Sex-biased topography effects on butterfly dispersal

• DOI: 10.1186/s40462-020-00234-6
• Publication Date: 2020-12-14T22:09:37Z
• Authors: Elisa Plazio; Terezie Bubová; Vladimír Vrabec; Piotr Nowicki
• Keywords: Metapopulation; Animal ecology; Philopatry; Mark and recapture

Abstract Background Metapopulation persistence in fragmented landscapes is assured by dispersal of individuals between local populations. In this scenario the landscape topography, although usually neglected, may have an important role shaping throughout matrix separating habitat patches. Due to inter-sexual differences optimal reproductive strategies, i.e., males maximizing number mating opportunities and females offspring survival chances, topography-related constraints are expected exert a different effect on male female behaviour. We tested sex-biased topography effects butterfly dispersal, with following hypotheses: (1) constrained their movements avoid hill crossing; (2) primarily driven two-dimensional spatial structure patches (i.e. geometric locations sizes) little influenced topography. Methods Following intensive mark-recapture surveys Maculinea (= Phengaris ) nausithous M. teleius within characterised alternation hills valleys, we investigated sex-specific patterns inter-patch movement probabilities derived multi-state recapture model. particular, analysed fit kernels based Euclidean straight line) vs. topography-based through valley) distances; compared for pairs separated or not topographic barriers; (3) downward upward Results distances proved be substantially stronger predictor males, while measured along valleys performed much better females, indicating that latter tend predominantly follow when dispersing. addition, there were significantly lower across but males. Conclusions Both above results provide support hypothesis restricts Since two sexes contribute differently metapopulation functioning, only can result successful (re)colonisations vacant patches, exerted should considered particular attention management conservation actions designed order maintain functional connectivity systems.