Habitat use and population biology of the Danube Clouded Yellow butterfly Colias myrmidone (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in Romania

Szentirmai, István; Mesterházy, Attila; Varga, Ildikó; Schubert, Zoltán; Sándor, Lehel Csaba; Ábrahám, Levente; Kőrösi, Ádám

doi:10.1007/s10841-014-9651-7

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The overall population size of imagos in the second brood was estimated at about 750 individuals, which is very similar to figures obtained for the best studied Romanian site, where, however, a much larger area was occupied (Szentirmai et al 2014). The overall average residency estimated for individuals in our metapopulation (5.6 days) was higher than in the case of Romania (3.5) and as a consequence the temporal fragmentation was somewhat lower (6.5 and 7.5 respectively).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…In the past some populations were present also in the south of the country in the highlands (Sielezniew 2012 and unpublished). Those sites could be similar to Romanian sites where the butterfly is restricted to highlands and submountainous areas (altitude 400-950 m) (Szentirmai et al 2014).…”

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Moreover C. myrmidone is listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive and therefore is a priority species in the conservation management of Natura 2000 sites. Deterioration and habitat losses, as well as climate change, are considered as the main causes of the dramatic decline (Konvička et al 2008;Marhoul and Dolek 2012;Szentirmai et al 2014). It is predicted that more than 95% of the currently suitable climate niches may no longer be suitable in 2080 (Settele et al 2008).…”

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has suffered a dramatic decline on a continental scale and now its occurrence is restricted to just a few countries. Previous studies on C. myrmidone concerned disappearing (and now extinct) populations in Germany (Dolek et al 2005;Freese et al 2005), as well as Romanian sites still considered as strongholds of the species in Central Europe (Szentirmai et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dispersal in a metapopulation of the critically endangered Danube Clouded Yellow butterfly Colias myrmidone: implications for conservation

et al. 2019

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Colias myrmidone has suffered a dramatic decline in Europe, and now its occurrence is restricted to just a few countries. We investigated one of the last viable metapopulations (Knyszyn Forest, NE Poland), where the butterfly is almost completely dependent on forestry, inhabiting some clearings and young tree plantations rich in larval food plants (Chamaecytisus ruthenicus) and nectar resources. Intensive mark-recapture studies were performed in 2017 on eight occupied patches separated by 0.5-5 km. The overall population size of imagoes in the second brood was calculated at about 750 individuals. Sex ratio was shown to be well-balanced and average residency was estimated at 5.6 days. Dispersal occurred mostly between neighbouring patches, and isolation of patches contributed to the high mortality of emigrants. The average distance covered during dispersal was significantly higher for males. However, females left small patches much more readily than males. These patches were probably used only as 'stepping stone' sites in dispersal. Restricted dispersal could be related to barriers created by forest stands but it is also not excluded that individuals living in an isolated metapopulation become increasingly sedentary and our results are an early warning sign. The most distant local population was clearly isolated, with hardly any immigration from the other populations. To maintain a network of more stable habitat patches some clearings should be left deforested and appropriately managed. However this goal is difficult to achieve under the current forestry rules and therefore (re)creation of habitats on other available open areas should be considered.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dispersal in a metapopulation of the critically endangered Danube Clouded Yellow butterfly Colias myrmidone: implications for conservation

et al. 2019

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“…Males and females of the same species sometimes differ in terms of their longevity (e.g. Zimmermann et al ., , ; Örvössy et al ., ; Szentirmai et al ., ). Among other factors affecting this trait are genetic variation (Saastamoinen, Ikonen & Hanski, ), adult diet (Molleman et al ., ; Erhardt & Mevi‐Schutz, ), and resources acquired at the larval stage (Boggs & Freeman, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat‐related differences in the adult longevity of two ecotypes of a specialized butterfly

et al. 2018

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The life expectancy of adult butterflies is highly diverse. Substantial variation may be found among closely related species, and even on the intraspecific level, where it could be associated with sex, genetic differentiation, diet and weather conditions. We compared the demographic parameters of populations of the regionally endangered Boloria eunomia butterfly living in two different habitats. Across its boreal‐mountane distribution range in Europe, B. eunomia occurs in two ecotypes associated with wet meadows and raised bogs using distinct both larval and nectar plants. We carried out simultaneous studies of both ecotypes through mark–recapture surveys of two large populations in NE Poland, located close to each other. A total number of 1124 and 644 individuals were marked at the bog and meadow sites respectively, and 51 and 33% of them were recaptured at least once. The estimated adult population size of the bog population (about 3000) was twice as large as that of the meadow population, which however was characterized by more than three‐fold higher density. The emergence of imagoes was highly synchronized, and protandry was evident. The sex ratio was slightly male‐biased and the mean capture probability was significantly higher for males. More importantly, the estimated life span of males was considerably shorter than that of females at each site. Finally, both sexes of the ‘meadow’ ecotype lived significantly longer than those from the raised bog. The detected pattern can be related to distinct larval food plants and/or nectar resources, different pressures from predators, genetic variation and morphological differences affecting thermal properties. Further investigations would be useful to reveal if the shorter adult life span translates into reduced viability of bog populations and consequently whether they are potentially more threatened, at least in the southern margins of the distribution range in Central Europe.

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A highly endangered species on the edge: distribution, habitat use and outlook for Colias myrmidone in newly established Natura 2000 areas in Romania

Loos

Vizauer

Kastal

et al. 2018

Environ Dev Sustain

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Habitat use and population biology of the Danube Clouded Yellow butterfly Colias myrmidone (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in Romania

Cited by 17 publications

References 20 publications

Dispersal in a metapopulation of the critically endangered Danube Clouded Yellow butterfly Colias myrmidone: implications for conservation

Dispersal in a metapopulation of the critically endangered Danube Clouded Yellow butterfly Colias myrmidone: implications for conservation

Habitat‐related differences in the adult longevity of two ecotypes of a specialized butterfly

A highly endangered species on the edge: distribution, habitat use and outlook for Colias myrmidone in newly established Natura 2000 areas in Romania

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