Esterase Polymorphism in the Butterfly Hemiargus isola Stability in a Variable Environment

AUTOR(ES)
RESUMO

A dimeric esterase of a lycaenid butterfly shows rich, electrophoretically-detectable variation in natural populations in Texas. This isozyme variation is controlled by multiple alleles at an autosomal locus (Es-d). In each population sampled there are 9-14 alleles, two of which (Es-d100 and Es-d80) predominate and form about 84% of the gene pool. Against the background of numerous rarer alleles, their frequencies are notably stable (about 65% and 19%, respectively) in ecologically variable space and time. Although adults (especially females) are capable of genetically effective dispersal, environmental heterogeneity within each locality is thought to be the prime factor maintaining the polymorphism.

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