Question

Species: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

The species evolutionary relationship to other species (which other species are the closest relatives and which larger groups such as family and order does the species belong to). Show a phylogeny!!

As much as detail will be appreciated.

Answer 1

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is a species of swallowtail butterfly which is one of the most common and beautiful butterflies. These are amazing butterflies with vibrant colours and outspread wings. These solitary creatures fligh high in treetops and commonly seen from spring to fall. These are native to North America. Its scientific name is Papilio glaucus. It belongs to order Lepidoptera, family Papilionidae with a genus Papilio.

EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIP OF EASTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL TO OTHER SPECIES:

There are several closely related species of butterflies to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) butterfly. They are:

1. Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis) - Found in most provinces and territories in Canada. It was once classified as a subspecies of Papilio glaucus, later elevated to species level. It also belong to order Lepidoptera and familiy Papilionidae. It is smaller in size than P. glaucus

2. Appalanchian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio appalachiensis) - Found in Eastern United states particularly in the Applanchian montainsIt is a hybrid of two other species, Papilio glaucus and Papilio canadensis. It shares many of its characteristics with these two species. It also belongs to order Lepidoptera and family Papilionidae. This species is also seperated fro P. glaucus by size as it is larger in size than P. glaucus.

There are smilar species for the dark P. glacus female , it includes the follows.

3. Pipevine Swallowtail (Batus philenor) - It is also known as Blue Swallowtail found in North America and Central America. This is a black butterfly with iridescent blue hindwings. It differs from dark morph P. glaucus by the row of light colored spots on each wing margin. It also belongs to order Lepidoptera and family Papilionidae but to a tribe Troidini, genus Battus and species philenor.

4. Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) - It is also known as green-clouded butterfly which is a common black swallowtail butterfly found in North America. It differs from dark morph P. glaucus by more greenish color and has two rows of orange spots on the ventral hindwing. It also belong to the order Lepidoptera, family Papilionidae, genus Papilio, species troilus but it has two subspecies i.e, Papilio troilus troilus and Papilio troilus ilioneus.

5. Female Black Swallow tail ( Papilio polyxenes) - It is also known as (Eastern) black swallowtail or American Swallowtail or parsnip Swallowtail. This butterfly is found in much of North America. It differs from dark morph P. galcus by saller in size and two rows of orange spots on ventral hindwing. It also belong to order Lepidoptera, family Papilionadae, genus Papilio and species polyxenes. There are any subspecies of this butterfly.