Erebia epiphron (KNOCH, 1783)

Habel, J., Ivinskis, P. & Schmitt, T., 2010, On The Limit Of Altitudinal Range Shifts - Population Genetics Of Relict Butterfly Populations, Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 56 (4), pp. 383-393 : 388-389

EXAMPLE: EREBIA EPIPHRON

Genetic structures within mountain archipelagos of Erebia epiphron

A study of allozyme polymorphisms of E. epiphron also distinguished several strongly differentiated genetic lineages in this species, calling for a variety of different glacial retreats and differentiation centres around and between the mountain systems of Europe. In contrast to L. helle , the strongly isolated populations from the Jesenik Mts in northern Moravia was grouped together with the northern Alpine lineage ( SCHMITT et al. 2006). The genetic constitutions of the other low-altitudinal mountain populations (e.g. Massif Central, Vosges) are still unknown for this species, but are suspected not to be endemic to these areas, as all of them are less isolated from other high mountain populations of the species than the Jesenik Mts.

Genetic constitution of Erebia epiphron in the Jesenik Mts

Nevertheless, E. epiphron shows a remarkable variability of genetic diversities in Jesenik Mts. Here, the species is quite common along the main ridge in a large, mostly continuous population, but is also found in an isolated but small area of subalpine grassland west of the main ridge separated from the ridge population by some four kilometres of forest. This small population has a strongly impoverished genetic diversity compared to that of the main ridge, and indications of degeneration such as partial albinisms of the wing coloration have been observed ( SCHMITT et al. 2005 a). Therefore, the genetic make-up maintained by this small population is apparently inadequate for its long-term survival.