Integrative morpho-molecular analysis of Papilio polytes, Papilio polymnestor, and Euploea core from Jharkhand (India) using advanced biotechnological and bioinformatic approaches

Plants and butterflies have a coevolutionary relationship, and butterflies are essential to the ecosystem. They serve as ecosystem indicators as well since research on their populations and behaviour can reveal how healthy an environment is. They are efficient pollinators, and particular species have been known to migrate great distances to spread pollen, which causes genetic variety in plant species and increases their chances of surviving. Aim. This work aimed to study the morpho-molecular features of Papilio polytes, Papilio polymnestor, and Euploea core from the Jharkhand state of India. Methods. The study spans different areas from five districts, viz. Chatra, Koderma, Giridih, Godda, Ramgarh of the state. The specimens were collected, examined, and physical specimens of each species were submitted to the Insect Collection, Record and Identification, of the Department of Zoology, St. Xavier's College, Ranchi, and Voucher numbers were obtained. Modern biotechnological and bioinformatic tools were used in this work, five specimens of each species were sequenced for the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), on the basis of which the BLAST (Basic Local Alignment and Search Tool) search was performed for identification of the species on the basis of matching scores with sequences present in the nucleotide sequence databases. Results. The latest biotechnologies were used. After identification, the sequences were submitted to GenBank, and accession IDs were obtained. The sequences were used to prepare a phylogenetic tree to ascertain the relationships among the collected specimens. Conclusions. There is a paucity of knowledge related to the morphology and taxonomy of butterflies of the state; thus, this study is the first attempt of its kind. The study revealed significant intraspecific variation among specimens of Euploea core. The least variation was exhibited among specimens of Papilio polymnestor. The study contributes to the knowledge related to butterfly species of Papilio polytes, Papilio polymnestor, and Euploea core. It will be helpful in further studies related to the conservation and monitoring of the species.