Cluster biodiversity as a multidimensional structure evolution strategy: checkerspot butterflies of the group Euphydryas aurinia (Rottemburg, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Abstract

In the present paper, we explore the evolution of cluster structure in closely related species in the Euphydryas aurinia complex based on morphological (wing pattern, genital armatures) and molecular (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) characters. Male genitalia differ in the length and shape of the uncus, harpe and juxta branches, by the shape of some parts of the phallus, and by the amount of spikes on the ventral section of the valva. The main trends in the vertical distribution of the E. aurinia group are dwarfism with increasing altitude, coupled with enlargement of paler and darker-coloured elements of the wing pattern, increasing the overall contrast. Unlike the Euphydryas maturna, the E. aurinia complex forms many local populations specialized under different ecological conditions, probably affected by different evolutionary scenarios. The phylogenetic analysis of the group reveals two ecologically distinct subgroups: one associated with the boreal forest-mesophyllic meadow biome and one associated with the xeromesophyllic steppe biome. Within each group, two major ecological strategies have evolved in parallel: montane and lowland. Based on the results of the analyses, we revise the nomenclature as follows: E. aurinia pyrenesdebilis (Verity, 1928), stat. rev. (= debilis Oberthür, 1909, syn.n., nomen nudum), E. aurinia bulgarica (Fruhstorfer, 1916), stat. rev., E. aurinia provincialis (Boisduval, 1828), stat. rev. and E. beckeri (Lederer, 1853), stat. rev. The following name-bearing types are designated: neotype of Papilio aurinia Rottemburg, 1775, neotype of Papilio merope de Prunner, 1798, lectotype of Melitaea beckeri Lederer, 1853, and lectotype of Melitaea aurinia banghaasi Seitz, 1908. All name-bearing types are figured. A new subspecies, Euphydryas laeta ostracon Korb, Bolshakov, Fric, ssp.n., is described (type locality by holotype data: Kazakhstan, Vostochno-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast, Shemonaikha).

Framework of multidimensional macrobenthos biodiversity to evaluate ecological restoration in wetlands

“…In our study, focusing on the effect of ecological restoration on multidimensional biodiversity provided valuable insights compared with focusing on individual dimensions of biodiversity, which produced inconsistent results. Recent papers have stated that biodiversity should be recognized as being multidimensional, and highlighted the different outcomes for analyses based on two or more indices compared with a singledimension approach (Korb et al 2016, Naeem et al 2016. The inconsistent results for our individual dimensions mainly resulted from the fact that different dimensions respond differently to environmental gradients or pressures (Wilsey et al 2005, Gallardo et al 2011, Nakamura et al 2017.…”

Surprising diversity in the Pannonian populations of Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia, Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae): Morphometric and molecular aspects

“…Regardless of their taxonomic position, they often display a moderate level of genetic diversity within the populations coupled with a considerable differentiation among them with more or less clear geographic patterns, for example, Phengaris spp. (Hollós et al., ; Pecsenye et al., ; Sielezniew et al., ), Erebia medusa (Schmitt & Seitz, ), and also Euphydryas aurinia (Junker et al., ; Korb, Bolshakov, Fric, & Bartonova, ).…”

“…Euphydryas aurinia has already been characterized as a highly polymorphic and taxonomically polytypic species (Bolshakov & Korb, ; Higgins, ). As opposed to the high level of morphological variation a moderate level of mtDNA diversity and a relatively shallow differentiation was observed among its geographically differentiated clades (Junker et al., ; Korb et al., ). Junker et al.…”

“…Diversifying selection, however, can only be considered if there are differences in environmental factors between the habitats in questions. E. aurinia forms many local populations specialized to different ecological conditions therefore they might be affected by different evolutionary forces (Korb et al., ). One of the most important environmental factor differing between the two regions is climate: it tends to be cooler and more humid in the SLOR (Őrség and Slovenia) than in the CTDR (central part of Transdanubia) region.…”

On the status and position of Tian-Shanian populations of Paralasa cf. kusnezovi (Avinoff, 1910) (Lepidoptera: Satyridae)

“…Most likely all these taxa we treat now as the separate species (P. kusnezovi, P. bogutena, P. kolesnichenkoi) are young species which differ mainly in DNA (we checked the COI sequence) and biotope preferences (see below). The last differenciation should be described in details as in our opinion it is very important and can be presented as a good example of the cluster biodiversity of the multidimensional strategy [Korb et al, 2016].…”