Genetics of a butterfly relocation: large, small and introduced populations of the mountain endemic Erebia epiphron silesiana

Published source details Schmitt T., Cizek O. & Konvicka M. (2005) Genetics of a butterfly relocation: large, small and introduced populations of the mountain endemic Erebia epiphron silesiana. Biological Conservation, 123, 11-18.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Translocate to establish populations outside of known range Action Link

Translocate to establish populations outside of known range

A study in 2001–2002 in one subalpine grassland site in northern Czech Republic (2 - Schmitt et al 2005) found that 69 years after translocation, an introduced population of the small mountain ringlet butterfly Erebia epiphron silesiana had similar genetic diversity to its source population, and higher genetic diversity than a small native population. The mean genetic diversity of adult butterflies from the translocated population (expected heterozygosity (HE): 11.6%) was not significantly different from that of the source population (HE: 10%), and higher than that of a small native population close to the source population (HE: 5.5%). In 1932–1933, about 50 female butterflies were translocated from a native population in the Jeseniky Mountains to a site in the Krkonose Mountains where they had not previously been recorded. In July 2002, researchers collected 81 butterflies from two locations within the range of the translocated population. For comparison, in July 2001 and 2002, they collected 120 butterflies from three locations within the range of the large native source population (>10,000 individuals) and 46 butterflies from a smaller native population (5,000 individuals), both within the Jeseniky Mountains. DNA from these samples was used to measure genetic diversity.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)