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The Population Structure of Erebia Epipsodea (Lepidoptera: Satyrinae)
Author(s) -
Brussard Peter F.,
Ehrlich Paul R.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1933605
Subject(s) - butterfly , ecology , lepidoptera genitalia , geography , population , panmixia , nymphalidae , metapopulation , biology , biological dispersal , demography , genetic structure , sociology , genetic diversity
The satyrine butterfly Erebia epipsodea shows a population structure unlike that of any other butterfly studied in detail. Rather than being divided into numerous small populations which only rarely exchange individuals, E. epipsodea occurs in vast, effectively panmictic populations which may cover hundreds of square kilometers. There is a great deal of individual movement, and the butterflies are able to recognize and leave ecologically unsuitable areas. Such areas do not, however, seem to pose substantial barriers to their movement.