculinea clades diverged, leading to the different parasitic strategies seen in the genus today. Contrary to current belief, the two recognized cuckoo species show little genetic divergence and are probably a single ecologically differentiated species. On the other hand, some of the predatory morphospecies exhibit considerable genetic divergence and may contain cryptic species. These findings have important implications for conservation and reintroduction efforts. Udgivelsesdato: 2004-Nov-18
U2 - 10.1038/nature03020
DO - 10.1038/nature03020
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 15549104
VL - 432
SP - 386
EP - 390
JO - Nature
JF - Nature
SN - 0028-0836
IS - 7015
ER -
ID: 2688708