Summary
Studies of several populations of the English race britannica of Anthocharis cardamines show quite clearly that it has a chromosome number of n = 30 differing from all other continental and Middle East races of the butterfly so far studied which are all n = 31. A fusion of two chromosomes would appear to be the most likely explanation. Phenotypic differences between races are very slight. Evolutionary rates giving rise to both genotypic and/or phenotypic variations can be more rapid than had hitherto been thought likely, especially where populations become isolated. It would seem therefore that the lower chromosome number was evolved after the separation of the continent and southern England around 7000 years ago.
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Bigger, T. A variation in the chromosome number of the English race of Anthocharis cardamines L. (Lepidoptera: v Pieridae). Heredity 41, 63–69 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1978.64
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1978.64
