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Evolutionary biology

Butterfly mimics of ants

Nature volume 432, pages 283–284 (2004)Cite this article

Large blue butterflies are notable for their rarity and ability to dupe ants, and they are endangered. A genetic reconstruction of how social parasitism evolved among them will overturn conservation priorities.

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Figure 1: A cuckoo butterfly.

J.A. THOMAS

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology's Dorset Laboratory, Winfrith Technology Centre, Dorchester, DT2 8ZD, UK

    Jeremy A. Thomas

  2. Department of Community Ecology, UFZ Leipzig-Halle, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, Halle/Saale, 06120, Germany

    Josef Settele

Authors
  1. Jeremy A. Thomas
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  2. Josef Settele
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Thomas, J., Settele, J. Butterfly mimics of ants. Nature 432, 283–284 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/432283a

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