Ukrainian Butterflies from "ALEXANOR"
(Company for Scientific Implementation, CFSI)
S c i e n t i f i c.....P r o j e c t:
Long - Term Monitoring of Papilionoidea & Hesperioidea (Lepidoptera, Insecta) Populations of West Ukraine: Objectives, Methods and Discussion of Results
Introduction
Monitoring (see Latin "monitor" - reminiscent, supervising) is nothing else but the observing some objects or phenomena, and being applied to environment it is a combined system of observations, assessment prognosis of environment condition changes under the anthropogenic and climate influence. The quantity control of environment is not included into its tasks. But the proper organization of such control which includes both local and global works is possible only with the functioning monitoring. Biological monitoring provides biological objects registration: presence of species, their numbers, migrations, etc.
Objectives
Unfortunately the whole growing increase of human activity in natural environment results in loss of many of its components. The loss of biological species will result in the consequences, which will have negatively effect on human welfare in future. However, the measures needed to protect biological diversity may prove difficult to achieve, given the very broad array of human activities that cause extinctions: clearing land for agriculture or settlements, using chemicals that unexpectedly kill various species, draining swamps and other wetlands, disposing of various wastes, and many others (e.g. butterflies are very demanding where their environment is concerned. The demands a caterpillar makes of its environment differ considerably from those of a butterfly. For this reason butterfly-populations are sensitive to a wide range of changes in their environment). Now, we are concerned in preservation of biological diversity of Europe and especially in West Ukraine (Investigated territory of West Ukraine in Europe) - in these natural places, which have been not yet affected by economic activity and the control of the biological species safety has not been supported by the authorities yet. The Biodiversity Treaty (opened for signing at the Earth Summit in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro) has as its major objectives the conservation of the diverse biological resources of the Earth, and their sustainable use; equitable sharing of the benefits arising from use of genetic resources; and appropriate transfer of relevant technologies. Among the commitments made by the parties are: to develop national strategies for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; to identify and monitor the components of biodiversity, to establish the protected areas where special measures are needed; and to promote protection of ecosystems and natural habitats [2]. Biodiversity is investigated by studying the distribution and the abundance of species over a certain area. This will determine the places with a high biodiversity. Monitoring can be used to measure changes in biodiversity.
Materials and methods
Extensive information on original materials is the basis of the studies (more than 1XX XXX registered imago individuals (butterfly adults) from more than XXX butterfly sites of West Ukraine, Dot map of butterfly sites in the investigated area). At least 150 bibliographic sources have been studied to obtain the historic information. The information about 4517 imago samples of Hesperioidea & Papilionoidea has been taken from these sources. Collecting of entomological material was carried out in accordance with the generally accepted methods by air butterfly-net of 35 cm in diameter. The registration of Rhopalocera species protected by law, was carried out by visual route method without capturing. The search of imago was carried out with regard to ecological peculiarities of these insects: on the flowers of herbaceous and wood plants, on heated substrate, on humid soil of the roads in hot weather. Butterflies were captured and registered by transect method [3.1.] in different time of the day on the glades, meadows, rock fields, forest edges, forest roads and other localities and secondary biotops. The registration of Rhopalocera imago in different biotops in natural zones [3] of West Ukraine (Natural zones of West Ukraine) was carried out in respect of time on model routes, monotoring sites or transects (number is 1XX) with periodicity of once a week, every 20 days, quarter of a year and once every half of a year. The identification of material was carried out in accordance with collection funds of the Institute of Zoology of Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and with determination keys guides [4,7,8]. In case of necessity the preparations of male genital structures were made and compared with typical samples of such structures in the literary sources. The synonimic catalogue of V. Kirby was used [5] to state current scientific names of the species. The main fields of WUKRBIBL.DBF data base are the Latin denomination of the species, used by the author, the author of the publication, the year of publication, pages, species name (in case it does not concede with the current name), built-up area or district, altitude, geographic coordinates (northern latitude and eastern longitude, in degrees and minutes), date and month of imago flight, biotop and Latin name of food plant f or caterpillars. In WUKRECO.DBF data base the original data of species registration in nature are given: date, month and year of registration, number of individuals, registration place, geographic co-ordinates, altitude, mountain slope direction or locality relief, initial time and the end of registration in model route biotop, short description.
Discussion of Results
Biological monitoring of day butterflies-indicators make it possible to fix the ecological condition of the studied landscapes with regard to time. Ecological peculiarities and life mode of these insects include the passing of the complete cycle of development - form an egg to imago. Every stage has its different ecological niche as well as specific place in the nutrition chain. The preliminary analysis of our studies shows that the natural safety of the ecological niches influences directly the state of butterflies populations [9,10]. Within 1858-1949 in this area more than 150 Rhopalocera species were known. Now, since 1973 at least than 130 species have been found (Parnassius apollo L., Colias phicomone Esp., Hyponephele lupina Costa, Erebia pronoe Esp. and others have not been registered). At the same time the appearance of nine new and not enough known species in Transcarpathian fauna Colias erate Esp. (Pieridae); Vacciniina optilete Knoch, Lycaena helle D. & S., Thersamonia thersamon Esp., Everes decoloratus Stgr., Maculinea alcon (Lycaenidae); Euphydryas maturna L., Boloria eunomia Esp. (Nymphalidae); Brintesia circe F. (Satyridae) since 1992. One new species in West Ukraine (Polyommatus amanda Schn.) were registered. The important result of the studies is the fact that the complex of a high number of Rhopalocera species with approximately equalized numbers of individuals in the populations is included in to the natural environment with primary flora and fauna. Several species with high numbers can be often singled out (Colias, Pieris, Polyommatus, Polygonia, Melitaea genus species) in the fauna composition of the natural environment influenced by anthropogenic transformation (active forms of economy). Other species are oppressed, their number is considerably reduced (rare and very rare, as a rule stenobiont species). The main key moment of that studies is that one of the indices of natural balance is the correlation of anthropogenic abundance (accompanying to man) and natural species (originally evolving in a certain landscape or native species). In an unfavorable (extreme) ecological situation there is a small group (approximately 10-20% of the studied group fauna composition ) of progressing species (Pieridae), which have positive response to the anthropogenic environment processes. They make the background and determine the quantitative composition and type of an animal population. It does not mean that all the other rare species, the number of which is larger (70-90% of the studied group specific composition) have no economic importance; but it determine the biodiversity, the most important aspect of natural association structure prosperity. The base of efficient obtaining of such ecological faunistic information is at present the already known extensive compatible data bases [1, 6]. We have created WUKRECO.DBF compatible data base that includes more than 30.000 records according to the original data. WUKRBIBL.DBF bank of published data carried out. This base fields contain historical information on every Rhopalocera species of the studied area (more than 5.000 records). The resulting definitive data bases will underpin future recovery plans for butterflies identified as being at risk of serious loss or extinction. This will be a vital tool for the conservation of these species. Practically the work of our data bases is programmed and can meet any requirements of a user within of preserved standard information. Species data can be added and given in the dependence graphs- Figures (data of Errynes tages L.); - photos 1-3 of Errynes tages L.;
Photo 1.Errynnis tages L. on Equisetum sp.
Photo 2.Errynnis tages L.on wet grass
Photo 3.Errynnis tages L. on Sanguisorba sp.
- catalogues, indices and can be used for dotty mapping of Rhopalocera areals (Distribution map of Errynnis tages L.).
References:
1. Calejo J., Regil F.A., Vaamonde J. NEOTROREG.DBF: un archivo informacio para la coleopterofauna acuatica de la Region Neotropical. Int. Congr. Coleopterol., Barcelona, Sept. 18- 23, 1989: Abstr. Vol.. - Barcelona, 1989., p.97.
2. Fletcher S. R., International Environment: Current Major Global Treaties. Summary. Congressional Research Service Report for Congress. November 5, 1996. Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division 96-884 ENR. Washington, 1996:1.
3. Geographical encyclopaedia of the Ukraine. "Ukrainian Soviet Encyclopaedia", Kiev, 1990; vol. 2; 480 pp.
4. Higgins L. G. , Riley N. D. Die Tagfalter Europas und Nordwestafrikas. Verlag Paul Parey. Hamburg und Berlin. 1978; 378 p.
5. KIrby W. F. A synonymic catalogue of diurnal Lepidoptera. John van Voorst. R. Friedlander & Son. London & Berlin. 1871; 690 p.
6. Müller-Motzfeld G. Aufgaben und Moglichkeiten der Computerfaunistik. Entomol. Nachr. und. Ber. 1990; 34; 5:215-222.
7. Nekrutenko Y. P. The Rhopalocera of the Crimea. Kiev. Naukova dumka. 1985; 123 figs., 24 col. pl., 152 p.
8. Nekrutenko Y. P. The day butterflies of the Caucasus. Papilionidae, Pieridae, Satyridae, Danaidae. Kiev. Naukova dumka. 1990; 106 draw., 32 col. pl.,215 p.
9. Popov S. G. On the organization of the RHOPALOCERA (LEPIDOPTERA) monitoring in the Ukrainian Carpathians and in neighboring areas. Materials Int. conference "The East Carpathians fauna: its present and prospects of preservation". Uzhgorod, 13-16 september. Uzhorod, 1993: 227-228.
10. Popov, S. G. Biological monitoring of Rhopalocera (Insecta: Lepidoptera) populations on Ukrainian Carnathian mountains and its computer processing. 7th European Ecological Congress: "Ecological Processes: Current Status and Perspectives". Abstracts. Edited by A. Demeter & L. Peregovits. Hungarian Biologocal Society, Budapest, 1995; p. 134.
11. Popov, S. G. Long - Term Monitoring of Papilionoidea & Hesperioidea (Lepidoptera, Insecta) Populations of West Ukraine: Objectives, Methods and Discussion of Results .Proceedings of the international regional seminar "Environment protection: modern studies in ecology and microbiology". May 13-16, 1997 Ukraine Uzhgorod, 1997, I, p. 252-257.
12. Popov, S. G. Threatened European butterflies in Transcarpathia (Ukraine): genus Maculinea van Ecke 1915. A Magyar Tud. Akad. Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg Megyi Tud. Test. 9. kozg. egy. Tud. Ules. Eload.-Osszefoglaloi. Nyiregyhaza, 2000, old. 27. [In English].
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*A list of butterflies with more than a hundred species for SW Ukraine with their scientific, English, German, Hungarian, Russian and Ukrainian names is available.
*Bibliography. Information on literature sources about butterflies in SW Ukraine territory is available.
This page was created for "ALEXANOR" (Company for Scientific Implementation )
by S.G. Popov (Last update January, 12 2014)
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