Pattern of genetic differentiation in the Maculinea alcon species group (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) in Central Europe

Abstract

The taxonomic status of Alcon Blues living in Central and Western Europe (conventionally: Maculinea alcon and Maculinea rebeli) is quite confused. Some authors distinguish them as separate species of the M. alcon species group, while others consider them as subspecies or simply ecological forms. Our aim was to study the pattern of genetic differentiation among several populations of these taxa with reference to their taxonomic position.Imagoes were collected from 27 localities in Central Europe between 1999 and 2003. Samples originated from four regions: northern Hungary, central Hungary, Romania: Transylvania and Slovenia. Enzyme polymorphism was analysed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In all samples 16 enzyme loci were studied. In the analysis of the data, F-statistics was computed and the total genetic variation was partitioned into within and between population components. Nei's genetic distances were calculated and UPGMA dendrogram was constructed on the basis of the distance matrix. Hierarchical F-statistics and amova was computed to study the pattern of genetic differentiation among the samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) was also carried out using the allele frequencies of the samples.The results of all analyses indicated a high level of differentiation among the samples. The differences among the samples collected in different years from the same population accounted for a considerable amount of the between sample variation. The distribution of the between sample variation did not exhibit a species pattern. The results of amova and PCA indicated that the geographic pattern was slightly more expressed in the between sample variation compared with the species pattern of it. These results seem to contradict with the conventional taxonomical subdivision.

Contrasting levels of polymorphism in cross-amplified microsatellites in two endangered xerothermophilous, obligatorily myrmecophilous, butterflies of the genus Phengaris (Maculinea) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

“…We suggest that populations of P. arion have a higher level of genetic variability than other members of the genus, however confirmation of this and its explanation requires further study, involving sympatric populations and more comparable sample sizes. Conversely, P. alcon (including P. 'rebeli') is reported to be less polymorphic than other lycaenid butterflies (Bereczki et al, 2005).…”

“…This suggests that gene flow between southern populations and north-eastern areas was recently rather intensive. Similarly, the lack of a clear pattern of genetic differentiation between groups of populations using different food plants was recently indicated for the Phengaris alcon/rebeli group (Bereczki et al, 2005).…”

“…There is no doubt that the molecular techniques, which allow researchers to measure and characterize the pattern of distribution of genetic variability at the molecular level, have significantly increased our knowledge about members of the genus Phengaris (Maculinea). For example, allozyme data were used to analyse genetic differentiation among populations of four Phengaris species inhabiting eastern parts of Central Europe (Pecsenye et al, 2007), investigate the genetic structure of sympatric populations of P. nausithous and P. teleius (Figurny-Puchalska et al, 2000) and local populations of P. alcon on the Jutland peninsula (Gadeberg & Boomsma, 1997), as well as resolve taxonomic uncertainties between P. alcon and P. 'rebeli' (Bereczki et al, 2005). In addition, mitochondrial gene sequences have served as a source of information for reconstructing the phylogeny of Phengaris/Maculinea taxa (Als et al, 2004).…”

The “Evolutionarily Significant Unit” concept and its applicability in biological conservation

“…Even though some unpublished data obtained by K. Schönrogge and L. P. Casacci from larval epicuticular hydrocarbons would support their differentiation, other molecular studies based on sequence data of nuclear and mtDNA, or on allozymes (Als et al 2004;Pech et al 2004;Thomas & Settele 2004;Bereczki et al 2005;Fric et al 2007;Pecsenye et al 2007), have failed to find evidence for a clade-level separation between M. alcon and M.…”

Myrmica ants host highly diverse parasitic communities: from social parasites to microbes

“…alcon) and the cruciata ecotype (former Ma. rebeli) (Als et al, 2004;Bereczki et al, 2005;Tartally et al, 2014). All of them have a peculiar life cycle (Fig.…”