Enzyme Electrophoretic Studies on the Generic Relationships of Pierid Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) I. European Taxa

Abstract

The phylogenetic relationships of 24 taxa representing the four European subfamilies of the Pieridae were studied using enzyme electrophoretic techniques. The mobilities of 20 enzymes, each determined by a different locus, were compared. A dendogram is presented indicating the grouping of the taxa on the basis of biochemical data. Results agree well with those obtained from conventional systematic studies. In cases where the relationships between taxa are under discussion, one of the alternatives is supported. The Pierinae and Anthocharinae are biochemically clearly characterisable entities although the branching point of these two subfamilies in the dendogram lies only slightly below those of different genera. These two subfamilies are separated from the Coliadinae by a clear step of genetic divergence. Within the recently subdivided genus Pieris Shrank s. Itr. of the Pierinae, three groups of taxa that branch at the same level of similarity in the dendogram can be recognized. The taxa of the new genus Artogeia Vrty. are no more closely related to each other than they are to the taxa of Pieris s. str. Biochemical data support the species rank of the taxa cheiranthi Hbn., simplonia F. and crameri Btlr., but indicate a remarkably low level of genetic differentiation between the taxa napi L. and hryoniae Hbn.