Ecological and genetic basis of metapopulation persistence of the Glanville fritillary butterfly in fragmented landscapes.

ABSTRACT: Ecologists are challenged to construct models of the biological consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation. Here, we use a metapopulation model to predict the distribution of the Glanville fritillary butterfly during 22 years across a large heterogeneous landscape with 4,415 small dry meadows. The majority (74%) of the 125 networks into which the meadows were clustered are below the extinction threshold for long-term persistence. Among the 33 networks above the threshold, spatial configuration and habitat quality rather than the pooled habitat area predict metapopulation size and persistence, but additionally allelic variation in a SNP in the gene Phosphoglucose isomerase (Pgi) explains 30% of variation in metapopulation size. The Pgi genotypes are associated with dispersal rate and he

SUBMITTER: Hanski I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5321745 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature