蝶の翅の色素,とくに系統・分類との関係について

概要

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Wing-pigments of butterflies are reviewed especially from the standpoint of distribution. The pigments include pteridine pigments, ommochromes, papiliochromes, tetrapyrrolic pigments, flavonoids, and others. Chemistry and biochemistry of these pigments are briefly described, and their distributions are described in detail, especially in the Pieridae, Papilionidae, Nymphalidae, and Satyridae. Interestingly, some pigments are characteristic of some taxonomic groups such as family, subsfamily, and genus, as seen in pteridine pigments in the Pieridae, papiliochromes in the Papilionidae, tetrapyrrolic pigments in Graphium, and ommochromes in the Nymphalidae. These characteristic distributions may be helpful in considering the ordination and grouping of species in some taxonomic groups. Besides, wide distribution of melanin and the absence of carotenoids in wing-scales are also mentioned.
1988-09-30