Niche breadth explains the range size of European-centred butterflies, but dispersal ability does not.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

The breadth of ecological niches and dispersal abilities have long been discussed as important determinants of species' range sizes. However, studies directly comparing the relative effects of both factors are rare, taxonomically biased and revealed inconsistent results.

Location

Europe.

Time period

Cenozoic.

Major taxa

Butterflies, Lepidoptera.

Methods

We relate climate, diet and habitat niche breadth and two indicators of dispersal ability, wingspan and a dispersal tendency index, to the global range size of 369 European-centred butterfly species. The relative effects of these five predictors and their variation across the butterfly phylogeny were assessed by means of phylogenetic generalized least squares models and phylogenetically weighted regre

SUBMITTER: Hausharter J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10946795 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature