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Morpho Fabricius 1807

Andrew V. Z. Brower taxon links [down<--]Morphini Phylogenetic position of group is uncertain Phylogenetic position of group is uncertain Phylogenetic position of group is uncertain Phylogenetic position of group is uncertain Not Monophyletic Phylogenetic position of group is uncertain Phylogenetic position of group is uncertain Phylogenetic position of group is uncertain Phylogenetic position of group is uncertain Interpreting the tree
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Containing group: Morphini

Introduction

The "blue morpho butterflies" represent one of the best known and most spectacular genera of Nymphalidae. They are mostly large - some with wingspans up to 20 cm, and many species have irridescent scales that reflect a metallic blue color. The blue color is due to refraction of light by fine striations on the surfaces of the wing scales - there is no blue pigment. The undersides of most species are brown with a variety of eye spots and smaller ocelli - features that reveal their affinity with other satyrines.

The classic living Morpho experience is to observe males patrolling along forest trails and stream beds appearing as a series of metallic blue flashes as the sun catches their wings. Collectors often equip themselves with a card covered with blue aluminum foil to attract the attention of males, who may swoop in to defend their territory against the incursion of a perceived interloper.

While the most familiar species are large and blue, there is quite a range of diversity in the genus (which has led to the description of numerous subgenera). Some Morpho species (M. epistrophus, M. polyphemus) are white, others are dark brownish gray or tawny orange (M. hecuba, M. telemachus). Some Andean species are smaller and quite delicate (M. lympharis).

Unlike most other satyrine taxa, some Morpho larvae feed on dicots. Penz and DeVries (2002) note that this larval host switch appears to have occurred once within the genus, the more basal species retaining the ancestral monocot diet.

Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships

The phylogenetic hypothesis is based upon Penz & DeVries (2002) morphological cladogram, with updates of nomenclature from Lamas (2004). Non-monotypic subgenera that appear as monophyletic taxa in the cladogram are labelled. However, as Penz and Devries noted, the polyphyly of many other subgenera suggests that until the systmatics of the genus is better understood that perhaps these names should be avoided.

Nomenclature

The genus Morpho has been subject of an enormous quantity of taxonomic revisionary work at the generic/subgeneric and specific/subspecific levels. The nomenclature employed here is based on the recent checklist of Lamas (2004), which adopts a relatively conservative view, including all the species within a single genus, and synonymizing many variations/geographical races under a relatively limited number of species. There are considerable differences in the nomenclature employed by Lamas vs. Penz & DeVries. Andy Brower is responsible for any errors of cross-referencing of the names.

References

Lamas G ed. 2004. Atlas of Neoptropical Lepidoptera. Checklist: Part 4A Hesperioidea - Papiionoidea. Gainesville: Scientific Publishers/Association of Tropical Lepidoptera.

Penz CM, and DeVries PJ. 2002. Phylogenetic analysis of Morpho butterfles (Nymphalidae, Morphinae): implications for classification and natural history. Amer. Mus. Novitates 3374: 1-33.

About This Page


Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA

Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Andrew V. Z. Brower at

Citing this page:

Brower, Andrew V. Z. 2006. Morpho Fabricius 1807. Version 29 October 2006 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Morpho/70770/2006.10.29 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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