Population Genetic Structure of a Rare Butterfly in a Fragmented South Florida Ecosystem

Abstract

We investigated the genetic structure and diversity between populations of a rare butterfly, the Florida duskywing (Ephyriades brunnea floridensis E. Bell and W. Comstock, 1948) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) across a network of South Florida pine rockland habitat fragments. Based on 81 individuals from seven populations and using multiple polymorphic microsatellite loci, our analyses support the presence of mainland Florida (peninsular) and Florida Keys (island) population groupings, with a moderate, asymmetrical gene flow connecting them, and the presence of private alleles providing unique identities to each. We additionally found that despite a prevalence in many Lepidoptera, the presence of Wolbachia was not identified in any of the samples screened. Our findings can be used to inform conservation and recovery decisions, including population monitoring, organism translocation, and priority areas for management, restoration or stepping-stone creation to help maintain the complex genetic structure of separate populations.