Phenotypic diversity, population genetics and interspecific relationships of the Neotropical banded peacock butterfly Anartia fatima (Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae)

Abstract The banded peacock butterfly, Anartia fatima (Fabricius), is common in Mexico and Central America and has emerged as a model organism for studies on the genetics of insect speciation. Currently there are two recognized subspecies, Anartia fatima fatima (Fabricius) found throughout Central America, eastern Mexico and southern USA, and Anartia fatima colima Lamas from western Mexico. Here we analyse wing maculation of A. fatima throughout its range and confirm diagnostic geographic differences in morphology that support recognition of the two subspecies. Genetic analyses of mitochondrial COI barcodes obtained from the nominate subspecies provide evidence of a significant population expansion beginning in the Pleistocene. The haplotype network of A. fatima (combined subspecies) reveals a single main COI haplotype and 11 minor haplotypes (haplotype diversity = 0.520). We found that the absence of a black spot in hindwing cell M1 of the congeneric Anartia chrysopelea Hübner and Anartia lytrea (Godart), and its presence in Anartia fatima, Anartia amathea (Linnaeus) and A. jatrophae (Linnaeus), represents a phenotype character that correlates with previously published and unexpected phylogenetic results and provides insight into the evolution of the genus Anartia.