Mitochondrial DNA variation and haldane's rule in the papilio glaucus and p. Troilus species groups

Abstract

Variation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was surveyed, using restriction endonucleases, in all species of the Papilio glaucus and P. troilus groups (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). Phylogenetic and distance relationships of mtDNA generally confirmed traditional species limits in the two species groups and compared favourably with a prior survey of their allozymes. The most notable exceptions were P. rutulus and P. eurymedon, which share their mtDNA, yet maintain numerous morphological and ecological distinctions in sympatry. In organisms with heterogametic females, like the Lepidoptera, the deficiencies of hybrid females that are expected on the basis of Haldane’s rule should lead to congruence of mtDNA variants with species boundaries. In the P. glaucus group, the extent of mtDNA differences between species pairs generally coincided with the extent of the Haldane effect, as well as with the presence of major species differences on sex chromosomes (X effect). © 1993 The Genetical Society of Great Britain.