Posted on 06/14/2006 12:46:29 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists said on Wednesday they have created a distinctive red and yellow butterfly in the laboratory by interbreeding two different species in a way similar to what they believe has occurred in nature.
The laboratory hybrid is nearly identical to a wild species of butterfly in Colombia known as Heliconius heurippa.
"We recreated the evolutionary steps that may have given rise to Heliconius heurippa, a hybrid butterfly species, in the lab," said Jesus Mavarez, of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama City, Panama.
Animal hybrids are thought to be very rare because they are less able to survive. The mule for example, a hybrid between a donkey and a horse, is sterile so it is an evolutionary dead end. But some hybrids survive and establish new species.
The achievement by Mavarez and researchers in Colombia and Britain, which is reported in the journal Nature, suggests animal hybrids could be more common than previously thought.
The scientists began their experiments after noticing that Heliconius heurippa's distinct wing pattern was similar to two other species of butterfly.
After interbreeding the two types, they found the laboratory hybrid was very similar to the wild species.
The scientists said the color pattern on the wing of Heliconius heurippa, which is a mating cue, makes it unattractive to members of their parents' species but attractive to each other.
A hybrid butterfly created by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama City, Panama is seen in an undated handout photo. Scientists said on Wednesday they have created a distinctive red and yellow butterfly in the laboratory by interbreeding two different species in a way similar to what they believe has occurred in nature. (Mauricio Linares/Handout/Reuters)
Interesting.
Likke like a profile of a redheaded man or woman, with mouth agape.
Interesting
Let's see if they can create more of these butterflies, male and female, and get this new species rolling.
Should I ping this thing?
This is verification of intelligent design, or should I say intelligent interference, but it's still a butterfly. Then again, what good is a half species?
It's interesting but not earth shattering, I wouldn't bother pinging the gang.
Hell, why not? What can happen to butterflies?
and a plug for a similar thread :
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/1343600/posts
Hybrid formation is often overlooked in animals, but is a major force in plant evolution. Perhaps hybrid formation could be important in more "primitive" animal species evolution.
But how many mpg's does it get?
...the perverts.
Two species become one in the lab ^
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1649663/posts
Posted by Jedi Master Pikachu
On News/Activism ^ 06/14/2006 11:11:21 PM PDT · 6 replies · 75+ views
BBC ^ | June 14, 2006
Thanks sir.
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