Polymorphism in Syntopic Populations of Colias crocea and C. erate (Lepidoptera, Pieridae) in the Crimea

摘要

In 1997-2000, serial samples of Colias crocea Geoffr. and C. erate Esp. (294 and 60 males, respectively; 354 specimens in total) were studied from the same habitat in the forest-steppe part of the Crimea. The studies were based on the examination of the genitalia, with outline of the valve margin considered as a diagnostic criterion for the identification of species. Parallel rows of completely homologous mutable forms were revealed in the color pattern of the wings. The electrophoretic testing in polyacrylamide gel of 12 allozyme loci in two serial samplings (2000 and 2002) showed statistically significant differences between C. crocea and C. erate only in the NdH (NadH-dehydrogenase) locus. They differ to a lesser extent in the AldH (aldehyde-dehydrogenase) locus. Paratypi-cal forms (hybrids) of both species are similar to C. erate in the isoenzyme spectra, level of heterozygosity, and frequency of rare alleles. The genetic model and adaptive importance of the polymorphism in C. crocea and C. erate remain unclear.