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Combined demographic, ecological and genetic tools reveal connectivity within a fragmented butterfly population

dc.abstract.enProtected species require targeted studies to establish population sizes, their dispersal capacity and the possible genetic bottleneck effect that could impair the future of the remaining populations. In this study, we used the genotyping-by-sequencing technique (SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism) combined with Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) method to measure the dispersal ability and subpopulation sizes of the protected butterfly Zerynthia polyxena in 14 sites of NW Italian Alps. The study species form a metapopulation divided into several small subpopulations (ranging from 90 to 859 estimated subpopulation sizes). The species showed low mobility, likely due to habitat fragmentation, with individuals travelling an average of 80 m from their original capture site. SNPs highlighted high observed heterozygosity, low genetic substructuring at short distances, and large genetic differentiation only for individuals found in sites located at 46 km distance, suggesting high gene flow at short distances and limited gene flow between distant populations. Although CMR data did not detect movement beyond 700 m, the genetic results revealed remarkable connectivity among nearby subpopulations. The results indicate that gene flow still exists among the subpopulations despite the fragmented habitat. Considering that the species is locally threatened by habitat loss due to the planning of a European high-speed railway, our data suggest that it is not too late to adopt conservation measures. In conclusion, combining genetic and ecological studies can be utilised to design proper conservation plans for protected and threatened insect metapopulations.
dc.affiliationWydział Medycyny Weterynaryjnej i Nauk o Zwierzętach
dc.affiliation.instituteKatedra Zoologii
dc.contributor.authorPiccini, Irene
dc.contributor.authorPellegrino, Irene
dc.contributor.authorBellone, Davide
dc.contributor.authorCucco, Marco
dc.contributor.authorDi Pietro, Viviana
dc.contributor.authorMignone, Flavio
dc.contributor.authorNasuelli, Martina
dc.contributor.authorBonelli, Simona
dc.date.access2025-02-12
dc.date.accessioned2025-02-12T10:11:16Z
dc.date.available2025-02-12T10:11:16Z
dc.date.copyright2024-07-17
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.accesstimeat_publication
dc.description.bibliographyil., bibliogr.
dc.description.financepublication_nocost
dc.description.financecost0,00
dc.description.if3,5
dc.description.numberOctober 2024
dc.description.points100
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume54
dc.identifier.doidoi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03095
dc.identifier.issn2351-9894
dc.identifier.urihttps://sciencerep.up.poznan.pl/handle/item/2474
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989424002993
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationbiological sciences
dc.relation.ispartofGlobal Ecology and Conservation
dc.relation.pagese03095
dc.rightsCC-BY-NC-ND
dc.sciencecloudnosend
dc.share.typeOPEN_JOURNAL
dc.subject.enconservation
dc.subject.enhabitat fragmentation
dc.subject.enmobility
dc.subject.enpopulation size
dc.subject.enSNPs
dc.subject.enZerynthia polyxena
dc.titleCombined demographic, ecological and genetic tools reveal connectivity within a fragmented butterfly population
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.volume54