Sagehen Creek Field Station

30 Jun, 05 PM - 31 Jul, 05 PM

Captive mating trials allow for tests of hypotheses of pre- and post-zygotic mating barriers when populations are under partial genetic and phenotypic divergence. I would like to conduct mating trials using adults of the Satyrium fuliginosum complex from 4 northern Sierra Nevada populations. These mating trials would be conducted under controlled conditions in screened cages (approximately 1 cubic foot). I will reciprocally present and males and females from similar or divergent populations from the northern Sierra Nevada and analyze mating preferences and rates. These experiments are especially Identical experiments have been conducted in greenhouses at UC Davis, but these conditions do not satisfactorily mimic wild mating conditions and these trials have been unsuccessful. Since this butterfly species has not yet been recorded from the Sagehen Field Station (although populations are known within 20 miles), I plan on setting up the mating trials in a closed laboratory and then moving these cages outside to experience the full natural range of sun and temperatures that these butterflies are acclimated to at similar sites in the Sierra Nevada. I will also collect cuttings of their larval hostplants from natal populations (various perennial lupines). These plant species have been recorded at Sagehen. All adults used in these mating trials will be reared in captivity from wild collected caterpillars under controlled conditions to control for the age and sexual experience. Following these experiments, all adults will be retained for phenotypic analyses. Housing during this time would be required, although amenities are completely flexible.

Visit #15267 @Sagehen Creek Field Station

Approved

Under Project # 9519 | Research

Evolutionary implications of a sexual polymorphism in the sooty hairstreak

graduate_student - University of California, Davis

Reservation Members(s)

Erik Runquist Jun 30 - Jul 31, 2008 (32 days)
Erik Runquist Jun 30 - Jul 31, 2008 (32 days)

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