Contrasting patterns of karyotype and sex chromosome evolution in Lepidoptera

It is known that chromosomal rearrangements play an important role in speciation by limiting gene flow within and between species. Furthermore, this effect may be enhanced by involvement of sex chromosomes that are known to undergo fast evolution compared to autosomes and play a special role in speciation due to their engagement in postzygotic reproductive isolation. The work presented in this study uses various molecular-genetic and cytogenetic techniques to describe karyotype and sex chromosome evolution of two groups of Lepidoptera, namely selected representatives of the family Tortricidae and Leptidea wood white butterflies of the family Pieridae. The acquired knowledge points to unexpected evolutionary dynamics of lepidopteran karyotypes including the presence of derived neo-sex chromosome systems that originated as a result of chromosomal rearrangements. We discuss the significance of these findings for radiation and subsequent speciation of both lepidopteran groups