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Negative density-distribution relationship in butterflies.

Jussi Päivinen1, Alessandro Grapputo, Veijo Kaitala

  • 1Metsähallitus, Natural Heritage Services, P.O. Box 36, 40101 Jyväskylä, Finland. jussi.paivinen@metsa.fi <jussi.paivinen@metsa.fi>

BMC Biology
|March 2, 2005
PubMed
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In community ecology, abundant species are usually widespread. However, this study found a negative density-distribution relationship in Finnish butterflies, challenging this generalization.

Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Community Ecology
  • Biogeography

Background:

  • Community ecology often relies on statistical generalizations due to the absence of strict natural laws.
  • A common generalization is the positive density-distribution relationship: locally abundant species tend to be more widespread.
  • Testing the mechanisms behind this relationship is a growing area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the density-distribution relationship in the butterfly fauna of Finland.
  • To empirically test proposed mechanisms that generate positive density-distribution relationships.
  • To determine if a negative relationship exists and explore its underlying causes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a comprehensive dataset encompassing all 95 resident butterfly species in Finland.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analyzed over 1.5 million individual butterfly records.
  • Conducted direct empirical testing of proposed mechanisms for density-distribution relationships.

    • Main Results:

    • Observed a strong, counterintuitive negative relationship between species density and distribution.
    • Found no evidence supporting mechanisms that create a positive density-distribution relationship.
    • Demonstrated that several proposed mechanisms can equally generate a negative relationship.

    Conclusions:

    • Geographical location, specifically being at the edge of a species' distribution range, is a key determinant.
    • At range edges, isolated, high-quality habitats may support dense populations, leading to a negative relationship.
    • Generalizations about positive density-distribution relationships should be made with greater caution.