Genetic data suggest gene flow within a narrow hybrid zone between two recently separated species in the genus Parnassius (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).

Length polymorphism analysis of six microsatellite loci for 540 Clouded Apollo butterflies from Italy and Switzerland revealed a clear separation between sister species Parnassius mnemosyne and P. turatii and provided updated limits for their respective ranges. Correspondence analysis and Structure...

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Main Authors: Paolo Gratton, Valentina Todisco, Donatella Cesaroni, Valerio Sbordoni, Vazrick Nazari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321742
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author Paolo Gratton
Valentina Todisco
Donatella Cesaroni
Valerio Sbordoni
Vazrick Nazari
author_facet Paolo Gratton
Valentina Todisco
Donatella Cesaroni
Valerio Sbordoni
Vazrick Nazari
author_sort Paolo Gratton
collection DOAJ
description Length polymorphism analysis of six microsatellite loci for 540 Clouded Apollo butterflies from Italy and Switzerland revealed a clear separation between sister species Parnassius mnemosyne and P. turatii and provided updated limits for their respective ranges. Correspondence analysis and Structure clustering of a subset of 140 individuals from the Eastern Alps determined intermediate genetic makeup for three small samples collected in the mid Piave valley (northern Italy). The genotypes of the intermediate individuals are not consistent with F1 hybrids, hinting at clinal genetic variation. Our data indicate a narrow introgression zone with a shallow depth of 50-100 km in what is likely to be the only area of contact between the proposed species P. mnemosyne and P. turatii. Our findings indicate incomplete reproductive isolation between the two species, and are consistent with selection against hybrids or with a recent establishment of a secondary contact. The latter may result from slow recolonization of the Eastern Alps from glacial refugia or from very recent changes in traditional land management practices such as grazing and mowing at semi-natural grasslands.
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spelling doaj-art-9e8a00f6eaac47e48a69690ecc0c40dd2025-08-20T02:30:09ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01204e032174210.1371/journal.pone.0321742Genetic data suggest gene flow within a narrow hybrid zone between two recently separated species in the genus Parnassius (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).Paolo GrattonValentina TodiscoDonatella CesaroniValerio SbordoniVazrick NazariLength polymorphism analysis of six microsatellite loci for 540 Clouded Apollo butterflies from Italy and Switzerland revealed a clear separation between sister species Parnassius mnemosyne and P. turatii and provided updated limits for their respective ranges. Correspondence analysis and Structure clustering of a subset of 140 individuals from the Eastern Alps determined intermediate genetic makeup for three small samples collected in the mid Piave valley (northern Italy). The genotypes of the intermediate individuals are not consistent with F1 hybrids, hinting at clinal genetic variation. Our data indicate a narrow introgression zone with a shallow depth of 50-100 km in what is likely to be the only area of contact between the proposed species P. mnemosyne and P. turatii. Our findings indicate incomplete reproductive isolation between the two species, and are consistent with selection against hybrids or with a recent establishment of a secondary contact. The latter may result from slow recolonization of the Eastern Alps from glacial refugia or from very recent changes in traditional land management practices such as grazing and mowing at semi-natural grasslands.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321742
spellingShingle Paolo Gratton
Valentina Todisco
Donatella Cesaroni
Valerio Sbordoni
Vazrick Nazari
Genetic data suggest gene flow within a narrow hybrid zone between two recently separated species in the genus Parnassius (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).
PLoS ONE
title Genetic data suggest gene flow within a narrow hybrid zone between two recently separated species in the genus Parnassius (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).
title_full Genetic data suggest gene flow within a narrow hybrid zone between two recently separated species in the genus Parnassius (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).
title_fullStr Genetic data suggest gene flow within a narrow hybrid zone between two recently separated species in the genus Parnassius (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).
title_full_unstemmed Genetic data suggest gene flow within a narrow hybrid zone between two recently separated species in the genus Parnassius (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).
title_short Genetic data suggest gene flow within a narrow hybrid zone between two recently separated species in the genus Parnassius (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).
title_sort genetic data suggest gene flow within a narrow hybrid zone between two recently separated species in the genus parnassius lepidoptera papilionidae
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321742
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