Red Book of Butterflies in Turkey Red Book of Butterflies in Turkey

Red Book of Butterflies in Turkey
Taxonomic notes
Prior to its description in 1990 this species was recorded as Epinephele
jurtina telmessia or Maniola telmessia (Olivier and Coutsis 1995).
However, studies of the genitalia show that although there is evidence
of gene exchange, Maniola halicarnassus is distinctly different from
Meadow Brown (M. jurtina) and Eastern Meadow Brown (M.
telmessia) and it is thus now accepted as a valid species (Thomson
1990, Olivier and Coutsis 1995, Grill et al. 2004). It is considered that
the speciation was recent and that during the last glaciation the species
became isolated on Nissiros Island and the Bodrum Peninsula, coming
back into contact with Eastern Meadow Brown after the ice retreated
(Thomson 1990, Hesselbarth et al. 1995).
Habitat and Ecology
In Turkey, the butterfly occurs at low altitude (0-100m), in moist
and shaded grassy places in the close vicinity of bushes and trees. The
flight period is from early May to early June, then after aestivation
until August (Hesselbarth et al. 1995). However, on Nissiros in 1987
G. Thomson found fresh males and females up to 17 July, even when
it had been very hot for some time. Whether this was an early break
from aestivation or a normal pattern of behaviour is not known, but
it was notably different from Eastern Meadow Brown which was
aestivating at that time (but could be disturbed from its hiding places).
It therefore appears that the flight times of Halicarnas Brown are worth
investigating and may have some bearing on its speciation.
In Greece the butterfly is recorded at low altitude throughout the
island in dry, open scrub and near agricultural land (van Swaay et al.
2009k) and in the town. The larvae feed on grasses and the adults are
often observed nectaring on oregano (Origanum sp.) (Hesselbarth et al.
1995).
Increasing Decreasing Stable Unknown
The range of Halicarnas Brown is very restricted. In Turkey, the records
are from six adjacent 10x10 km squares which are all facing the same
threat (expansion of settlements and general building developments,
much of it related to tourism). The species is thus considered to exist at
a single location in Turkey.
In Greece, the butterfly occurs in several subpopulations but overall
these are small and very restricted; they are thus considered to comprise
one location (van Swaay et al. 2009k).
Globally the species thus occurs at just two locations.
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Population trend
Maniola halicarnassus
Threats
The Bodrum Peninsula has a warmer and drier climate than the rest
of the Aegean Coast and is one of the most popular tourism centres in
Turkey. The main threat to this butterfly is thus the spread of new houses
and tourism facilities which are steadily reducing the amount and quality
of natural habitat available. Since conservation of the butterfly and its
habitat are not considered in urban development plans this situation
can be expected to worsen. The European Red List of Butterflies does not
identify any specific threat for the Greek subpopulation (van Swaay et al.
2009k).
Recommended conservation action
Further research is needed to understand how to differentiate it from
Eastern Meadow Brown, to learn about its ecology and how it uses the
habitat, and long-term monitoring to provide information on population
trends. In Turkey the butterfly’s habitats should be protected by
including them in local urban development plans.
Selected References
Grill, A., de Voss, R. and van Arkel, J. (2004) The shape of endemics: Notes on
male and female genitalia in the genus Maniola. Contributions to Zoology, 73(4).
[Online]. Available from: http://dpc.uba.uva.nl/ctz/vol73/nr04/art05. [Accessed
on 29 August 2010].
Olivier, A. and Coutsis, J.G. (1995) Rhopalocera of Turkey 13. Sympatry and
supposed gene exchange between Maniola telmessia (Zeller, 1847) and Maniola
halicarnassus Thomson, 1990 on the Bodrum Peninsula (SW. Turkey) vs.
evidence for their specific distinctness: two sides of the same coin (Lepidoptera:
Nymphalidae Satyrinae). Entomobrochure, (7), 1-60.
Thomson, G. 1990. Maniola halicarnassus - a new Satyrid from south-western
Turkey. Phegea, 18(4), pp.149-155.
van Swaay, C., Wynhoff, I., Verovnik, R., Wiemers, M., López Munguira,
M.,Maes, D., Šašic, M., Verstrael, T., Warren, M. and Settele, J. (2009k) Maniola
halicarnassus IN: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2010. Version
2010.4. [Online]. Available from: www.iucnredlist.org. [Downloaded on 19
October 2010].
Assessment date
29.08.2010
Assessors
Karaçetin, E., Welch, H.J., Thomson, G. & Red List Working Group
participants, Ankara 10-12.08.2009.
Karaçetin, E. and Welch, H.J. (2011). Red Book of Butterflies in Turkey. Ankara, Turkey: Doğa Koruma Merkezi. Available from: [www.dkm.org.tr]