Convergent morphology and divergent phenology promote the coexistence of Morpho butterfly species

Abstract

The coexistence of closely-related species in sympatry is puzzling because ecological niche proximity imposes strong competition and reproductive interference. A striking example is the widespread wing pattern convergence of several blue-banded Morpho butterfly species with overlapping ranges of distribution. Here we perform a series of field experiments using flying Morpho dummies placed in a natural habitat. We show that similarity in wing colour pattern indeed leads to interspecific territoriality and courtship among sympatric species. In spite of such behavioural interference, demographic inference from genomic data shows that sympatric closely-related Morpho species are genetically isolated. Mark-recapture experiments in the two most closely-related species unravel a strong temporal segregation in patrolling activity of males. Such divergence in phenology reduces the costs of reproductive interference while simultaneously preserving the benefits of convergence in non-reproductive traits in response to common ecological pressures. Henceforth, the evolution of multiple traits may favour species diversification in sympatry by partitioning niche in different dimensions.

Genome assembly of three AmazonianMorphobutterfly species reveals Z-chromosome rearrangements between closely-related species living in sympatry

“…Given the key role of colour pattern in both sexual selection and species recognition in diurnal butterflies, such a resemblance is thought to enhance reproductive interference between sympatric species [14]. Behavioural experiments carried out in the wild revealed that males from the three mimetic Morpho species are indeed attracted by both intra and interspecific wing patterns [15]. Despite this heterospecific attraction of males at long distances, RAD-sequencing markers revealed a highly limited gene flow between these three sympatric species [15].…”

“…Behavioural experiments carried out in the wild revealed that males from the three mimetic Morpho species are indeed attracted by both intra and interspecific wing patterns [15]. Despite this heterospecific attraction of males at long distances, RAD-sequencing markers revealed a highly limited gene flow between these three sympatric species [15]. This might be due to the differences in the timing of daily activities observed between these sympatric species limiting heterospecific encountering [15].…”

“…Despite this heterospecific attraction of males at long distances, RAD-sequencing markers revealed a highly limited gene flow between these three sympatric species [15]. This might be due to the differences in the timing of daily activities observed between these sympatric species limiting heterospecific encountering [15]. This divergence in daily phenology may contribute to the initiation of speciation or to the reinforcement of pre-zygotic barriers to heterospecific matings.…”

Nitrogen transfer between plant species with different temporal N‐demand

“…Niche segregation can also have a temporal component. In a multitude of organisms ranging from insects, plants or birds, the phenological segregation between species has been proposed to promote coexistence when using resources at different times reduces competition (De Avila & Pinheiro, 2022;Le Roy et al, 2021;Sanz-Aguilar et al, 2015). However, in plant communities, a temporal differentiation among species in their use of resources, besides avoiding competition, can also result in contrasted concentrations of nutrients among species at a given time (i.e.…”

Butterfly foraging is remarkably synchronous in an experimental tropical macrocosm

“…Last, some butterflies evolved endogenous timing mechanisms, e.g. asynchrony in patrolling to facilitate coexistence [18], but the role of such mechanisms in determining foraging patterns is largely unknown [9].…”