mark-recapture (Lycaenidae)

Knowledge graph centered on mark-recapture (Lycaenidae) with 70 nodes and 168 connections. Top connected: Ipomopsis, Ligusticum porteri, Delphinium, I. aggregata, Ipomopsis aggregata.

Method synopsis

Mark-release-recapture protocol for tracking individual butterfly movements among meadow patches using unique felt pen markings and systematic site visits.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 4 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Females know best: dispersal polymorphism maintained by sex-specific foraging (2025), Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. The protocol was originally introduced by Sensory cues and memory in Lepidopteran mud puddling behavior (2025). Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Butterfly marking and recapture
   Conducted mark-release-recapture study on 21 butterfly species. Marked each new individual with a unique number using a felt pen, recorded recaptures, and released all butterflies at the center of the site. For four species where sex could be identified quickly, recorded the sex for each individual captured. Conducted time-constrained search in each site (usually 40-60 person min), marked each new individual with unique number, recorded recaptures at same and different sites.
   Quantities: 21 species, 6,273 total marked individuals, 40-60 person minutes per site visitDuration: Mid-June through late August, 1998 and 1999, visiting each site every 1-2 daysConditions: During peak butterfly activity periods, avoiding rainy and heavily overcast days
   Equipment: felt pen, field recording sheets

Typical Equipment

• felt pen
• field recording sheets

Output Measurements

• individual capture histories
• movement frequencies
• recapture rates

Papers Using This Protocol (4)

Species Studied With This Protocol