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Transformation of butterfly fauna on a middle scale: Situation in the South Bohemian Region.
ZAPLETAL, Michal
This thesis summarises historical and recent information on the distribution of butterflies in South Bohemian region, based on 130 records from literature, collections and recording reports, amassed during Mapping of Czech Republic butterflies. Historical and present distributions of each of 130 butterfly species found in their region are displayed on distribution maps. Out of the 130 species, 42,1 % is already extinct, while 24,1 % is threatened to some extend. Comparison with the situation in entire Czech Republic reveals a higher rate of extinctions, which is probably a function of smaller total area. Compared with the Czech Republic total, xerophilous species suffered higher losses in South Bohemia, whereas species of mesic habitats are relatively less endangered and for peat bogs specialists, the region represents a major refugium. Priorities for further research and active conservation measures are discussed.
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Ecology of butterflies traditionally managed submontane meadows
ZIMMERMANN, Kamil
The persistence of Marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) and its relationships with five other closly related and co-occuring Nymphalidae butterflies was studied in identical habitat networks. Basic demography and dispersal patterns, and their consequences for conservation strategies, were investigated across mutliple sites and seasons.
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Does butterfly mating behaviour change with phenological condition of populations?
VLAŠÁNEK, Petr
The optimization theory assumes that males of insects with separate adult generations should preferentially invest into the mating if there are the most fresh females; in other times they should save energy and focus on maintenance activities. Based on this assumption, butterfly behaviour should change with season, population density (mainly the sex ratio) and day time. To explore these assumptions, we used mark recapture data obtained from several mark-recapture studies, which contained records of behaviour of each handled individual. In total, we analysed data on 14 species, 24 ``butterfly-seasons{\crqq}, 21 737 individuals (14 228 males, 7 509 females). We subjected the behavioural data to ordination analyses controlled for weather effects. For daily patterns, morning and afternoon activities comprise mainly of maintenance activities, while mating seems to occur in middays. Regarding seasonal patterns, males of most of the species switched from mating behaviour to maintenance behaviour. No prevailing trend applied to females, in which we found both transitions from mating behaviour to maintenance activities and opposite patterns. Density predictors (sex ration, daily population size) revealed changes in mating behaviour of one sex with changing the abundance of the other sex. In conclusion, exploring mark-recapture data for behavioural patterns proved to be fruitful, but cannot fully replace studying behaviour via more traditional ethological methods.
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