DOI: 10.5061/dryad.6m905qfx6
title: Trait data of European and Maghreb butterflies

description: Trait-based analyses explaining the different responses of species and
 communities to environmental changes are increasing in frequency. European
 butterflies are an indicator group that responds rapidly to environmental
 changes with extensive citizen science contributions to documenting
 changes of abundance and distribution. Species traits have been used to
 explain long- and short-term responses to climate, land-use and vegetation
 changes. Studies are often characterised by limited traits sets being
 used, with risks that the relative roles of different traits are not fully
 explored. Butterfly trait information is dispersed amongst various sources
 and descriptions sometimes differ between sources. We have drawn together
 multiple information sets to provide a comprehensive trait database
 covering 542 taxa and  25 main traits (subdivided into 217
 sub-traits) of the butterflies of Europe and North Africa which should
 serve for improved trait-based ecological, conservation-related,
 phylogeographic and evolutionary studies of this group of insects. We
 provide this data in two forms; the basic data and as processed continuous
 and multinomial data, to enhance its potential usage. A maintained
 database is available at
 https://butterflytraits.github.io/European-Butterfly-Traits/index.html
description: Trait information was
 gathered from sources including field guides, atlases, scientific papers,
 and some selected online resources and direct observation in the field.
 Species-specific information sources are given in the database. In cases
 with multiple sources of trait information, data from peer reviewed papers
 were preferentially used. In cases where differences were identified in
 trait information between different sources, and could be identified as
 representing trait diversity, all sets of information were included in the
 trait database. When published information was lacking, we inferred traits
 using photographs  if the traits could be unequivocally determined. This
 included hostplants and hostplant types, egg-laying location, larval
 location, adult feeding, adult basking type and basking sites.  Trait
 information based on photographs was independently assessed by the authors
 in order to check the validity of the inferences. For some taxa certain
 trait information was not available in any source, and thus it is missing
 in the database.
description: We have
 provided the first extensive database of butterfly traits in Europe and
 North Africa. Of particular value is the species and geographic coverage
 and the extensive sets of traits that we have included. This provides an
 outstanding resource for improving our understanding of fundamental
 processes such as how traits define species co-occurrences and their
 responses to environmental change, their spatial dynamics, and their
 associations with vegetation structures. Since traits vary within
 different taxonomic groups, understanding their evolution and variability
 among different branches of the tree of life can also provide insights
 into phylogenetic constraints on species resource requirements and
 ultimately on their local abundance and large scale occurrence and
 vulnerability to environmental change. As our trait database includes a
 large component of resource requirements for all life-history stages it
 can also be used to aid conservation efforts by focusing on resources that
 may be limited for vulnerable species at small to large spatial scales.
 Additionally, the inclusion of behavioural traits within the database can
 contribute to increasing our understanding of the roles of behavioural
 characteristics in determining species occurrences and resource
 use. For some species there is missing data and some
 traits currently have more missing values than others. The database will
 be mantained as new information is gathered.