Adult demography, spatial distribution and movements of Zerynthia polyxena (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in a dense network of permanent habitats

Abstract

Abstract. The adult demographic parameters, mobility, nectar choice and how the spatial distribution of males and females of Z. polyxena is affected by the distribution and abundance of host-plants, and adults of the opposite sex was studied in a population of this species inhabiting a dense network of permanent habitats (totalling 8.7 ha). The population size was estimated to be ca. 300 individuals. The average adult lifespan was 4.4 days and the maximum 23 (male) and 20 (female) days. The capture probability was higher for males than females due to the more conspicuous behaviour and bounded area of activity of males. A slow increase was followed by a slow decrease in the sex specific parabolic recruitment curve, indicating slight protandry and long emergence period, probably due to habitat heterogeneity. The spatial distribution of host plants (Aristolochia lutea) is the key factor determining the spatial distribution of adults. There was a strong positive correlation between male and female density at each patch, both of which were dependent on the cover of host plants growing in sunny conditions. In searching for A. lutea plants suitable for oviposition, females fly greater distances and move more frequently between patches than males. The size, shape and orientation of the male home range were influenced by the size, shape and orientation of stands of host-plants in sunny positions, but not by patch area. Such adult fidelity to stands of host-plants in sunny positions indicates that the spatial distributions of oviposition sites, matelocating sites and larval habitats of Z. polyxena overlap. The better statistical fit and much lower probabilities for long-distance movements generated by a negative exponential function than an inverse power function are probably due to the small size and high habitat connectivity of the site studied. Adults were opportunistic in their use of nectar plants. Traditional management is the key factor for maintaining permanent habitats for this species in a grassland biotope.

When the Rule Becomes the Exception. No Evidence of Gene Flow between Two Zerynthia Cryptic Butterflies Suggests the Emergence of a New Model Group

“…However, no instances have been reported of both a strong diversification in genitalic structure and complete absence of introgression, as shown in our study [13], [16], [29], [49]. An important factor determining the evolution of two very distinct morphologies and genetic units is probably due to the low dispersal ability of Zerynthia [54]. Moreover, males and females of both species are highly phylopatric and their area of activity mostly depends on the distribution of the same larval host plants ( Aristolochia spp.)…”

Movements and flight morphology in the endangered Large Blue butterflies

“…Laying eggs in different fragments of a habitat patch or in different patches helps to maximise offspring survival, and thus female fitness, through risk spreading [2]. Distribution of butterfly males within a habitat patch is usually affected by the microdistribution and density of freshly emerged (receptive) females [33,34]. Since the females emerge in specific sites the distribution of males may be constrained to these sites, which may in turn result in their lower flight distances.…”

Co-occurrence of threeAristolochia-feeding Papilionids(Archon apollinus, Zerynthia polyxenaandZerynthia cerisy)in Greek Thrace

“…Residency values (and hence, daily and average survival), obtained from markrecapture data, did not deviate from those reported for other univoltine spring-flying butterflies (e.g. Vlasanek et al 2009;Celik 2012). In cases when sexes differed, males displayed higher residency than females, contrasting with the distantly related springflying papilionid Parnassius mnemosyne (Vlasanek et al 2009) or with a population of Z. polyxena in Slovenia (Celik 2012).…”

“…Vlasanek et al 2009;Celik 2012). In cases when sexes differed, males displayed higher residency than females, contrasting with the distantly related springflying papilionid Parnassius mnemosyne (Vlasanek et al 2009) or with a population of Z. polyxena in Slovenia (Celik 2012). Lower female residency indicates either increased mortality or increased emigration.…”

“…Grill and Cleary 2003;Grill et al 2005;Kati et al 2012), only a few studies have targeted the mechanistic details of species occurrence (e.g. Celik 2012;Verovnik et al 2013). One approach to studying the mechanisms that maintain biodiversity is to compare life histories of sympatric related species overlapping in resource use.…”