Ph.D.  thesis (abstract)

The main purpose of this work was study of variability and different aspects of hybridization in butterflies of the family Papilionidae. These questions are discussed in respect to close species relationships. Principal conclusions are based on the results of both morphological and molecular genetic studies.

Dissertation consists of Introduction, seven chapters, Conclusions, List of References, Appendices and comprises 216 pages.

Introduction explains the importance of the problem studied. The irregularity in data available on Parnassius butterflies is shown. It is also noted, that some Parnassius species groups have difficult and intricate taxonomy, which may be complicated with natural hybridization.

Chapter One is a review of published data. Principle references are on experimental hybridization in swallowtail butterflies (most numerous studies by S. A. Ae, C. A. Klarke and P. M. Sheppard) and molecular phylogeny of papilionids described mainly by M. S. Caterino and F. A. H. Sperling (1999), J. Aubert et al (1999), and T. Yagi et al (1999).

Chapter Two gives the information on studied samples and techniques and methods used in this study. Morphological data were used in standard discriminant function analysis. RAPD-PCR and PCR-RFLP (COI & COII mtDNA genes) were applied to reveal genetic polymorphism in swallowtail butterflies.

Chapter Three summarizes original data on experimental hybridization of three species of swallowtails (Achillides maackii maackii, Sinoprinceps xuthus xuthus, and Papilio machaon amurensis).

Chapter Four mirrors data on morphological and genetic polymorphism of Atorphaneura alcinous confusus in Primorye. Possible ways of migrations of A. alcinous from its natural habitat to artificial plantations of the hostplant were determined. The results obtained demonstrate that A. alcinous is not affected to inbreeding and has enough potentials to maintain population number and to occupy new habitats. It is determined that the main threat to the species comes from the forest fires and poaching resulting in reduction of hostplant populations.

Chapter Five is dedicated to study of natural hybridization between Parnassius nomion and P. bremeri with the aid of discriminant analysis of morphological characters and molecular genetic techniques. RAPD-PCR and PCR-RFLP revealed species-specific patterns of amplified and restricted DNA fragments. These markers were used to identify interspecific hybrids.

Chapter Six concerns the hypothesis about hybrid origin of some subspecies of Parnassius bremeri. The results of morphological and genetic surveys support the presumption that P. b. orotschonicus might originate in result of hybtidization between P. bremeri and P. phoebus.

Chapter Seven was aimed to revise the taxonomy of Parnassius eversmanni-felderi which includes several subspecies grouping in one, two and even three semispecies or individual species. Both morphological variability and genetic polymorphism were estimated for most subspecies in the group. The results obtained disprove taxonomic independence of felderi, which is just a subspecies of P. eversmanni.

Conclusions. The major conclusions given are as follows:

• Hybridization of Sinoprinceps xuthus, Achillides maackii and Papilio machaon is under Haldane's rule as all the hybrids obtained were males. Our data demonstrate lack of complete postzygote reproductive isolation in these three species.

• Study of morphological variability and genetic polymorphism in Atrophaneura alcinous confusus revealed that the species has enough potentials to maintain population number and to occupy new habitats if its current distribution in Primorye remains the same. Thus, the main complex of conservative measures should be aimed for the protection of the hostplant  Aristolochia manshuriensis.

• Morphological surveys and genetic data testify that Parnassius nomion and P. bremeri occasionally hybridize in nature.

• Study of genetic similarity in several subspecies of Parnassius bremeri tells that Parnassius bremeri orotschonicus might originate in result of hybridization between P. bremeri and P. phoebus.

• Comparative analysis of morphological variability and genetic polymorphism in Parnassius eversmanni-felderi subspecies group disprove taxonomic independence of felderi, which is nothing more, than a subspecies of Parnassius eversmanni.

List of References counts 157 titles and many of them are in English.

Appendices include all mathematical matrices and arrays of compared characters.