Factors shaping the abundance of two butterflies sharing resources and enemies across a biogeographic region
Data files
Dec 01, 2023 version files 2.13 MB
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climdata_sites.csv
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data_annual_abundance.csv
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data_parasitism.csv
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forest_cover.csv
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hostplant_cover.csv
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README.md
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relation_site_rclim_bioregion.csv
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transect_cord.csv
Abstract
Aim: Intra-specific variation in species relative abundance is shaped by a complex interplay of abiotic and biotic factors, making it both necessary and challenging to assess their combined relative importance in explaining variations across space and time. We used two congeneric butterfly species for which extensive count data and a deep understanding of their natural history are available to test three hypotheses explaining intra-specific variation in their abundance: (H1) seasonal dispersal behaviour driven by climate, (H2) resource availability, and (H3) apparent competition mediated via shared parasitoids.
Taxon: Gonepteryx rhamni (Brimstone) and G. cleopatra (Cleopatra).
Location: NE Iberian Peninsula, where both species coexist, and a nearby archipelago (Balearic Islands), where only Cleopatra occurs.
Methods: We analyzed spatial abundance variations for both species in the mainland and island-mainland differences in the abundance of Cleopatra. Abiotic and biotic factors, including temperature, host plant and overwintering habitat availability, larval parasitism and density dependence were tested to explain the observed variations.
Results: H1 can explain variation in butterfly abundance between mainland regions since in warmer summers populations increased in cooler areas but decreased in warmer areas. H2 explains the variation within mainland climate regions with a strong positive relationship between resource availability and abundance but is unlikely to explain the island-mainland variation in the abundance of Cleopatra. H3 could neither explain biogeographical variation in abundance because although richer parasitoid communities were found on the mainland, larval mortality rates were similar or lower on the mainland than in the islands.
Main conclusions: Climate and resource availability jointly account for variation in butterfly abundance across the mainland, but neither these factors nor parasitism can explain island-mailand differences. Both coexisting butterfly species and their larval parasitoids may have undergone evolutionary processes, resulting in spatial segregation that promotes the coexistence of the two butterfly species on the mainland.
README: Factors shaping the abundance of two butterflies sharing resources and enemies across a biogeographic region
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.8w9ghx3td
This collection of datasets pertains to ecological research focused on butterfly species and various factors influencing their abundance and parasitism rates. The data covers multiple sites, years, and bioregions, providing a comprehensive view of the ecological dynamics at play.
File Descriptions
1. climdata_sites.csv
- Description: Maximum temperature data of the study sites.
- Columns:
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SITE
: Identifier for the site. -
YEAR
: Year of data recording. -
MONTH
: Month of data recording. -
MAX_TEMP
: Maximum temperature recorded (degrees Celsius).
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2. data_annual_abundance.csv
- Description: Records the annual abundance and population growth of the two focal butterfly species.
Columns:
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SITE
: The site where the data was recorded. -
YEAR
: Year of data recording. -
RCLIM
: Regional climate identifier. -
ABUND_PIEGCL
: Abundance of Gonepteryx cleopatra -
ABUND_PIEGRH
: Abundance of Gonepteryx rhamni -
ABUND_PIEGSP
: Abundance of Gonepteryx sp. -
ABUND_PIEGCL_n_1
: Previous year's abundance of Gonepteryx cleopatra -
ABUND_PIEGRH_n_1
: Previous year's abundance of Gonepteryx rhamni -
ABUND_PIEGSP_n_1
: Previous year's abundance of species Gonepteryx sp. -
POPGRW_PIEGCL
: Population growth rate of Gonepteryx cleopatra POPGRW_PIEGRH
: Population growth rate of Gonepteryx rhamni*NA values signify that the abundance estimation for the specific combination of species, year, and climate region was not performed.
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3. data_parasitism.csv
- Description: Details on parasitism in butterfly larvae.
Columns:
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larval_stage
: The stage of the larva during data collection in the field. -
capture_date
: The date when the larva was captured in the field. -
year
: Year of data recording. -
site
: The site where the larva was captured. -
region
: The region where the site is located. -
larvae died
: Indicates if the larva died during rearing without being killed by a parasitoid. -
parasitized
: Indicates if the larva was parasitized. -
parasitoid_species
: Species of the parasitoid. butterfly_species
: Species of the butterfly.*NA values denote that the species could not be identified.
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4. forest_cover.csv
- Description: Provides information on forest cover in various study sites.
- Columns:
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SITE
: Identifier for the study site. -
FOREST_COVER
: Percentage of forest cover at the site (%). -
FOREST_COVER_ONE
: Per one of forest cover at the site.
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5. hostplant_cover.csv
- Description: Data regarding the cover of host plants (Rhamnus sp.) for butterflies.
Columns:
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SITE
: Identifier for the study site. -
HP_COVER
: Total m2 of host plant cover. -
DATE
: Date of observation. LONG_TRANSECT
: Transect longitude (m).*NA values indicate that forest cover was not measured.
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6. relation_site_rclim_bioregion.csv
- Description: Links study sites with regional climates and bioregions.
- Columns:
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SITE_ID
: Identifier for the study site. -
RCLIM
: Regional climate identifier linked to the site. -
BIOREGION
: Bioregion identifier linked to the site.
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7. transect_cord.csv
- Description: Contains geographic coordinates for transects at study sites.
- Columns:
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SITE
: Identifier for the study site. -
LON
: Longitude of the transect. -
LAT
: Latitude of the transect.
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Data Format
All data files are in CSV format. Please ensure that appropriate software or tools capable of reading this format are used (e.g., Microsoft Excel, R, Python Pandas library).
Additional Notes
- The data has been collected and processed with the utmost care. However, users are advised to independently verify the data for their specific use cases.
- We politely request that users cite this dataset and/or the associated publication in Journal of Biogeography.
- If you have any queries or require further clarification, please contact Pau Colom (pau.colom.montojo@gmail.com).
Sharing/Access information
All the information about the study sites and butterfly population numbers can be found in www.catalanbms.org