Demography of adults of the Marsh fritillary butterfly, Euphydryas aurinia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in the Czech Republic: Patterns across sites and seasons

Abstract

Abstract. The Marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) has declined across Europe, including the Czech Republic. Current conservation strategies rely on prevention of habitat loss and degradation, and increase in habitat quality and connectivity via promoting traditional grassland management. The population structure and adult demography parameters of a single population was investigated for eight years (single system), and of all the known Czech populations (multiple populations) for a single year, using mark-recapture. There was substantial variation in the patterns of adult demography, both among years in the single system and among the multiple populations in a single year. In the single system, the date of the first flight of an adult varied by 18 days over the 8 years and total annual numbers varied with a coefficient of variation of 0.40 (females fluctuating more than males). The average density was ca 80 adults/ha. The population size displayed density-dependence, i.e. decreased following years with high adult numbers, with an equilibrium density of 90 individuals/ha. The average density of the multiple populations was ca 120 individuals/ha. The estimated total population for the Czech Republic was 25,000 individuals (17,000 males / 8,000 females) in 2007, which does not indicate an imminent threat of extinction. The regional persistence of E. aurinia is likely to depend on recolonisation of temporarily vacant sites by dispersing individuals, facilitated by local shifts in adult flight phenology to that better adapted to local conditions.

Inverse link between density and dispersal distance in butterflies: field evidence from six co‐occurring species

“…These authors, however, pointed out that their experimental densities were much higher than densities normally reached by the species in nature. Indeed, we found, in another study of West Bohemian Euphydryas aurinia (Zimmermann et al 2011) that average E. aurinia densities at the site of this study (90 adults/ha) were lower than average densities across most of Czech Republic sites (120 adults/ha) and for most of the 8 years did not exceed carrying capacity of the habitat, estimated as ca. 90 adults/ha.…”

“…From 2002 onwards, we carried out markrecapture surveys of six species, some of them for multiple seasons (details: Zimmermann et al 2011). All butterflies were medium-sized nymphalids inhabiting humid grasslands and developing on forbs.…”

Dos and Don’ts for butterflies of the Habitats Directive of the European Union

“…If the surrounding landscape is being managed and colonies survive nearby, it will probably recolonize naturally in due course. (Anthes et al 2003a;Anthes et al 2003b;Anthes and Nunner 2006;Barnett and Warren 1995;Betzholtz et al 2007;Botham et al 2011;Bulman et al 2007;Hula et al 2004;Joyce and Pullin 2003;Junker and Schmitt 2010;Konvička et al 2003;Liu et al 2006;Munguira et al 1997;Porter and Ellis 2011;Saarinen et al 2005;Schtickzelle et al 2005;Smee et al 2011;Stefanescu et al 2006;Wang et al 2004;Warren 1994;Warren et al 1994;Zimmermann et al 2011a;Zimmermann et al 2011b)…”

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

“…Since the start and length of the flight period may be influenced by weather conditions (Zimmermann et al, 2011a), size of the population (chance effects) and habitat heterogeneity (Hanski & Gilpin, 1997, and references therein) this may simply reflect the influence of one or more of these parameters.…”