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Possible Metapopulation Structure of the Threatened ButterflyPyrgus armoricanus in Sweden

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Abstract

Many insect species dependent on patchily distributed habitats have been shown to exist as metapopulations. Here I investigated the occurrence patterns of the butterfly Pyrgus armoricanus at its northern range margin in Sweden. This was done by mapping all potentially suitable habitat patches within the only area in Sweden where the species occurs (ca. 10×20 km), and thereafter checking for presence of the butterfly in all these patches. P. armoricanus was found in 15 patches of dry grassland with presence of one of its potential larval host plants. Both the probability of occurrence and local abundance increased with patch area and decreased with increased isolation. Local abundance was positively related to the presence of an additional host plant. The results support the hypothesis that the persistence of P. armoricanus in Sweden is dependent on metapopulation dynamics. However, further studies, both on dispersal ability and on habitat requirements are needed before this can be ascertained.

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  1. Department of Ecology, Animal Ecology, Lund University, Ecology Building, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden

    Erik Öckinger

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  1. Erik Öckinger
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Öckinger, E. Possible Metapopulation Structure of the Threatened ButterflyPyrgus armoricanus in Sweden. J Insect Conserv 10, 43–51 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-005-1249-7

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