植被覆盖度和土地利用对高原鼠兔觅食与警戒行为的影响

野生动物的自然行为受当地家畜影响。作为与家畜共享一个栖息地、并具有挖掘行为的兔形目高原鼠兔,其行为也受当地高原家畜影响。本文采用了Poisson回归分析方法,确定牦牛、不同土地利用对高原鼠兔行为频次的影响。结果显示觅食、移动频次是高原鼠兔的主要行为频次。在冬季牦牛觅食地高原鼠兔觅食行为频次高于警戒行为频次。相反,在夏季,无论是在牦牛觅食地还是在其夜宿地,高原鼠兔警戒行为的频次高于觅食行为频次。高原鼠兔行为也受不同土地利用、植被覆盖度以及季节因素的影响。植被覆盖度与觅食频次成反比,植被覆盖度高的生境高原鼠兔觅食较少,相反,植被覆盖度较低生境觅食行为频繁。另外当前牧民的定居化趋势造成局域放牧过度,加速了土地荒漠化。因此本文也认为,季节性传统游牧模式对于草地可持续发展具有重要意义。     

利用无线电技术对达乌尔鼠兔巢区的研究

达乌尔鼠兔是内蒙古草原斑块分布的一种害鼠。它们在斑块间的扩散对其种群调节和进化都有重要意义。文章对两个家族的达乌尔鼠兔进行了无线电遥测研究。它们的巢区面积从3138M²到17062M²,核心区面积从1292M²到7808M²。雄性—雌性巢区重叠面积比雌性—雌性巢区重叠面积大。该鼠的扩散和探索距离可达 200m.从9月开始鼠兔的活动就很活跃,尤其是探索活动和扩散。多数扩散个体在移居点很快消失。     

高原鼠兔洞穴数量与其栖息地植被分布格局的GIS分析

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)是青藏高原高寒草甸生态系统的关键种,其生境利用特征对高寒草甸植被保护的影响一直是重要的研究内容.我们于2008年9月在四川省石渠县云波沟面积为44 km2的研究区域内进行了高原鼠兔有效洞穴数量样线调查.该地区一直以来放牧压力较小,2006年起执行国家西部退牧还草政策后.放牧完全停止.调查期间共完成样线7条,总长度19 km,获得取样单元2,423个.根据中巴资源2号卫星2008年9月18日拍摄的遥感图像计算并提取研究区域归一化植被指数(normalized difference vegetation index,NDVI)数据.利用石渠县地形数字地图建立数字高程模型计算坡度.用Bonferroni z检验比较取样单元内鼠兔洞穴数量与NDVI以及洞穴数量与坡度间的相互关系发现:NDVI值较低区间(0.1-0.3)内鼠兔洞穴数量显著低于理论预期值,中等NDVI值区间(0.3-0.4)内鼠兔洞穴的数量与理论值没有显著差异,而NDVI值较高区间(0.4-0.6)内,鼠兔洞穴的数量显著高于理论预期.回归分析结果表明:NDVI与洞穴数有显著正相关的线性回归关系y=16.50x+0.87(R2=0.78,P<0.001);鼠兔有效洞穴数量和坡度没有显著的线性关系(R2=0.04,P=0.441).因此,我们认为在无家畜竞争的自然环境中,栖息地植被的质量是影响高原鼠兔空间分布的重要因素.高原鼠兔有选择地利用植被较好的生境而避免使用植被过度退化的生境,这种利用方式在客观上防止了栖息地植被的过度破坏.     

高寒草甸地区小哺乳动物群落多样性的初步研究

高寒苹甸地区的人工草场、半人工草场、次生杂类草草场和撩荒地中共有4个小哺乳类群落;根田鼠+高原鼢鼠群落;根田鼠+甘肃鼠兔群落;高原鼠兔+高原鼢鼠群落;长尾仓鼠+高原鼠兔群落。小哺乳类群落种的多样性与植物群落种的多样性无显著相关关系,而与植被的高度、盖度呈显著负相关关系。高原鼢鼠是各生境中的广布种。根田鼠与甘肃鼠兔在植被郁闭度高的环境中为群落的主要组成者;植被郁闭度低的环境中,高原鼠兔和长尾仓鼠是群落的主要成员。它们的空间格局主要反映空间环境条件的差异。     

高原鼠兔跑道对高寒草甸退化斑块扩大与连通的影响

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)的活动会在退化高寒草甸草地上形成退化斑块,退化斑块的连通会导致高寒草甸破碎化,对高寒草甸完整性造成严重影响。本研究使用无人机拍摄不同刈割强度和鼠兔密度处理下高寒草甸图像,解译出退化斑块和高原鼠兔跑道。从地理信息系统中获得退化斑块面积信息,计算跑道连通性指数,识别高原鼠兔跑道在高寒草甸退化过程中的作用,确定高原鼠兔干扰活动对高寒草甸影响的临界条件。结果表明:高密度高原鼠兔处理的鼠兔跑道数显著增加(P0.05);退化斑块面积增量与连通性指数呈显著正相关(P0.05);高原鼠兔洞口数对鼠兔密度的处理不敏感(P0.05);随着退化斑块面积的增加,高原鼠兔洞口数显著减少(P0.05),高原鼠兔跑道连通性指数呈抛物线变化;高原鼠兔跑道是导致高寒草甸退化斑块扩大的原因之一,也会加速高寒草甸退化斑块的连通;当退化斑块面积达到临界值21%时,高寒草甸破碎化程度加剧。     

四川西北高原藏狐的夏季微生境选择

生境选择是动物的重要行为 ,近年来我国学者在该方面做了大量的工作。王梦军等[1] 通过调控牧压研究了达乌尔鼠兔 (Ochotonadauricus)扩散过程中的生境选择 ;姜兆文等[2 ] 采用雪地足迹跟踪法研究了紫貂 (Marteszibellina)冬季生境选择 ;张洪海等[3 ] 用无线电跟踪技术和全球定位系统对紫貂春季和夏季的生境选择进行了研究 ,但比较多的是引入一些选择指数和数学模型 ,使研究更为便捷 ,结果更为直观 ,如 :vanderplaeg和scavia系数[4～ 6] 、栖息地生境偏爱指数PI[7] 、数量化理论[8] 、聚类分析[9] 等。藏狐 (Vulpesferrilata)是青藏高原特…     

漫湾库区景观破碎化对区域生境质量的影响

水利工程的建设不仅改变了库区的景观格局,还会导致区域生物生境质量的变化。以澜沧江漫湾库区为例,在综合海拔高度、植被类型和水源地距离生境因子的基础上,考虑生物扩散过程,研究了建坝前后整个库区以及典型研究小区(库首、库中、库尾、对照)的重要生境斑块空间分布变化。结果表明:漫湾水电站建成后库区的猕猴总体生境破碎化程度增加,景观连接度减少且重要生境斑块的比例也有所降低,生境质量整体下降;4个研究小区的景观格局变化情况同整个库区相一致。空间上,生境质量明显退化的地区主要分布在库区的西部和南部,尤其是库尾地区,其生境斑块数量相较于建坝前增长了9倍,而景观连接度指数下降了81.48%。回归分析结果表明景观连接度指数与占景观面积百分比指数(PLAND)呈显著正相关(R~2=0.973),与斑块数(NP)呈显著负相关(R~2=-0.611);肯德尔系数表明斑块数(NP)、最大斑块指数(LPI)、占景观百分比指数(PLAND)、相似邻近百分比指数(PLADJ)、连通度指数(CONNECT)和香农多样性指数(SHDI)7个景观格局指数与景观连接度指数均表现出显著一致性。由此看出,库区景观破碎化越严重、区域景观连接度越低生境质量退化越明显;而提高生境主要植被类型的覆盖率、保护连接度贡献大的重要斑块和建设生态廊道,可以有效恢复库区生物生境质量。     

高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠种群暴发区干扰斑块空间分布格局与演替规律

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)和高原鼢鼠(Myospalax baileyi)是两种在高寒草甸广泛分布的小型哺乳动物,其暴发活动可能造成高寒草甸的严重退化。使用无人机分别拍摄典型的高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠种群暴发区图像,解译高原鼠兔洞口、高原鼢鼠土丘和它们的干扰斑块,获得干扰斑块的周长和面积信息,计算干扰斑块形状指标,确定高原鼠兔与高原鼢鼠暴发活动对高寒草甸的影响。研究表明：(1)高原鼠兔与高原鼢鼠暴发活动形成的干扰斑块周长与面积比(PARA)、形状指数(SHAPE)和分形维数(FRAC)差异显著(P<0.05),其中高原鼢鼠斑块的FRAC是1.0124±0.0091,属于普通的规则几何圆形分布格局,高原鼠兔斑块的FRAC是1.1203±0.0546,属于分形几何不规则的分布格局。(2)高原鼠兔洞口数量与其斑块面积没有线性相关关系(P=0.9677),高原鼢鼠土丘数量与其斑块面积呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。(3)高原鼢鼠斑块面积统计学上呈长尾分布,不符合正态分布(P<0.01)。根据高原鼠兔斑块面积分布格局可将斑块演替分为三个阶段：土丘形成阶段、斑块连通...     

内蒙古达赉湖地区赤狐生境选择及生境景观特征分析

近年来,干旱、鼠害及人为对草原的过度开发利用等对达赉湖地区赤狐的数量及分布范围造成了很大影响。借助于主成分分析、Bailey’s判别分析、遥感和地理信息系统对达赉湖自然保护区赤狐的生境选择及生境的景观特征进行了研究。在赤狐家域内采用样线法和样方法,共设置10 m×10 m样方245个(实验样方101个,对照样方144个),并测定样方内的7个生境因子:植被类型、隐蔽级、食物丰富度、雪深、距水源距离、距围栏距离、距居民点距离。对样方内数据进行主成分分析得出,食物和隐蔽性是赤狐生境选择的主要因子,距居民点距离和距围栏距离是赤狐生境选择的次要因子,雪深和距水源距离是赤狐在生境选择中未表现出选择和利用的因子。利用Bailey’s方法和基于赤狐的生境分布图的景观统计得出:赤狐偏好选择柳灌丛和芦苇塘两种生境,这两种生境的总面积约为1093.47 km2,占研究区总面积的14.05%;赤狐随机利用河道、典型草原和草甸草原3种生境类型,这3种生境的总面积约为4721.79 km2,占研究区总面积的60.67%。;回避的生境为冰面和沙化草地,总面积约为1968.09 km2,占研究区总面积的25.29%。基于地理信息系统和Fragstats的景观特征分析得出,赤狐最适宜生境的面积最少,斑块数量最多,平均斑块面积最小,平均形状指数最小,平均斑块距离最大;其次是较适宜生境和不适宜生境;一般适宜生境的面积最多,斑块数量最少,平均斑块面积和平均形状指数最大,平均斑块距离最小。赤狐多分布于斑块较大的适宜其生存的生境或分布于由这些斑块形成的生境斑块镶嵌体中。     

贵州草海国家级自然保护区小??巢址生境选择

为探究高寒湿地生态系统中小??Tachybaptus ruficollis巢址选择的影响因子,于2013年和2015年的4月29日—5月6日2次对贵州草海国家级自然保护区内的小??巢址和食物进行了调查。设置A区和B区,其中又划分为巢址斑块和对照斑块。以巢址为中心,记录巢址样方(1 m×1 m)和对照样方的生境因子并进行比较。结果表明:巢址样方的最高植物高度和离岸距离均显著大于对照样方。对巢址样方及其所在斑块共14个生境因子的特征进行主成分分析,结果表明:小??偏爱在植被植株较高、密度稀疏、矮小植株数量少的小斑块生境中营巢。食物丰富的区域小??巢穴数量多。该研究对小??物种保护有实践意义,对丰富高寒湿地生态系统鸟类巢址生境选择有理论意义。     

Multilevel phenotypic selection on morphological characters in a metapopulation of Silene tatarica

This study partitions selection in a natural metapopulation of a riparian plant species, Silene tatarica, into individual- and patch-level components by using contextual analysis, in which a patch refers to a spatially distinct stand of individual plants. We estimated selection gradients for two morphological characters (plant height and number of stems), their respective patch means, and plant density with respect to reproductive success in a two-year study. The approach was also extended to partition selection separately within habitats with varying degrees of exposure to river disturbances and herbivory. The selection differentials and gradients for plant height were positive at both individual and patch levels, with selection forces highest in the closed habitat with low exposure to disturbance. This pattern suggests that local groups with taller than average plants are more visible to pollinators than to groups that are shorter than average plants; and, within patches, individuals with short stature are visited less often than taller ones. Selection on the number of stems was in opposition at individual and patch levels. At the individual level the character was selected toward higher values, whereas selection at the patch-level favored smaller mean number of stems. The strength of the latter component was associated with the intensity of herbivory in different habitats, suggesting that the patch-level selection against a large number of stems might be due to high attractiveness of such patches to the main herbivore, reindeer. Consequently, direction and strength of selection in spatially structured populations may depend significantly on fitness effects arising at the group level.     

The effect of habitat fragmentation on dispersal patterns, mating behavior, and genetic variation in a pika (Ochotona princeps) metapopulation

 Habitat fragmentation is becoming increasingly common, yet, the effect of habitat spatial structure on population dynamics remains undetermined for most species. Populations of a single species found in fragmented and nonfragmented habitat present a rare opportunity to examine the effect of habitat spatial structure on population dynamics. This study investigates the impact of highly fragmented habitat on dispersal patterns, mating behavior, and genetic variation in a pika (Ochotona princeps) population with a mainland-island spatial structure. Juvenile dispersal patterns in fragmented habitat revealed that individuals tended to disperse to neighboring habitat patches. However, within-patch band-sharing scores from multilocus DNA fingerprints did not differ from what would be expected if individuals were assorting randomly among habitat patches each year. Multiple, short-distance dispersal targets for juveniles and occasional long-distance dispersal events suggest that habitat fragmentation on this scale has not resulted in restricted dispersal and a genetically subdivided population. Although pikas tended to mate with the closest available partner, DNA fingerprinting band-sharing scores between mated pairs were consistent with a random mating hypothesis. Random mating in this population appears to be an incidental effect of dispersal in a fragmented habitat. This pattern is distinct from that found in nonfragmented habitat (large talus patches) where mating was non-random and consistent with mating between individuals of intermediate relatedness. DNA fingerprinting data revealed within-species variation in the mating habits of the pika directly attributable to habitat spatial structure. Received: 4 November 1996 / Accepted: 30 June 1997     

Disparate determinants of summer and winter diet selection of a generalist herbivore,Ochotona princeps

The North American pika, Ochotona princeps, is a generalist herbivore that simultaneously selects two distinct diets: one consumed immediately (summer diet), the other harvested, transported, and stored for later consumption (winter diet). I investigated factors influencing diet selection at two sites on the West Knoll of Niwot Ridge, Boulder County, Colorado during 1991 and 1992. The composition of summer and winter diets differed significantly from each other as well as from the relative abundance of food items in the environment. Thus, pikas were not foraging randomly for either diet. To explore winter and summer diet selection, I tested two existing hypotheses: (1) that plant morphology restricts the winter diet breadth to plants that are easily harvested and large, and thereby maximizes the amount collected per foraging effort, or (2) to compensate for nutrients lost during storage, pikas bias their winter diet with high-nutrient species. I also tested the hypothesis that plant secondary compounds may be higher in the winter diet either because they function as preservatives or because pikas delay consumption of these species until the toxins degrade. For individual dietary items, I measured energy, nitrogen, water, fiber, total phenolic, condensed tannin, and astringency contents. There was little evidence to suggest that morphology excluded plants from the winter diet. Plant size was not a good predictor of abundance in the winter diet. Even after harvesting costs had been experimentally removed, cushion plants were still not included in the winter diet. There was weak support for an effect of nutrients on winter diet selection; in three of four cases, the winter diet was significantly lower in water and higher in total energy content as predicted by the nutrient compensation hypothesis. However, other nutrients exhibited no consistent pattern. Nutrients were not reliable predictors of the winter diet in multiple regression analyses. There was strong support for the hypothesis of manipulation of secondary compounds. The winter diet was significantly higher in total phenolics and astringency. Total phenolics were consistent predictors of the winter diet in multiple regression analyses. The winter diets of six additional pika populations contained plant species high in secondary compounds. The results suggest that pikas preferentially select plants with high levels of secondary compounds for their winter diet, possibly because the presence of such compounds promotes preservation of the cache. This behavior may also enable the exploitation of an otherwise unusable food resource, i.e., toxic plants.     

Through the taste buds of a large herbivore: foodscape modeling contributes to an understanding of forage selection processes

How large herbivores track resource quantity and quality through time has formed the core of an abundance of literature on migratory populations in recent decades. Yet, relating foraging processes and habitat selection patterns in resident populations, where spatial heterogeneity of food resources is fine-grained and/or where the portion of edible plants (i.e. the foodscape) is low, is challenging. We addressed this issue in a mountain population of chamois Rupicapra rupicapra, an intermediate feeder, whose individuals do not migrate. We relied on a rare combination of data on habitat use of 50 GPS-collared females and data on the quantity (biomass) and quality (phenology) of edible resources in their landscape, derived from field sampling of vegetation, remote sensing and diet (DNA barcoding). The foodscape of the chamois was composed of a low proportion of the available biomass (<18%), including relatively high-quality plants, with low spatial covariation between plant phenology and biomass. Chamois avoided areas with a low edible biomass (where the intake rate may be too low) and focused on areas with plants at approximately the flowering stage, whatever the average plant phenological stage available. Due to this constant preference for flowering plants, home range selection ratios therefore shifted during the summer from a selection of more advanced plants in June to their avoidance in August. When the phenology scores of all plants available, rather than edible plants only, were considered, areas with relatively more advanced plants were selected all summer long. This exemplifies that, when traits from edible plants are different from those of all plants available, it is crucial to consider the actual foodscape to decipher forage and habitat selection processes. By integrating species-specific dimensions of resources in habitat selection studies, we believe understanding of the foraging processes will be improved.     

高原鼠兔血清无机元素含量的分析

测定分析了高原鼠兔血清电解质、无机元素、血清铁和总铁结合力, 并与人和其它实验动物的相应指标进行了比较。得出以下主要结论: 1.高原鼠兔血清电解质浓度不受生活环境和食物条件的影响, 其机体能自身调节血清离子浓度, 以维持电解质在血液中的相对衡定; 2.高原鼠兔血清铁含量与其栖息地海拔相关, 随海拔升高血清铁含量增加; 3.高原鼠兔通过增加运铁蛋白与铁的结合力作为适应高原低氧环境的方式之一。     

高寒草甸不同扰动斑块植物功能群和根土复合体特征变化研究

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)活动在高寒草甸上会形成各种类型扰动斑块, 扰动斑块类型的转变是导致草地退化的原因之一。目前, 斑块类型发生转变的关键影响因子尚不清楚, 因此, 对高寒草甸活动斑块、非活动斑块和恢复斑块三个扰动斑块类型植物功能类群结构、根土复合体特征和斑块分布特征进行研究, 旨在探讨斑块类型发生转变的主要因子, 说明高寒草甸退化机理。研究结果表明, 高寒草甸中活动斑块土壤表层由于放牧和高原鼠兔活动扰动强度大, 无法形成稳定的植物群落, 非活动斑块的植物群落处于次生演替早期阶段, 但是恢复斑块已具备高寒草甸优势种莎草科植物生长的基本条件。退化高寒草甸中活动斑块与非活动斑块呈现镶嵌性分布, 而恢复斑块相对独立没有镶嵌性分布现象。造成高寒草甸干扰斑块类型转变的主要原因是高原鼠兔活动强度由间歇性干扰转变为持续干扰的结果。     

Relating Sub-Surface Ice Features to Physiological Stress in a Climate Sensitive Mammal,the American Pika (Ochotona princeps)

The American pika (Ochotona princeps) is considered a sentinel species for detecting ecological effects of climate change. Pikas are declining within a large portion of their range, and ongoing research suggests loss of sub-surface ice as a mechanism. However, no studies have demonstrated physiological responses of pikas to sub-surface ice features. Here we present the first analysis of physiological stress in pikas living in and adjacent to habitats underlain by ice. Fresh fecal samples were collected non-invasively from two adjacent sites in the Rocky Mountains (one with sub-surface ice and one without) and analyzed for glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM). We also measured sub-surface microclimates in each habitat. Results indicate lower GCM concentration in sites with sub-surface ice, suggesting that pikas are less stressed in favorable microclimates resulting from sub-surface ice features. GCM response was well predicted by habitat characteristics associated with sub-surface ice features, such as lower mean summer temperatures. These results suggest that pikas inhabiting areas without sub-surface ice features are experiencing higher levels of physiological stress and may be more susceptible to changing climates. Although post-deposition environmental effects can confound analyses based on fecal GCM, we found no evidence for such effects in this study. Sub-surface ice features are key to water cycling and storage and will likely represent an increasingly important component of water resources in a warming climate. Fecal samples collected from additional watersheds as part of current pika monitoring programs could be used to further characterize relationships between pika stress and sub-surface ice features.     

植物次生代谢物含量的季节性变化及其对高原鼠兔食物选择的影响

2008 年6 ～9 月在中国科学院海北高寒草甸生态系统定位站通过自助餐式食物选择实验测定了高原鼠兔对20 种植物的取食量,采用紫外可见分光光度计法测定了不同季节20 种植物中黄酮、缩合单宁、简单酚和总酚4种植物次生代谢物的含量,分析了植物次生代谢物含量与高原鼠兔食物选择之间的相互关系。结果表明,在选定的20 种植物中高原鼠兔喜食的植物有7 种,可食的植物有7 种,厌食的植物有6 种。植物次生代谢物的含量在不同的植物间表现出一定的差异,且有生长季节早期含量低,随后逐渐增高的季节性变化趋势。高原鼠兔对植物的选择性与植物中黄酮含量有显著的负相关性,喜食植物的黄酮含量显著低于厌食植物,喜食植物的单宁含量显著小于可食植物,可食植物的单宁含量显著大于厌食植物。在喜食植物中,高原鼠兔取食量与简单酚和总酚含量呈显著负相关性。以上结果部分验证了植物次生代谢物作为植物的防御对策明显影响高原鼠兔对食物选择的假说。黄酮类次生代谢物明显抑制高原鼠兔的取食,缩合单宁对高原鼠兔食物选择也有一定的抑制作用,高原鼠兔有少量取食但避免大量取食简单酚和总酚含量高的植物的选择策略。     

高原鼠兔在不同植被覆盖的立地占据、局部灭绝和建群率研究

青藏高原的草地生态系统被野生动物和家畜广泛地利用。大型有蹄类动物的放牧和小型哺乳类动物的挖掘行为,会改变其栖息地的植物群落。基于拉萨市墨竹工卡县日多镇年村牦牛(Bos grunniens)放牧的实践,我们发现高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)立地占域率、建群和区域灭绝率与栖息地变量之间存在一定的格局关系。为了了解高原鼠兔立地占域率、建群和区域灭绝率与栖息地之间的关系,我们采用多季节性立地占据模型,利用Presence软件对相关数据进行分析。结果表明,高原鼠兔局部灭绝率与植被覆盖度之间存在正相关性,而与建群率之间则呈负相关性。     

The larval ecology of the butterfly Euphydryas desfontainii (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in SW-Portugal: food plant quantity and quality as main predictors of habitat quality

Corresponding to theory, the persistence of metapopulations in fragmented landscapes depends on the area of suitable habitat patches and their degree of isolation, mediating the individual exchange between habitats. More recently, habitat quality has been highlighted as being equally important. We therefore assess the role of habitat area, isolation and quality for the occupancy of larval stages of the regionally threatened butterfly Euphydryas desfontainii occurring in grassland habitats comprising the host plant Dipsascus comosus. We put a special focus on habitat quality which was determined on two spatial scales: the landscape (among patches) and the within-patch level. On the landscape level, occupancy of caterpillars was determined by a presence-absence analysis at 28 host plant patches. On the within-patch level, oviposition site selection was studied by comparing 159 host plants with egg clutches to a random sample of 253 unoccupied host plants within six habitat patches. The occupancy of caterpillars and presence of egg clutches on host plants was then related to several predictors such as patch size and isolation on the landscape level and host plant characteristics and immediate surroundings on the within patch level. On the landscape level, only host plant abundance was related to the presence of caterpillars, while size and isolation did not differ between occupied and unoccupied patches. However, the weak discrimination of larval stages among patches changed on the within-patch level: here, several microclimatic predictors such as sunshine hours and topography, host plant morphology and phenology as well as further potential host plants in the immediate surroundings of the plant chosen for oviposition strongly determined the presence of egg clutches. We strongly suggest promoting the presence of the host plant in topographically and structurally rich habitat patches to offer potential for microclimatic compensation for a species considered threatened by climate change.