Population genetics of the endangered narrowly endemic Island Marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus)

Conservation Genetics
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

The Island Marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus) is an endangered species endemic to the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State, United States, and British Columbia, Canada. The species was thought to be extinct for ~ 90 years before it was rediscovered at American Camp, San Juan Island National Historical Park in 1998. Here, we report the results of the first population genetic analyses for insulanus, using DNA collected non-invasively from individuals in the last known stronghold for the species. We used DNA extracted from meconium, larval exuviae, and natural mortalities to generate and test thirteen new microsatellite markers to estimate genetic diversity, population structure, and kinship. We assembled and annotated mitochondrial genomes, which were used alongside museum specimens of insulanus collected ~ 100 years ago from Vancouver Island, and other members of the E. ausonides species complex, to infer the evolutionary history of the species. The results indicated that insulanus experiences low heterozygosity, a small effective population size (Ne), and low allelic diversity. High levels of inbreeding were found in some individuals, but inbreeding was uneven across the population. No population structure or partitioning of genetic variation by host plant was detected. The mitogenomes of extant insulanus were all identical and modern samples showed a loss of allelic diversity compared to insulanus from museums. Extant insulanus formed a clade with museum specimens and we identified multiple putatively diagnostic alleles to differentiate insulanus from other subspecies. Based on these results, we outline considerations for species management and genetic monitoring.

Suggested Citation

Jones, K., Aunins, A.W., Young, C., Johnson, R.L., and Morrison, C.L., 2025, Population genetics of the endangered narrowly endemic Island Marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus): Conservation Genetics, v. 27, 5, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-025-01737-8.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Population genetics of the endangered narrowly endemic Island Marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus)
Series title Conservation Genetics
DOI 10.1007/s10592-025-01737-8
Volume 27
Publication Date November 18, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Springer Nature
Contributing office(s) Eastern Ecological Science Center
Description 5
Country Canada, United States
State British Columbia, Washington
Other Geospatial San Juan Islands
Additional publication details