Assessing reintroduction schemes by comparing genetic diversity of reintroduced and source populations: a case study of the globally threatened large blue butterfly (Maculinea arion)

Published source details Andersen A., Simcox D.J., Thomas J.A. & Nash D.R. (2014) Assessing reintroduction schemes by comparing genetic diversity of reintroduced and source populations: a case study of the globally threatened large blue butterfly (Maculinea arion). Biological Conservation, 175, 34-41.
Share Tweet Email

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Translocate to re-establish populations in known or believed former range Action Link

Translocate to re-establish populations in known or believed former range

A site comparison study in 2010–2011 in 12 grasslands in Somerset, UK and Öland, Sweden (Andersen et al 2014) found that large blue butterflies Maculinea arion reintroduced to the UK in 1991 survived for at least 19 generations and had similar levels of genetic diversity to the Swedish source population. Nineteen generations after release, the translocated population had similar genetic diversity to the source population (data presented as standardised allelic richness and expected heterozygosity). Low levels of inbreeding were also found amongst the UK populations (data presented as inbreeding coefficients). In 1991, as part of a wider reintroduction, 281 large blue caterpillars were translocated from 11 sites in Sweden to a single site in the Polden Hills, UK. Following natural dispersal and three further translocations from the first release site, large blues spread to 25 sites in the Polden Hills. In 2010 and 2011 hindwing clippings were taken from 128 adult butterflies at seven sites in Sweden, and 59 whole caterpillars were taken from five sites in the Polden Hills, for genetic analysis.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)