Ringlets/Meadow browns

[David M]

These two species look quite alike in flight and often share the same habitat. Today, I witnessed many examples of the two species interacting with one another. Meadow Browns were swooping on Ringlets and Ringlets were checking out Meadow Browns.

I'm not a scientist, so the obvious question is why can't these two interbreed? A 'Meadow Ringlet' would be quite an attractive specimen. They are clearly very closely related and take time out to investigate one another frequently, so is their inability to mate with one another down to the same reasons that Wood/Reals Wood Whites can't do so?

[Padfield]

They've been known to couple, physically, but I'm not aware of any successful outcome (if such a hybrid would count as a success). This shouldn't be a surprise, as the meadow browns (there are several species in Europe, in two genera, Maniola and Hyponephele) form quite a distinct group from the ringlet (I don't know if there are any other species worldwide in the genus Aphantopus but there are none in Europe). Hybridisation is pretty much unheard of in species of different genera, as the whole reason for classifying them into different genera is that their most recent common ancestor is a long time ago. Since then they have changed physically and genetically to the extent that a hybrid would not work.

Guy

[David M]

I understand what you're saying, but we've bred canaries with goldfinches (albeit with the resulting offspring being a 'mule'). I accept that a Chequered Skipper couldn't pair with a Silver Washed Fritillary, but can't see why two closely related species can't do so.

After all, Lions and Tigers separated millennia ago but they can still crossbreed.