On the phenomena of variation and geographical distribution as illustrated by the Papilionidæ of the Malayan regionWallace, Alfred Russel
Science
On the phenomena of variation and geographical distribution as illustrated by the Papilionidæ of the Malayan region
Wallace, Alfred Russel
Papilionidae -- Malaysia -- Geographical distribution; Papilionidae -- Malaysia -- Variation
Upper surface:—fore wings as in _P. Onesimus_, Hew.; hind wings
yellowish-white, a broad black border along the anterior, and a narrow
one along the posterior margin, two yellowish lunules near the outer
angle, anal angle pale yellow, then an oblong black spot with a bluish
mark in its upper part, followed by a second (half-obliterated) black
spot.
Under surface with the same markings; but there are a series of six blue
angulated marks upon a black ground, the two intermediate ones being
smaller and less distinct. Abdomen yellow; under side black.
_Hab._ Dorey (New Guinea) (_Wall._)
_Remarks._—This specimen was taken in company with two males, as before
mentioned. An insect, described by M. Montrouzier as the female of his
_P. Godartii_ (from Woodlark Island), agrees very closely with this, and
is no doubt the female of the same species, or a closely allied one
which he puts in his list as _P. Ormenus_. The fact, therefore, that
this peculiar pale form of female _Papilio_ has been found in five
islands, from no one of which is a male insect known which can be mated
with it, except those of the _Ormenus_-form (which always occur in the
same places), may, in conjunction with the observation already given of
the companionship of the two forms, be taken to prove that this is
really a case of polymorphism. I believe also it will be found that
these extreme departures from the typical form of a species are
connected with mimetic resemblances and the safety of the individuals.
We have already seen that the extreme forms of _P. Memnon_ ♀ and _P.
Pammon_ ♀ respectively resemble other species which from their habits
and abundance seem to have some peculiar immunity from danger. In this
case also there is a resemblance to quite a different family of
butterflies, the Morphidæ. In form, coloration, and general appearance
these pale-coloured Papilios resemble species of the genus _Drusilla_;
and the same genus is also imitated by other butterflies—one of these,
_Melanitis Agondas_ ♀, having been actually confounded with _Drusilla
bioculata_ as the same species, so great is the resemblance. This fact
of species of several genera imitating the Drusillas would indicate that
they have some special immunities which make it advantageous to other
insects to be mistaken for them; and their habits confirm this opinion.
They have all a very similar style of dress, and fly very slowly, low
down in damp woods, often settling on the ground or on rotten wood; and
they are exceedingly abundant in individuals. Now these are the general
characteristics of all groups which are the subjects of imitation; and
we may therefore presume, when we see forms departing widely from the
general appearance of their close relations, and resembling closely
other groups with which they have no affinity, that what we must call
_accidental_ variations have been accumulated and rendered definite by
natural selection for the protection and benefit of those forms.
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