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

Red Book of Butterflies in Turkey
Taxonomic notes
No known taxonomic problems or issues.
Habitat and Ecology
It prefers wetlands with rich vegetation at low altitudes in the coastal
zone, sometimes in the vicinity of deciduous forests and Mediterranean
maquis. Also richly structured vegetation and openings in deciduous
forests, sometimes further inland (Hesselbarth et al. 1995). There are
two broods a year (Settele et al. 2008d).
The butterflies are often observed on white Cistus (Cistus sp.) where
they search for nectar. Males defend territories in which they do not
tolerate any other male (Hesselbarth et al. 1995).
Larval foodplant is sorrel, especially Sheep’s Sorrel (Rumex acetosella).
The eggs hatch after five days. The early instar caterpillars feed only on
the lower epidermis of the foodplant’s leaves, later instars can produce
big holes. Caterpillars are first yellow and later green with a brown
head capsule. In comparison with other copper species, ants are very
interested in them and visit them frequently though there is no species
specific ant association. After five weeks the caterpillars of the first
generation attach themselves to leaves or the soil with a silk belt and
pupate and the ants lose interest. The pupal period lasts 10 to 14 days
(Hesselbarth et al. 1995).
Outside Turkey males of the summer brood are especially attracted to
flowers of Dwarf Elder (Sambucus ebulus). Females appear to retire to
a different part of their habitat after pairing. This behaviour, coupled
with relatively subdued female activity, may account for the commonly
reported ‘rarity’ of females, even in colonies where males are abundant.
(Tolman and Lewington 1997).
Population Trend
Increasing Decreasing Stable Unknown
Population
Very localised (Hesselbarth et al. 1995). No records from Balıkesir,
Bursa or İstanbul for more than 140 years, nor Hatay for more than
40 years support the decline observed by Hesselbarth et al. (1995).
However, since 2008 there have been records from three new provinces:
Sakarya, Çanakkale and Kırklareli, indicating that the species has been
overlooked in the past and is likely still to be more widespread than
the records suggest. Despite this the distribution remains severely
fragmented, divided into isolated subpopulations.
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Lycaena ottomana
Threats
The butterfly’s preferred habitat - generally damp, low-lying coastal
areas - has long been under threat from tourism and other building
developments. Some meta-populations along the Mediterranean and
Aegean coast and in Marmara had already been lost when the Turkish
subpopulations of this species were last assessed for IUCN in 2000
(van Swaay et al. 2000). Throughout its range the remaining small and
isolated subpopulations continue to face the same threat of habitat loss
(Hesselbarth et al. 1995).
Recommended conservation action
Surveys to identify remaining areas of habitat still used by the butterfly,
followed by working together with local decision makers to develop
measures which will provide effective local protection.
In Sakarya, this species has been found in the same area (though not the
same habitat) as Lycaena dispar, indicating that conservation action here
could benefit both species.
Selected References
Settele, J., Kudrna, O., Harpke, A., Kühn, I., van Swaay, C.A.M., Verovnik, R.,
Warren, M., Wiemers, M., Haspanch, J., Hickler, T., Kühn, E., van Halder, I.,
Velling, K., Vliegenthart, A., Wynhoff, I. and Schweiger, O. (2008d) Lycaena
ottomana IN: Climatic Risk Atlas of European Butterflies. Sofia, Moscow: Pensoft,
pp.194-195.
van Swaay, C.A.M. and Warren, M.S. (2000) Lycaena ottomana IN: IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2010. Version 2010.4. [Online]. Available from:
www. iucnredlist.org. [Downloaded 22 December 2010].
Assessment date
12.08.2009
Assessors
Welch, H.J., Karaçetin, E. & 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]