By 'they' I gathered you meant the taxa martha & malayana. The typical forms of both (from Phuket & Perak respectively) are distinctive enough.Originally Posted by Painted Jezebel
I noticed most of what Yutaka labelled as malayana are closer to the type of martha from Phuket.
In fact C&P4's checklist stated ssp martha for Kedawi as well (It is north of the Kedah River.).
As Langkawi has many ssp. of Siamese origin, it suggests that when Sundaland was separated from the mainland, the peninsula extended southwards on the western side from Phuket to Langkawi, while Sundaland extended northwards on the eastern side to Samui & KPN.
When Sundaland was reconnected, these four areas became islands.
KPN is unique as the form of L. martha there looks typically of ssp. malayana.
Samui appeared to have too much infusion of ssp martha blood from the mainland, although the female is distinctive.
The situation is quite similar to that of Hypolimnas bolina where in many places two subspecies, bolina & jacintha occur in sympatry.
TL Seow
PS. Didn't realised the KPN population is also variable in colour.
The male from KPN.
http://www.neutron.phys.ethz.ch/Lepi...e/IMG_7075.JPG
The female by Antonio.
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6139/5...624b8727_z.jpg
Female from Phuket (definitive ssp. martha. )
http://www.khaophrathaew.org/Fauna/O...05_Lebadea.jpg
Female from Malaya (definitive ssp. malayana. )
http://ic2.pbase.com/o6/25/686825/1/...knightcopy.jpg
I believed most of the population of peninsular Thailand is referable to ssp. martha.
Reply With Quote