DOI: 10.5061/dryad.x0k6djhrj
title: Data from: From 20 to 2? Landmark-based geometric morphometrics reveal negligible wing-shape divergence between 20 subspecies of the Apollo butterfly, Parnassius apollo (Lepidoptera, Papilionidae), in the Carpatho-Pannonian region

description: Aims: For effective conservation management of endangered taxa, it is
 important to define operational units for conservation. In the absence of
 detailed genetic analyses, morphology-based taxonomy is often used as a
 surrogate. The Apollo butterfly, Parnassius apollo, is one of the most
 endangered butterfly species in Europe, considered as a flagship species,
 with 26 subspecies rank taxa described from the Carpatho-Pannonian region.
 The subspecific level taxonomy of the species in the region is typically
 based on old, one-by-one descriptions that are not necessarily comply with
 today’s taxonomical standards. We aimed to reveal the number of
 morphologically distinguishable groups among the putative subspecies by
 applying modern morphometrics. Location: Carpatho-Pannonian region
 (Central Europe). Methods: Landmark-based geometric morphometry analysis
 on the forewing shape of 949 male and 477 female specimens from 20
 Carpatho-Pannonian P. apollo subspecies (both extant and potentially
 extinct) and an outgroup subspecies using collection material. Results: We
 did not support the validity of the 20 subspecies: there was a single
 division between the Eastern Carpathian populations (described as two
 subspecies: P. a. transsylvanicus and P. a. rosenius) and the rest of the
 populations (including the outgroup from the Swiss Alps). Conclusions:
 Since P. apollo was not observed in the Eastern Carpathians in the last
 two decades, and the currently known extant populations in the
 Carpatho-Pannonian region are all located in the Northern Carpathians,
 there is a single conservation unit in the region. We suggest that (i)
 extensive monitoring is needed to reveal whether the unique Eastern
 Carpathian populations have really gone extinct and (ii) more
 taxonomical/phylogenetic studies on Central European P. apollo are needed
 for establishing the taxonomy of the species and efficient conservation
 strategies. We emphasize that modern integrative taxonomy is not only
 important for clarifying taxonomical issues, but also for providing basis
 for sound conservation management.
description: # Data from: From 20 to 2? Landmark-based geometric morphometrics reveal
 negligible wing-shape divergence between 20 subspecies of the Apollo
 butterfly, Parnassius apollo (Lepidoptera, Papilionidae), in the
 Carpatho-Pannonian region
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x0k6djhrj](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x0k6djhrj) Original data (all analyses were run on this). ## Description of the data and file structure A single file containing several sheets. The titles of the sheets are self-explanatory. File name: TakátsetalMS_original_data.xlsx   * The partial warp worksheets contain the partial warp score data belonging to each specimen * The relative warp worksheets contain the relative warp score data belonging to each specimen * Aligned specimens worksheets contain the x and y coordinates of each specimen after the Procrustes superposition