Host plant use drives genetic differentiation in syntopic populations of Maculinea alcon

• Published in: PeerJ (San Francisco, CA) Vol. 4; p. e1865
• Main Authors: Tartally, András, Kelager, Andreas, Fürst, Matthias A., Nash, David R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States PeerJ. Ltd 31.03.2016; PeerJ, Inc; PeerJ Inc
• Subjects: Animal behavior; Bayesian analysis; Butterflies & moths; Conservation Biology; Conservation units; Dispersal; Disruptive selection; Ecology; Ecotypes; Entomology; Evolutionary Studies; Flowering; Formicidae; Gene flow; Genetic markers; Genetics; Gentiana; Host plants; Hymenoptera; Immigration; Lepidoptera; Lycaenidae; Maculinea arion; Microsatellites; Myrmica; Parasites; Phenological separation; Phenology; Phylogenetics; Population genetics; Conservation units; Myrmica; Phenological separation; Host specificity; Immigration; Disruptive selection; Maculinea rebeli; Gentiana

The rare socially parasitic butterfly Maculinea alcon occurs in two forms, which are characteristic of hygric or xeric habitats and which exploit different host plants and host ants. The status of these two forms has been the subject of considerable controversy. Populations of the two forms are usua...