Reintroduction and conservation genetics of butterflies

Camila Morfín Medina

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

This thesis provides an overview of Lepidoptera conservation genetics and techniques, with a focus on reintroductions. Lepidopterans play a crucial role in pollination and can serve as excellent bioindicators, making them essential for nature conservation. As a result of their continuous decrease, they are increasingly being used in conservation efforts. Strategies like reintroduction programs are regularly implemented and it is, therefore, necessary to have a deeper understanding of them, to ensure they have a positive effect on the species. This research seeks to identify the elements that impact the success or failure of Lepidoptera reintroductions. The review shows a strong correlation between reintroduction success and habitat quality and management. It also reveals a higher record of successful reintroductions for the projects that released individuals as caterpillars and eggs. Europe appears to be the leader in Lepidopteran reintroductions, accounting for over half of the reintroductions in this research. Additionally, most of the studied reintroductions were carried out in non-forest habitats, particularly grasslands. Reintroductions that established techniques to monitor the success before releasing the individuals were found to be successful, even in their initial stages, suggesting a positive influence on the overall outcome of reintroductions. If these influencing elements are considered, future reintroduction efforts, including those for the focus species, could be positively impacted. By examining and comparing previous reintroduction attempts, this work evaluates the implementation of this strategy for the conservation of the focus species, Chazara briseis.

Keywords

non-invasive DNA, Lepidoptera, population genetics, reintroduction

Jazyk práce: English

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 29. 3. 2023

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 23. 5. 2023
• Vedúci: Ing. Jana Svobodová, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Lada Jakubíková, externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Bachelor programme:
Environmental Engineering