Recombination is a genetic process of extreme importance in evolutionary biology. It creates novel haplotypes and breaks down existing ones, and can affect the levels of genetic diversity and the efficacy of selection. It also plays an important role in the evolution of sex chromosomes and the divergence process leading to speciation. Considering the particularities of the wood white (Leptidea sinapis) genome, with holocentric chromosomes, female achiasmy and a population-level cline in chromosome number, the study of its recombination landscape represents an opportunity to deepen the understanding of both this particular study system, and the underpinnings and consequences of recombination rate variation in general.  After DNA extraction and sequencing of 96 wood whites sampled across Sweden, population structure analyses were carried out together with a demographic history inference, which was used together with linkage disequilibrium information to establish the recombination rate in short intervals along the different chromosomes.  Population structure analyses showed that the sample set included 12 individuals of a cryptic species (cryptic wood white, L. juvernica) and, consistent with previous studies, a single population of L. sinapis in Sweden. Demographic inference analyses for independent scaffolds showed similar trend, with effective population size (Ne) decreasing considerably over the last 10,000 generations. The obtained recombination maps had a high resolution, and allowed for the identification of 553 putative recombination hotspots with a mean length of 3,770 bp. The genome-wide recombination rate was 9.98 cM/Mb, higher than in any vertebrate and butterfly species previously analysed, but lower than in the honey bee. A negative correlation between recombination rate and chromosome size was found, as well as a lower recombination rate on the Z chromosomes compared to the autosomes. The results are important for understanding the mechanisms underlying regional recombination rate variation in holocentric organisms and the potential for chromosome rearrangements to affect the recombination frequency, and consequently, rates and patterns of molecular evolution.

Balancing selection refers to the maintenance of multiple phenotypic variants within a population. There are a number of proposed mechanisms explaining the origin and persistence of the evolution and genetics of polymorphisms, but they largely remain unresolved in the specific instances in which they occur. This study aims to identify the genetic basis of a polymorphism in the butterfly, Heliconius doris, which displays four distinct color patterns on the dorsal hindwings of individuals. While Mullerian mimetic theory proposes that phenotypes will converge on a common, aposematic phenotype, this is not the case in Heliconius doris. We identify an interval perfectly associated with the presence/absence of the red ray phenotype, and propose potential mechanisms and genetic architecture through which this polymorphism has been allowed to persist.

Madame Butterfly is analyzed as a cultural icon. Puccini s Madaina Butterfly and the Butterfly icon, i.e. the submissive Oriental beauty who cannot live after her Western lover betrays her, permeate Western stereotypes of Eastern culture. Through this mindset, miscommunication develops. This concept was popularized in David Henry Hwang's play M. Butterfly, which builds upon Puccini's opera. Through the character's misperceptions of each other, the opera's tragic ending is repeated in Hwang's play after the French diplomat Gallimard realizes that his ideal woman is actually a male spy. Traditions regarding homosexuality and cross-dressing help Song to create Gallimard's feminine ideal. The theater contributes through tan and onnagata roles where men are trained to create perfect feminine illusions. These stereotypes are problematic because they do not allow for the complexities that exist in the theater, on film, and in actual events. Through increased sensitivity and awareness, individuals can see past the stereotypes to see other's complexities. / Department of English

The presence of inhabitants in protected areas, a common occurrence in developing countries, represents a major challenge for conservation. This MA thesis questions the state's strategy in the case of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, in Mexico, a strategy which is officially based on the implementation of sustainable development through the participation of local communities. Working with the assumption that sustainable development is a political concept that implies a competition between different actors in order to define what has to be sustained, for whom, by whom, why, and how, I first analyze the factors that, until now, have impeded local inhabitants' participation. I argue that the subordination of civil society by the state during the last century is a historical burden that has debilitated civil society's capacity for effective participation. Second, I discuss the state's vision of sustainable development and the weight given to the two conflicting visions held, on the one hand, by local inhabitants and, on the other, by the environmentalists and biologists. I conclude that the state's appeal for the participation of local communities is not in recognition of the fact that local inhabitants have the right to greater input in the definition of sustainable development in the region, but needs to be understood as a strategy to achieve rule compliance. Unfortunately, then, while the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve may be managed according to a vision of sustainable development, this is not a vision that has emerged from a dialogue between the state and civil society. Local support is thus unlikely since transforming local communities into allies would rather require achieving a compromise based upon genuine dialogue.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Applied Geosciences / Master / Master of Science

2 pp. / The first sign of a potential alfalfa caterpillar (Colias eurytheme) outbreak is the influx of large numbers of yellow or white butterflies in late spring or early summer. This publication discusses the biology of the alfalfa caterpillar, the damage it causes, the biological and cultural controls, and the treatments for it.

Given the rapid population decline and recent petition for listing of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus L.) under the Endangered Species Act, an accurate estimate of the Eastern, migratory population size is needed. Because of difficulty in counting individual monarchs, the number of hectares occupied by monarchs in the overwintering area is commonly used as a proxy for population size, which is then multiplied by the density of individuals per hectare to estimate population size. There is, however, considerable variation in published estimates of overwintering density, ranging from 6.9-60.9 million ha(-1). We develop a probability distribution for overwinter density of monarch butterflies from six published density estimates. The mean density among the mixture of the six published estimates was similar to 27.9 million butterflies ha(-1) (95% CI [2.4-80.7] million ha(-1)); the mixture distribution is approximately log-normal, and as such is better represented by the median (21.1 million butterflies ha(-1)). Based upon assumptions regarding the number of milkweed needed to support monarchs, the amount of milkweed (Asciepias spp.) lost (0.86 billion stems) in the northern US plus the amount of milkweed remaining (1.34 billion stems), we estimate >1.8 billion stems is needed to return monarchs to an average population size of 6 ha. Considerable uncertainty exists in this required amount of milkweed because of the considerable uncertainty occurring in overwinter density estimates. Nevertheless, the estimate is on the same order as other published estimates, The studies included in our synthesis differ substantially by year, location, method, and measures of precision. A better understanding of the factors influencing overwintering density across space and time would be valuable for increasing the precision of conservation recommendations.

Master of Science / Division of Biology / David A. Haukos / The regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia) was once an abundant butterfly species of North American prairie communities. Despite its once broad geographic distribution, populations have declined by ~99% in the prairie region for reasons that are poorly understood. The rapid, range-wide declines and persistent threats to extant populations from habitat loss and mismanagement prompted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to initiate a species status review of the regal fritillary as a potential candidate for listing under the endangered species act in September 2015. Due to the uncertain status and contention regarding the effects of management practices (i.e., burning, grazing, and haying) on regal fritillary, my research objectives were to assess the effects of management practices and habitat features on the distribution and density of regal fritillary and their preferred larval host plant for the Midwest, prairie violet (Viola pedatifida). I generated species distribution models (SDM) of prairie violet to readily identify potential areas across the landscape containing patches of host plants and subsequently facilitate the location of regal fritillary larvae. The SDM produced maps of the probabilistic occurrence distribution of prairie violet throughout my study area and highlighted habitat features and management practices important to the occurrence of prairie violet. The seven final variables used to create the SDM and identified as important to the occurrence of prairie violet were elevation, slope, hillshade, slope position, land cover type, soil type, and average fire frequency. Using the SDM for prairie violet, I located eight areas to conduct surveys for regal fritillary larvae that were managed using various management (grazing and haying) regimes and fire-return intervals (low ≥ 10 years, moderate 3-5 years, and high 1-2 years). I used a binomial generalized linear model to determine the effects of management, host plant density, months since burn, and the interaction between months since burn and management on the occurrence distribution of regal fritillary larvae. My results indicate that greater host plant density and short fire-return intervals are important to the occurrence of regal fritillary larvae and, despite current management recommendations, larvae may be negatively impacted by a lack of fire. Finally, I surveyed tracts of prairie with my study area using a distance sampling approach along line transects stratified by overall management (burned, grazed, and hayed) and fire-return interval (low ≥10 years, moderate 3-5 years, and high 1-2 years) for adult regal fritillary. My results indicated that adult density was at least 84% greater in areas that received moderate fire-return intervals and greatest in areas that were grazed and burned on a moderate fire-return interval. However, density estimates of adult regal fritillary did not differ among overall management practices (i.e., burned grazed, hayed). Additionally, adult density increased as percent cover of grass, litter, and prairie violets increased. In contrast, adult density decreased as percent cover of woody vegetation and forbs increased. These results support the use of prescribed fire in a shifting mosaic or patch-burning practice as a viable management strategy for maintaining and conserving regal fritillary populations within the Flint Hills region.

As a result of changes in grass sward composition and vegetation structure, as well as overgrowth of trees and bushes in open areas, many woodland butterfly species have declined across Europe. Lopinga achine is a flagship species of woodlands and it has gone extinct from several habitats in Europe. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of habitat factors on the occurrence of L. achine and investigate if alteration in such habitat factors effect on their movement pattern. The experiments were conducted in the south east of Sweden. The occurrence of the butterflies and sampling habitat factors were recorded in transect method in 11 sites in the province of Östergötland. Furthermore, movement pattern and flight speed of 28 individuals were tested in two sites with different habitat structures. Habitat variables including host plant (Carex montana) abundance, grass sward height, tree canopy cover and also fern abundance had a significant effect on the occurrence of the species. In addition, open area with short grass height and less canopy cover affected the movement pattern and speed of L. achine and individuals flew more straight and faster in open areas. In conclusion, results shown that habitat factors are important for the occurrence of L. achine and population viability. In addition, alteration in habitat structure such as short grass sward height and lack of bush and canopy trees effect on butterflies’ movement behaviour, which may lead to population decline or extinction of the species from local habitats.