The white vs. yellow color difference that mediates premating reproductive isolation between sister species H. cydno and H. pachinus in Costa Rica also segregates in a polymorphic population of H. cydno alithea in western Ecuador. Using a combination of genetic mapping and mate choice experiments we are comparing the genetic basis of mimicry between the systems in Costa Rica and Ecuador and determining whether color-based mate preference also segregates with color in a polymorphic setting.
Marcus Kronforst, PhD
Department of Ecology & Evolution
University of Chicago
1101 E. 57th St.
Chicago, IL 60637
mkronforst@uchicago.edu