The recent butterfly study in the Western Ghats of Karnataka has yielded fascinating insights into their evolutionary traits and adaptation processes. This research has not only improved our understanding of various butterfly species’ imitative characteristics but also highlighted the remarkable ecosystem of the Western Ghats.
Key Findings of the Butterfly Study
The study’s findings can be categorized into three groups. The first category involves Model Species, species that are toxic to predators. The second group includes Batesian Mimicry Species, which have evolved to exhibit traits of unpalatable (or poisonous) species to ward off predators. The final group includes Non-mimetic Species – species related closely to Batesian mimics but have not developed mimicry traits.
In this ecological relationship, the unpalatable butterflies are referred to as models, while the palatable ones are called mimics. The research found butterflies that employ mimicry evolve faster than those that don’t, with Batesian mimics adapting to evade predators by developing similar wing color patterns and flight behaviors.
Through analysis, it was discovered that not only had color patterns evolved rapidly, but members of mimetic communities had also evolved faster than their close relatives. The diverse range of butterfly colors and patterns suggest a highly adaptable genetic architecture underlying wing patterns and color pigments.
The Significance of the Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, a chain of mountains running parallel to India’s Western Coast through Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, holds significant importance. These mountains influence the Indian monsoon weather patterns, mediating the warm tropical climate of the region by acting as a barrier to rain-laden monsoon winds sweeping in from the southwest.
The Western Ghats are home to tropical evergreen forests and house 325 globally threatened species. This rich biodiversity makes it an ideal location for studies like this butterfly research.
Previous UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
A previous question from the 2016 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination asked which state was the first in India to designate a particular butterfly as the State Butterfly. The answer is Maharashtra, where they declared the Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor) as the State Butterfly. This butterfly species, known for its velvet black wings with bright blue spots, is the second largest in India and is found only in Sri Lanka, the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, South India, and coastal belts of the country.
Another question, also from 2016, asked where in India the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ is most likely to be encountered in its natural habitat. The correct answer was the Western Ghats. India hosts nine Hornbill species, four of which are found in the Western Ghats.
This study further emphasizes the unique biodiversity of the Western Ghats and increases understanding of the evolutionary trends observed among the butterfly population. Its results contribute considerably to both scientific knowledge and conservation efforts.
