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Temperature-dependent alterations in host use drive rapid range expansion in a butterfly
Rachel M Pateman1, Jane K Hill, David B Roy
1Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK. rmp502@york.ac.uk
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 26, 2012
Summary
Climate change impacts species interactions, enabling butterflies to expand their range. Warmer temperatures allowed the Aricia agestis butterfly to use new host plants, facilitating rapid northward expansion.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Climate Change Biology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Species' responses to climate change are highly variable.
- Climate-driven alterations in interspecific interactions may explain this variability.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for predicting species' adaptive capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how temperature-related changes in plant-butterfly interactions affect species' range.
- To determine if altered host plant use by Aricia agestis has facilitated range expansion.
- To explore the role of interspecific interactions in species' climate change responses.
Main Methods:
- Documented historical and current host plant associations for Aricia agestis.
- Monitored changes in Aricia agestis distribution and abundance.
- Correlated range shifts with climatic data and host plant availability.
Main Results:
- Warmer temperatures have shifted Aricia agestis dependence from Helianthemum nummularium to Geranium molle.
- This shift has significantly increased available habitat for the butterfly.
- Aricia agestis has exhibited rapid northward range expansion (79 km in 20 years).
Conclusions:
- Temperature-dependent changes in interspecific interactions can facilitate, not just constrain, species' responses to climate change.
- Altered host plant use driven by climate change can lead to rapid range expansion.
- This highlights the importance of considering species interactions in climate change vulnerability assessments.
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