Population Genetic Structure and Demography of the Critically Endangered Chequered Blue Butterfly (Scolitantides orion) in a Highly Isolated Part of Its Distribution Range.

摘要: Scolitantides orion is a butterfly species threatened in many European countries. In Poland, it survived single highly isolated area (Vistula River valley), which an example of the dramatic decline population number. We studied two largest remaining populations inhabiting opposite banks river. Mark-release-recapture studies showed that both were small, and they fluctuated numbers, but adult individuals twice as numerous on western site. Genetic analyses carried out using mitochondrial (COI, ND5) nuclear markers (Wgl, EF-1α, microsatellite loci). found genetic variation was low at sites higher smaller eastern population. This pattern likely to be better explained by past distribution, when butterfly, continental used much more widespread east. However, differentiation between low. could suggest existing gene flow facilitated dominant regional wind direction, may also contribute condition Finally, comparison obtained COI sequences with others available enabled us reveal phylogeographic S. from different localities within its range.