Papilio Polytes Research Articles

AN EXPERIMENTAL TEST OF NATURAL SELECTION FOR PUPATION SITE IN SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLIES.

The pupae of some swallowtail butterflies are dimorphic-usually green or brown-while those of others are monomorphic. We have suggested (West and Hazel, 1979) that one important factor determining whether a species evolves dimorphism or monomorphism is the type of pupation site that the species uses. The use of a narrow range of cryptic sites in the leaf litter, for example, would favor monomorphic brown pupae, while the use of a variety of sites on exposed stalks, tree trunks, etc. would favor the ability to develop green or brown pupae in response to such substrate characteristics as color or texture (Hazel and West, 1979). This suggestion immediately raised the question why different species prefer different kinds of pupation sites to begin with. Clarke and Sheppard (1972) successfully selected for changes in pupation site preference in Papilio polytes, thereby revealing genetic variation in the trait, and we have shown (West and Hazel, 1979 and unpubl.) that there are some striking differences in natural pupation sites among six eastern North American swallowtails. Among these there are two species which, despite the similar forest habitats of their immature stages, prefer very different pupation sites: Papilio glaucus in the leaf litter and Battus philenor well off the ground on exposed surfaces like tree trunks and cliffs (West and Hazel, 1979). These species differ in two other important respects. Papilio glaucus lays eggs singly and widely spaced on trees (includ-

Genetic and environmental factors influencing pupal colour in the Swallowtail butterflies Battus philenor (L.) and Papilio polytes L.

SYNOPSISAn account is given of the correlation of pupal coloration in Battus philenor and Papilio polytes with the colour of the substratum on which the larva pupates.

The second female type (so-called pammon-type) of Papilio polytes polytes LINNAEUS collected on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands

The second female type (so-called pammon-type) of Papilio polytes polytes LINNAEUS collected on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands

Mimicry in Butterflies

THE scope and general arrangement of this work are indicated in the following list of its eleven chapters: (i.) A short introduction on teleological interpretations—theological and otherwise; (ii.) A historical account of Batesian and Müllerian mimicry; (iii.) Old-world mimics, with a very poor reproduction on p. 19 of Dr. Eltringham's illustrations of the fore-feet of butterflies; (iv.) New-world mimics; (v.) Criticisms of “the five conditions which Wallace regarded as constant for all cases of mimetic resemblance “; (vi.) “Mimicry rings,” a discussion on the origin of mimetic resemblances and initial steps; (vii and viii.) On Papilio polytes—the Mendelian relationship between its female forms and their origin; (ix.) The enemies of butterflies; (x.) Mimicry and variation; (xi.) Conclusion, summed up in the last words—“The facts, so far as we at present know them, tell definitely against the views generally held as to the part played by natural selection in the process of evolution”—viz., against the theory that adaptations are built up by the gradual accumulation of small variations. Mimicry in Butterflies. By Prof. R. C. Punnett. Pp. vi + 188 + xvi plates. (Cambridge: At the University Press, 1915.) Price 15s. net.

VII. An investigation by pedigree breeding into the polymorphism of Papilio polytes , Linn

The following paper gives an account of a series of breeding experiments which were made with the butterfly Papilio polytes , Linn., in the course of one and a half years’ research on insect polymorphism in Ceylon. In the first instance the experiments on butterflies were not limited to this species, but unfortunately all others proved refractory in captivity and were one by one discarded. More time therefore could be given to this, the only amenable species, and it was possible to make a number of observations on the habits of the imago which are suggestive in several ways, and justify a more extensive reference than is usual in papers on heredity. The first chapter of this paper, therefore, is devoted to observations on the species in captivity, especially to the pairing habits of the imagines. The second chapter deals with the results obtained from the pedigree breeding and their Mendelian interpretation, and a final chapter may be added to allow of a comparison with similar work on other species and of a summary of the conclusions to be derived from the investigation as a whole. P. polytes , as a classical example of mimicry, is too well known to need a full description here. As a subject for a detailed investigation it has peculiar advantages. It is trimorphic; this trimorphism is confined to the female sex; of the three forms of female, one resembles the male in general pattern, while the other two are mimetic, their models being P. hector , Linn., and P. aristolochiæ , Fabr. It would naturally be supposed that the female like the male would be known as the polytes ♀, but this is not the case, as one of the mimetic forms was first described under this name. To avoid confusion and to facilitate subsequent reference, the various forms of the species may be stated thus:— P. polytes ♀ form cyrus , Fabr., resembles the male. P. polytes ♀ form romulus , Cram., resembles P. hector , Linn. P. polytes ♀ form polytes , Linn., resembles P. aristolocliæ , Fabr.

XVI. Pupal coloration in Papilio polytes, Linn

Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of LondonVolume 61, Issue 2 p. 414-419 XVI. Pupal coloration in Papilio polytes, Linn J. C. F. Fryer M.A., F.E.S., J. C. F. Fryer M.A., F.E.S.Search for more papers by this author J. C. F. Fryer M.A., F.E.S., J. C. F. Fryer M.A., F.E.S.Search for more papers by this author First published: September 1913 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1913.tb01785.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume61, Issue2September 1913Pages 414-419 RelatedInformation

Societies and Academies

LONDON. Royal Society, May 29.—Sir Archibald Geikie, K.C.B., president, in the chair.—Prof. A. B. Macallum: Acineta tuberosa: a study on the action of surface tension in determining the distribution of salts in living matter. In previous investigations it was found that the salts demonstrated microchemically to occur in the living cell were not uniformly diffused but were condensed or “localised” at points in its cytoplasm, or at parts of its surface. Amongst such salts were the compounds of potassium, which are very soluble and ara not known to form precipitates in nature. It was concluded that some other force than simple osmotic pressure was concerned in this distribution of the salts, especially in the cases where the condensations were in those portions of the cell surface where, from the deformation observed, it was inferred that a lowering of surface tension was involved. The explanation advanced was that surface tension was the factor primarily concerned in these condensations. Two years ago an investigation of the distribution of potassium salts in MAcineta tuberosa, a marine Suctorian Protozoan, gave results which appear to place the matter beyond doubt. It would seem, from further investigations, that surface tension not only determines the condensations in the films and elsewhere in the organisms, but also maintains these condensations against the forces of diffusion.—Sir David Bruce, Majors D. Harvey and A. E. Hamerton, and Lady Bruce: Morphology of various strains of the trypanosome causing disease in man in Nyasaland. IV., The Mzimba strain.—Helen L. M. Pixell: Notes on Toxoplasma gondii.—J. C. F. Fryer: An investigation by pedigree breeding into the polymorphism of Papilio polytes, Linn.—Dr. S. Russ and Dr. Helen Chambers: The action of radium rays upon the cells of Jensen's rat sarcoma.