Population structure in the small ermine moth Yponomeuta padelus: an estimate of male dispersal |
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Authors: | MARTIN I BROOKES ROGER K BUTLIN |
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Institution: | School of Pure and Applied Biology, University of Wales College of Cardiff, and Department of Genetics and Biometry, University College London |
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Abstract: | Abstract. - 1 An extensive investigation was carried out into the structure of a large, effectively continuous population of Yponomeuta padellus Latreille, feeding on hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna, and blackthorn, Prunus spinosa.
- 2 Mark—recapture studies were used to obtain direct estimates of the male dispersal rate, σ, in two successive years.
- 3 Dispersal was found to be extremely localized with respect to the total area of the study population. Estimates of u ranged from a minimum of 2.47 m to a maximum of 12.5 m.
- 4 Limited dispersal could be an important factor governing the genetic differentiation of Y.padellus populations, and its implications for the supposed existence of host races in this species are discussed.
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Keywords: | Dispersal gene flow neighbourhood size population structure host races |
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