Mimicry and extensive geographical subspecies polymorphism combine to make species in the ithomiine butterfly genus Mechanitis (Lepidoptera; Nymphalidae) difficult to determine. We use mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) barcoding, nuclear sequences and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genotyping to investigate species limits in this genus. Although earlier biosystematic studies based on mor...

It is difficult to interpret mitochondrial diversity in terms of taxonomy even in cases in which a concordance exists between mitochondrial, ecological and morphological markers. Here we demonstrate this difficulty through a study of Israeli Hyponephele butterflies. We show that samples commonly identified as Hyponephele lycaon are represented on Mount Hermon in Israel by two sympatric groups o...

Fluctuating asymmetry is often used as a measure of developmental instability, although its developmental basis is poorly understood. Theoretical models and experimental studies have suggested that feedback interactions between structures on the left and right sides of the body play a pivotal role in the control of asymmetry. Here we provide experimental evidence that competition for a limiting...

Wetlands are among most threatened habitats of world due to many reasons including anthropogenic pressure. Chandertal wetland consists grassy meadows and a half moon shaped rock basin Lake (4270 m above mean sea level). It is designated as inernational Ramsar site also wildlife sanctuary. Survey on butterflies was carried out there by considering the importance fragility this cold desert ecosys...

Butterflies are a group of insects with high species diversity and closely related to environmental factors that affect their presence abundance in habitat. This study aimed analyze the butterfly populations PPKA Bodogol, Sukabumi, West Java. Observation butterflies was carried out using 700 m long transect method camera sweeping nets along existing paths two locations, namely heterogeneous for...

During the three-year period of investigations, species from families Depressariidae Meyrick, 1883, Pyralidae Latreille, 1809, Crambidae 1810, Lycaenidae Leach, 1815, Nymphalidae Rafinesque, Geometridae 1815 and Erebidae were investigated. Investigations carried out in 20 localities, distributed throughout entire territory Montenegro. Two are listed for Montenegro first time: Hypoxystis pluviar...

The external morphology and the tegument ultra-structure of Prepona laertes laertes (Hübner, [1811]) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Charaxinae) eggs and first instar larvae feeding on Inga spp. (Fabaceae) in a forest fragment in Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil, are described. Descriptions of the morphology with illustrations are presented, based upon observations through scanning electron microsc...

Nymphalidae is the largest family of butterflies with their phylogenetic relationships not adequately approached to date. The mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of 11 new nymphalid species were reported and a comparative mitogenomic analysis was conducted together with other 22 available nymphalid mitogenomes. A phylogenetic analysis of the 33 species from all 13 currently recognized nymphalid...