Potential Müllerian Mimicry between Adalia bipunctata (Linnaeus) and Oenopia conglobata (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Iran

Nedvěd O., Biranvand A., Shakarami J., ŞENAL D.

Coleopterists Bulletin, vol.74, no.1, pp.161-167, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 74 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1649/0010-065x-74.1.161
  • Journal Name: Coleopterists Bulletin
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Geobase, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.161-167
  • Keywords: aposematism, carotenoid, heterozygote, incomplete dominance, lady beetle, melanin, selection
  • Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

© 2020 Coleopterists Society.All right reserved.We report on two lady beetle species, Oenopia conglobata (Linnaeus) and Adalia bipunctata (Linnaeus), sympatric in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran, closely resembling each other in coloration. This may be an interesting example of Müllerian mimicry. The putative model, O. conglobata, retains its typical pink elytral background with 16 black spots, whereas the locally most common form (forma fasciatopunctata) of the polymorphic mimic, A. bipunctata, exhibits a similar pink background that is otherwise absent in the species. This pink coloration is achieved by a small amount of red pigments deposited over the white color of the lower layer of the elytra.