Heliconius Melpomene

''Heliconius melpomene'', the postman butterfly, common postman or simply postman, is a brightly colored, geographically variable butterfly species found throughout Central and South America. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. Its coloration coevolved with another member of the genus, '' H. erato'', as a warning to predators of its inedibility; this is an example of Müllerian mimicry. ''H. melpomene'' was one of the first butterfly species observed to forage for pollen, a behavior that is common in other insect groups but rare in butterflies. Because of the recent rapid evolutionary radiation of the genus ''Heliconius'' and overlapping of its habitat with other related species, ''H. melpomene'' has been the subject of extensive study on speciation and hybridization. These hybrids tend to have low fitness as they look different from the original species and no longer exhibit Müllerian mimicry.

''Heliconius melpomene'' possesses ultraviolet vision which enhances its ability to distinguish subtle differences between markings on the wings of other butterflies. This allows the butterfly to avoid mating with other species that share the same geographic range.

Description

The postman butterfly is predominately black with either red or yellow bands across the forewings. The postman butterfly has large long wings (35–39 mm). It is poisonous, and the red patterns on its wings are an example of aposematism. They look similar to '' H. erato''. Two features found on the underside of the hind wings help to distinguish ''H. erato'' from ''H. melpomene''—''H. erato'' usually has four red dots where the wing attaches to the thorax while ''H. melpomene'' usually has three. In Mexico, Central America and the west coast of Colombia and Ecuador, the yellowish-white stripe on the underside reaches the margin of the hindwing in ''H. erato'' but ends before reaching the margin in ''H. melpomene''.

There are many geographical races/subspecies/ morphs of this butterfly throughout Central and South America. The geographical variation in patterns has been studied using linkage mapping and it has been found that the patterns are associated with a small number of genetic loci called genomic "hotspots". Hotspot loci for color patterning have been found homologous between co-mimics ''H. erato'' and ''H. melpomene'', strengthening evidence for parallel evolution between the two species, across morph patterns.

Geographic range and habitat

''Heliconius melpomene'' is found from Central America to South America, especially on the slopes of the Andes mountains. It most commonly inhabits open terrain and forest edges, although it can also be found near the edges of rivers and streams. It shares its range with other ''Heliconius'' species, and ''H. melpomene'' is usually less abundant than other species.

Origins

A recent study, using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and mitochondrial DNA datasets, places the origin of ''H. melpomene'' to 2.1 million years ago. ''H. melpomene'' shows clustering of AFLPs by geography suggesting that the species originated in eastern South America.

Food resources

Caterpillars

Caterpillars of ''Heliconius'' exhibit a behavior known as monophagy, meaning they feed on only one kind of plant, specifically the genus ''Passiflora''. In ''H. melpomene'', the host plants are limited to '' Passiflora oerstedii'' and '' Passiflora menispermifolia''. Species of the genus ''Passiflora'' have evolved many chemical defenses, but ''Heliconius'' caterpillars have developed adaptations that allow them to continue to feed on the plants and actually incorporate the toxic compounds into their systems and make them unpalatable to predators. These interactions make ''Heliconius'' and ''Passiflora'' a model system for studies of coevolution.

Adults

Diet

Unlike most other butterflies, several ''Heliconius'' species have been observed eating pollen as well as nectar. The exact mechanism by which the butterfly digests the pollen is uncertain; it was originally thought that once the pollen was soaked in nectar after ingestion, it would then be able to be digested by the butterfly. Recently, however, the enzyme protease was discovered in the butterfly's saliva, which implies an adaptation for breaking down pollen. This enzyme was found in higher concentrations in the saliva of female butterflies, likely due to the greater need of nutrition associated with reproduction. These adaptations allow the butterflies to extract important amino acids from the pollen, which, in addition to general nutrition benefits, allows ''H. melpomene'' to have brighter colors and be more distasteful to predators than their non-pollen-foraging counterparts. It is thought that this foraging adaptation and subsequent enhancement of coloration contributed to the speciation of ''Heliconius''.

Pollination

Pollen is a rarely utilized but efficient protein source for ''Lepidoptera'' species. While foraging for pollen, adults accumulate pollen on the end of their proboscis and the grains stay there for long periods of time. These pollen grains are transferred to the stamen of another plant the butterfly visits while foraging. While there are many plants in ''H. melpomene'' range that provide suitable nutrients, only a few of these are visited by the butterfly. This makes the butterfly an efficient pollinator for the flowers it visits as there is a low likelihood of a plant receiving the wrong kind of pollen.

Parental care

By foraging for pollen while developing eggs, female ''H. melpomene'' butterflies provide valuable amino acids and proteins to their offspring. This reduces the amount of time that the offspring must spend foraging during the larval stage, and thus decreases the chances of larval predation. While this extra foraging behavior on the part of the female increases her likelihood of being eaten, the warning colors highlighting her distaste protect her from would be predators.

Oviposition

Female ''H. melpomene'' butterflies recognize host plants by identifying the corresponding chemical compound using chemoreceptors located on her forelegs. When searching for a plant, the butterfly will drum her legs on the plant in order to detect the chemical compounds the plant releases. Once she has found the correct host plant, she will lay eggs singly on separate young leaves. Finding the correct host plant is crucial as ''H. melpomene'' larvae are adapted to only feed on certain ''Passiflora'' plants.

Life cycle

The eggs of ''H. melpomene'' are yellow and approximately 1.5 x 1 mm. They are mostly laid singly or rarely in small clusters on the young leaves of ''Passiflora'' plants. Caterpillars live in groups of two to three individuals and are white with black spots. Pupae are spiny and dark brown in color. The adults have black bodies with bright yellow or orange patterns on the wings. Female ''H. melpomene'' produce oocytes continuously throughout their life; this is due to the high nutrient diet the butterfly obtains from eating pollen. Closely related ''Heliconius'' species have been reported to have a maximum life span of six months, and it is likely that ''H. melpomene'' lives for a similar length of time.

Protective coloration and behavior

Mimicry

''Heliconius melpomene'' coevolved with its sister species, '' H. erato'', each developing similar bright color patterns. The ''H. melpomene'' patterns correspond to at least 20 of the 27 ''H. erato'' subspecies. This coloration warns potential predators that the butterflies are distasteful and should be avoided; this is an example of aposematism. Since both species possess this acrid taste, they display what is known as Müllerian mimicry. Despite their easily confused coloration, these two species are able to exist in the same habitat range because they are reproductively isolated due to adaptations in the eyes of the butterflies that allow for better distinction between individuals.

Chemical defense

Both males and females release a strong odor detectable even to humans when handled in order to deter predation. Additionally, ''H. melpomene'' butterflies render themselves unpalatable to predators such as birds by producing cyanogenic glycosides in both the larval and adult stages. These glycosides are incorporated into the insect's system by feeding on host plants that produce the compounds as a defense against herbivory.

Communal roosting

Individuals of the genus ''Heliconius'' form large communal roosts which they return to each night after foraging. The reason for this behavior was not well characterized until recently when it was determined that the large aggregations of butterflies provided protection from predators. Butterflies fare better in these groups for two reasons. First, the prey dilution effect lowers the likelihood that one particular individual will be eaten because of the large number of other individuals that are in the area. Second, the congregation of the brightly colored individuals is more likely to deter predators by making the warning coloration more prominent.

Genetics

Hybridization

Due to its overlapping range with many closely related species, ''H. melpomene'' sometimes hybridizes in nature despite adaptations meant to counteract this. Females resulting from the cross of ''H. melpomene'' and '' H. cydno'' are sterile. While hybrid males are not sterile, they exhibit patterns that are intermediate between the crossed species and thus the males are unlikely to be recognized as mates by either species. Furthermore, the patterns on both sexes will be non-mimetic, meaning they will not be recognized by predators as displays of distaste. Therefore, the hybrids resulting from the cross of ''H. melpomene'' with other ''Heliconius'' species have low fitness and are not likely to persist.

Hybrid speciation

Hybridisation of ''Heliconius melpomene'' with '' Heliconius pardalinus'' resulted in the hybrid speciation of '' Heliconius elevatus''.A new butterfly species was created by two species hybridising 200,000 years ago. (2024, April 17). Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB). Retrieved April 21, 2024, from https://leibniz-lib.de/en/2024-04-17-new-butterfly-species/Rosser, N., Seixas, F., Queste, L.M. et al. Hybrid speciation driven by multilocus introgression of ecological traits. Nature (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07263-w

Subspecies

Subspecies of ''H. melpomene'' include:Wahlberg N. (last change 1 August 2022)
Heliconiini
Nymphalidae.net. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
* ''H. m. aglaope'' (C. & R. Felder, 1862) (Amazonian foothills of Ecuador and Peru)
* ''H. m. amandus'' (Grose-Smith & Kirby, 1892) (Bolivia)
* ''H. m. amaryllis'' (C. & R. Felder, 1862) (Tarapoto Valley, Peru)
* ''H. m. cythera'' (Hewitson, 1869) (western slopes od Ecuador)
* ''H. m. euryades'' (Riffarth, 1900) (southeastern Peru)
* ''H. m. malleti'' (Lamas, 1988) (western Amazonia)
* ''H. m. melpomene'' (Linnaeus, 1758) (northern coast of South America from Panama to the Amazon)
* ''H. m. meriana'' (Turner, 1967) (Guianas)
* ''H. m. nanna'' (Stichel, 1899) (Atlantic coastal forest of Brazil)
* ''H. m. penelope'' (Staudinger, 1894) (Bolivia)
* ''H. m. plesseni'' (Riffarth, 1907)(Andean foothills of eastern Ecuador)
* ''H. m. rosina'' (Boisduval, 1870) (Central America)
* ''H. m. thelxiope'' (Hübner, 806 (eastern Brazil, south of the Amazon)
* ''H. m. vicinus'' (Ménétriés, 1847) (Rio Negro, Brazil and southern Venezuela)
* ''H. m. vulcanus'' (Butler, 1865) (Choco (western slope of Colombia))
* ''H. m. xenoclea'' (Hewitson, 853/small> (Rio Perene. eastern Peru)

Mating

Mate searching

When searching for mates, males of ''H. melpomene'' exhibit patrolling behavior, which involves searching for potential mates while flying around the range that the species inhabits. This requires the ability to distinguish ''H. melpomene'' females from those of other species, a key adaptation of the butterfly.

Female/male interactions

Male ''H. melpomene'' possess abdominal claspers that are used to grasp females for forced copulations. During mating, the male passes nutrients in a spermatophore; the female can use this nuptial gift to nourish the fertilizing eggs inside her. In addition to the spermatophore, males also deliver a pheromone to the female that is an antiaphrodisiac to other males. This increases the likelihood of the male's reproductive success by preventing the female from mating with any other males, which ensures that only the original male's sperm will be used to fertilize the female's eggs.. The pheromone is produced only by males and is secreted to identify themselves to other males, so the antiaphrodisiac works by making the female smell like a male. After a period of time the pheromone wears off and the female is able to mate again, which she will do several times throughout her life.

Physiology

Vision

Due to a duplication in a gene for UV light detection, ''H. melpomene'' individuals are capable of distinguishing between a wider range of yellow shades than other butterfly species. Additionally, when looking for mates, the butterflies distinguish conspecifics from hybrids and heterospecifics by detecting subtle changes in marking patterns on wings. These adaptations allow the butterflies to avoid genetically costly mates, as hybrid females are sterile and hybrid males in this system are less fit due to disruptive sexual selection.

Gustation/tasting

While both sexes of ''H. melpomene'' possess taste receptors on their hindlegs, only the female butterflies have the receptors on the forelegs; this is an example of sexual dimorphism. The taste receptors are used by both sexes in order to find food and mates, but the female also uses the sense to find suitable host plants for her eggs. These taste receptors are highly specialized due to the coevolution with the ''Passiflora'' plant.

Gallery

File:Heliconius melpomene penelope MHNT dos Male.jpg, ''H. m. penelope'', male, dorsal
File:Heliconius melpomene penelope MHNT ventre Male.jpg, ''H. m. penelope'', male, ventral
File:Heliconius melpomene penelope MHNT dos Femelle.jpg, ''H. m. penelope'' female, dorsal
File:Heliconius melpomene penelope MHNT ventre Femelle.jpg, ''H. m. penelope'' female, ventral

References

Further reading

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External links

''Heliconius melpomene''
at the Tree of Life Web Project
*

"''Heliconius'' Kluk, 1780"
at Markku Savela's ''Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms''

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2697054

melpomene
Butterflies of Central America
Nymphalidae of South America
Butterflies of North America
Lepidoptera of Brazil
Lepidoptera of Colombia
Lepidoptera of Venezuela
Fauna of the Amazon
Butterflies described in 1758
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus