Phylogenetic analysis of Morpho butterflies (Nymphalidae, Morphinae) : implications for classification and natural history. American Museum novitates ; no. 3374

Supplemental Materials

Date

2002

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

New York, NY : American Museum of Natural History

DOI

DOI

Abstract

The classification of butterflies in the widely recognized genus Morpho previously used subgenera that were assumed to constitute natural species groups. Cladistic analysis of 120 characters provided a well-resolved tree showing that some subgenera do not constitute monophyletic groups. This study supported some traditional taxonomic species groupings, but rejected the concept of subgenera for Morpho. Therefore, we formally redefined the genus to be consonant with the assumptions of phylogenetic classification. Predictions about Morpho life histories, the correlation of color pattern and flight behavior with vertical flight height, and the evolution of sexual dimorphism are discussed in light of our phylogeny.

Description

33 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 18-19).

Keywords

Citation