Butterfly conservation genetics

Abstract

Conservation programs are challenged with preventing biodiversity loss; losses that have typically been managed as preservation of individual species and groups. An increasing focus on different levels of biodiversity has promoted methods evaluating the genetic diversity in these species as a tool in preventing species loss. Therefore, most conservation practitioners today realize the need to evaluate, preserve, and manage population-level and range-wide genetic diversity as an essential component in the preservation of species. Recent methodological (e.g. Non-lethal tissue sampling) and technological advances (e.g. High-throughput sequencing) have greatly increased our ability to evaluate genetic diversity in endangered and threatened butterflies. In this chapter, we provide a framework and guide for conducting genetic research and for including it in the management plans of endangered Lepidoptera. We discuss the variety of molecular markers and tools available to researchers as well as guidance in implementing them. We provide a step-by-step guide for conducting tissue sampling, evaluating statistical concerns, and provide advice and troubleshooting tips. We review several case studies that have successfully used molecular data and incorporated the results into management plans. The chapter concludes with a summary of techniques, future directions, and lessons learned from conservation genetics study of Lepidoptera of conservation concern.