Elymnias hypermnestra isolate:2sam Genome sequencing

Sexual dimorphism is a striking evolutionary phenomenon where males and females have evolved and develop different phenotypes. While sexual dimorphism is widespread in animals, the evolutionary forces causing its evolution are frequently difficult to tease apart. A particularly unique form of sexual dimorphism is found in the widespread Southeast Asian butterfly Elymnias hypermnestra. Male E. hypermnestra develop a dark brown color pattern that mimics co-occurring toxic Euploea species, while females may develop either a male-like dark form or an orange and black color pattern that mimics toxic Danaus species. Different E. hypermnestra populations comprise females of only one color pattern, resulting in a patchwork of sexually dimorphic and monomorphic populations across the region. The goal of this study was to generate a high-quality reference genome for E. hypermnestra to facilitate analyses of the genetic basis and evolution of the female color pattern polymorphism.