Conservation genomics in the Clouded Apollo

Together with Niclas Backström, Uppsala

The Clouded Apollo butterfly is one of Sweden's most endangered butterflies. The species previously had a larger distribution but is today limited to a few localities in Blekinge, Uppland and Västernorrland. Experiments are underway with support releases in some populations with butterflies bred in captivity. For this purpose, butterflies from a population kept at Nordens Ark in Bohuslän are used. Our research and our part of the conservation work aims to document genomic diversity, population structure and degree of inbreeding in Swedish and nearby populations in our neighboring countries. The research takes place in collaboration with the Swedish action program for the species, which is led by the County Administrative Board in Blekinge. In this context, the entire butterfly's genome is also sequenced in collaboration with NGI, SciLifeLab.