The evolution of alternative parasitic life histories in large blue butterflies

Thomas D. Als, Roger Vila, Nikolai P. Kandul, David R. Nash, Shen-Horn Yen, Yu-Feng Hsu, André A. Mignault, Jacobus J. Boomsma and Naomi E. Pierce ()
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Thomas D. Als: University of Aarhus
Roger Vila: Harvard University
Nikolai P. Kandul: Harvard University
David R. Nash: University of Copenhagen
Shen-Horn Yen: Imperial College at Silwood Park
Yu-Feng Hsu: National Taiwan Normal University
André A. Mignault: Harvard University
Jacobus J. Boomsma: University of Aarhus
Naomi E. Pierce: Harvard University

Nature, 2004, vol. 432, issue 7015, 386-390

Abstract: Abstract Large blue (Maculinea) butterflies are highly endangered throughout the Palaearctic region, and have been the focus of intense conservation research1,2,3. 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 histories4,5. 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 species6,7,8,9,10. 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.

Date: 2004
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DOI: 10.1038/nature03020

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