Date of Award

Fall 8-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Science

Department

Biological Sciences

College

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics

Committee Chair

John Jackson

Second Committee Member

Jorista Garrie

Third Committee Member

Eric Lovely

Fourth Committee Member

Maureen McClung

Program Director

Tom Nupp

Dean of Graduate College

Sarah Gordon

Abstract

The Georgia satyr (Neonympha areolatus) is a small sedentary butterfly that is rare in Arkansas. Currently, the exact locations of this butterfly in Arkansas are unknown, along with the habitat characteristics associated with their presence. In order to determine these unknowns, I completed 104 surveys across seven different wildlife management areas in southern Arkansas. Pollard-Yates transects were conducted at each study site, and weather variables were recorded before each survey. Vegetation surveys were also completed at each site, and where each Georgia satyr was identified. Generalized linear models (GLM) were created to identify what parameters are important for determining the presence or absence of this butterfly. It was found that grasses, forbs, sedges, flowers, canopy cover, and burn history were important for determining the butterfly’s presence, while cloud cover was important for detecting the butterfly. These results suggest that sedges and/or grasses are probable host plants for this butterfly, and that not only does this butterfly likely not nectar as an adult, but that nectar sources may increase interspecific competition. A Maxent model was also created using the location data collected along with climate data and various land data. Elevation and dominant soil drainage were determined to be the most influential factors. The resulting map identified the potential distribution of the satyr. This map, combined with the variables identified as important for determining presence, narrow the scope for future surveys.

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