Quote Originally Posted by Painted Jezebel View Post
I suppose we have to wait for DNA analysis to be completed. However, do we know for sure that DNA is the be all and end all for species identification?
DNA analysis is certainly a big help.
A certain percentage difference in DNA/genetic material is set for diferentiation of species in mammal.
This have results in 2 species of Orang-utans, 2 of Gorillas, 3 of giraffes, 2 of Clouded Leopards, etc.
They can be differentiated superficially but are fully inter-fertile.

In the case of lesser animals like butterflies, different limits will need to be set, and I suspect the infertility barrier will be even more porous between sibling species.

A good species for DNA analysis is Papilio clytia.
In Malaya all forms occur until the halfway mark & roughly from Selangor southwards to Singapore only form dissimilis is known.
This suggest that f-dissimilis is acting on its own ie. as a good separate species.
I don't whether anyone has done any breeding experiments to show all the forms can arise from a batch of eggs.

TL Seow