Distribution of edaphic‐endemic butterflies in the Sierra Nevada of California

Abstract

ABSTRACTFive edaphically‐restricted or ‐endemic butterflies, mostly associated with serpentine, are shown to be distributed in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada in addition to their previously documented areas of occupancy in the California North Coast Ranges. Two species are absolutely limited by the edaphic restriction of their host plants, while the other three seemingly are not. The controversies concerning the origins of serpentine endemism in plants apply to butterflies as well. Long‐term relictualism can presumably apply only at the metapopulation level, not the local population level, due to the frequency of fire in these habitats. Development and habitat‐conversion trends pose a high risk to the long‐term survival of these species in the Sierra Nevada.