Genetic variation in endemic Lepidoptera species
Informations
- Funding country
Hungary- Acronym
- -
- URL
- -
- Start date
- 4/1/2004
- End date
- 12/31/2006
- Budget
- 20,410 EUR
Fundings
| Name | Role | Start | End | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thematic Programme | Grant | 4/1/2004 | 12/31/2006 | 20,410 EUR |
Abstract
Due to intensive human activities the populations of several species have become fragmented and isolated coupled with decreasing population size. These processes resulted in a depletion of the genetic variation of the populations. As a consequence, the number of endangered and vulnerable species increased considerably in the last few decades. Thus the aim of various studies in conservation genetics is to analyse the genetic structure of species which are significant for nature conservation. In the present study, we have chosen two Lycaenid butterflies which are endemic subspecies in the Carpathian Basin and therefore, they are significant both in taxonomy and biogegeography. At the same time they are not endangered, nevertheless they belong to the vulnerable species of Europe. The main goal of our study is to compare the level and structure of enzyme polymorphism and morphological variation in the Hungarian populations of Aricia artaxerxes issekutzi and Plebejus zephirus. The results enable us to recognise the most important evolutionary forces influencing the populations of these two species.