Extremely endangered butterflies of scattered Central European dry grasslands under current habitat alteration

0545271 - BC 2022 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Sucháčková Bartoňová, Alena - Konvička, Martin - Marešová, Jana - Bláhová, D. - Číp, D. - Skala, P. - Andres, M. - Hula, V. - Dolek, M. - Geyer, A. - Böck, O. - Kadlec, T. - Faltýnek Fric, Zdeněk
Extremely endangered butterflies of scattered Central European dry grasslands under current habitat alteration.
Insect Systematics and Diversity. Roč. 5, č. 5 (2021), č. článku 6. E-ISSN 2399-3421
Grant - others:TA ČR(CZ) SS03010232
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : biogeography * conservation * insect
OECD category: Entomology
Impact factor: 2.841, year: 2021
Method of publishing: Open access
https://academic.oup.com/isd/article-pdf/5/5/6/40302016/ixab017.pdf

Central European dry grasslands represent extrazonal patches of the Eurasian steppe biome. They suffer from severe habitat alterations due to land use changes, abandonment or inappropriate management. The butterflies Chazara briseis (Linnaeus, 1764), Polyommatus damon (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) and Polyommatus dorylas (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), specialised inhabitants of these steppe patches, are all swiftly disappearing from Central Europe. We reviewed data on the recent history of their population retractions in the region, including conservation efforts. Using samples from their whole distribution ranges, we sequenced and analysed COI and wingless genes and together with Species Distribution Modelling reconstructed their biogeographic histories. Populations of Chazara briseis expanded over the Eurasian steppe biome, where large ungulates maintained extensive grasslands with short open sward. Polyommatus damon became widespread in the steppes during glacial times, and retracted during interglacials, resembling cold-adapted species. It is limited by too dry weather, and it requires disturbed grassland followed by temporal abandonment. Its present genetic structure was induced by the major Pleistocene mountain glaciations. Polyommatus dorylas prefers an
oceanic climate and populated Central Europe from the Balkans during theHolocene. The species depends on disturbed ground. Currently, all three species inhabit only a few remnant sites in Central Europe, and their populations have been further declining in recent years. Targeted conservation actions, including habitat management at remaining sites, ex situ breeding and (re)introductions, are being taken in Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0326458