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Dispersal, population size, and reproduction in a fire-maintained frosted elfin (Callophrys irus) metapopulation

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Abstract

The frosted elfin (Callophrys irus) is imperiled and declining over much of its range with many extant populations separated by large expanses of unsuitable habitat. Demographic information is largely lacking for this species which is necessary for land managers to develop effective management plans. We provide data on dispersal, population size, and reproduction based upon a color-marked population of frosted elfins in the Apalachicola National Forest (Florida, USA; ANF hereafter). Our 78.5 ha study area within the ANF contained 26 distinct patches of the frosted elfin’s host plant (sundial lupine; Lupinus perennis) and contained two management units, one > 2 year post-fire and the other < 1 year post-fire. In 2021, we marked 449 unique individuals and resighted 193 of the marked frosted elfins later in the breeding season. Of those resighted, 76 individuals had dispersed to another distinct sundial lupine patch. An inverse power function fitted to the cumulative distance moved by dispersers predicted that 50% disperse at least 263.2 m (95% CI: 112.9–610.1 m). A fully-parametric frailty model indicated females and individuals with less wing wear were more likely to disperse than others. Estimated gross superpopulation size for females and males (POPAN Jolly-Seber model) showed differences between the > 2 year (females: 428.70 [95% CI: 376.78–487.78], males: 478.35 [95% CI: 425.48–537.81]) and the < 1 year since fire management units (females: 41.23 [95%CI: 32.93–51.63], males: 23.49 [95%CI: 15.95–34.62]). Information on reproduction is also important for long-term persistence which may depend on demographic and environmental factors. We used a generalized linear mixed-effects model to evaluate factors influencing the number of eggs found on sundial lupine. The top performing model indicated that egg numbers increased with increases in the number of inflorescences and were higher in the management unit with the longest time since fire. This demographic information is integral to making informed decisions on habitat structure in regards to metapopulation dynamics. Future studies that incorporate multiple years of data and the effects of fire will provide further insight into long-term population persistence.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to and thank the following for their invaluable contributions: the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida (Conserve Wildlife License Plate Grant), Florida Power & Light Company, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s At-risk Species Program for their financial support; the U.S. Forest Service Apalachicola National Forest for providing access to their lands and managing fire regimes and Jessica Valdez (USFS) for her support of frosted elfin conservation and research; Jim Cox, Tall Timbers Research Station, for his overall support; Scott M. Pokswinski, Tall Timbers Research Station for logistical support, Jean McElveen for her net modifications and comments to the manuscript; and Heather Levy, Tall Timbers Research Station for her helpful comments on the manuscript. All work was performed under Forest Service permit number WAK01192021.

Funding

Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida’s Conserve Wildlife License Plate, Florida Power & Light Company, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the At-risk Species Program, via the Wildlife Management Institute.

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  1. Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Dr, Tallahassee, FL, 32312, USA

    Robert T. Meyer, Nelson T. Ball & Dave McElveen

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  1. Robert T. Meyer
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  2. Nelson T. Ball
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  3. Dave McElveen
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RTM, DM and NB conducted the work; RTM prepared the draft manuscript and statistical analysis; DM and NTB edited draft manuscript.

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Correspondence to Robert T. Meyer.

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Meyer, R.T., Ball, N.T. & McElveen, D. Dispersal, population size, and reproduction in a fire-maintained frosted elfin (Callophrys irus) metapopulation. J Insect Conserv 28, 165–177 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-023-00531-6

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