Population genetic differences along a latitudinal cline between original and recently colonized habitat in a butterfly.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Past and current range or spatial expansions have important consequences on population genetic structure. Habitat-use expansion, i.e. changing habitat associations, may also influence genetic population parameters, but has been less studied. Here we examined the genetic population structure of a Palaeartic woodland butterfly Pararge aegeria (Nymphalidae) which has recently colonized agricultural landscapes in NW-Europe. Butterflies from woodland and agricultural landscapes differ in several phenotypic traits (including morphology, behavior and life history). We investigated whether phenotypic divergence is accompanied by genetic divergence between populations of different landscapes along a 700 km latitudinal gradient.

Methodology/principal findings

Populations (2

SUBMITTER: Vandewoestijne S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2972211 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature