Monitoring spatiotemporal patterns in the genetic diversity of a European butterfly species

Greenwell, M. P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5406-6222, Botham, M. S., Bruford, M. W., Day, J. C., Gibbs, M., Høye, T. T., Maes, D., Middlebrook, I., Musche, M., Pettersson, L. B., Roy, D. B., Settele, J., Stefanescu, C., Teder, T., Thomas, N. E., Watts, K. and Oliver, T. H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4169-7313 (2024) Monitoring spatiotemporal patterns in the genetic diversity of a European butterfly species. Insect Conservation and Diversity. ISSN 1752-4598 doi: 10.1111/icad.12786

Abstract/Summary

1) The importance of genetic diversity has been recognised by the Convention on Biological Diversity but attempts at monitoring or improving the genetic diversity of populations have been minimal. 2) Here we investigate changes over time in the genetic diversity of a wild insect species (Maniola jurtina) and present a large-scale investigation into contemporary spatial genetic diversity. 3) Using microsatellite markers, we calculate multiple measures of genetic diversity and divergence for M. jurtina populations over eight years in the UK and compare these findings with long term abundance trends. 4) We also conduct a large-scale spatial analysis into the genetic diversity and population structuring of M. jurtina across Europe. 5) All UK populations sampled have high levels of gene flow and genetic diversity, with genetic diversity stable over time. 6) Across Europe we find some population structuring between populations in the UK and the European mainland, suggesting restricted geneflow between the two regions. 7) The monitoring of a wild species’ genetic diversity is an achievable aim, and one that could be carried out for many species, particularly Lepidoptera. Future approaches may aim to develop higher resolution genetic markers and cover a wider range of species. 8) The use of abundance data offers additional insight, and we find that concurrent, dedicated genetic monitoring can provide effective tracking of biodiversity trends.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/118952
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences > Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Publisher	Wiley
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