Allow me:
Relictual (root word is relict) populations are remnants of once lager
populations. This occurs when the environment changes either as a result of
natural or man-made processes. The environment of the higher elevations of
W-MD and W-VA are equivalent to that of mid to northern Canada. At the time
of the last ice age this environment was widespread in our region, but as
things warmed up the cool environment plants and the animals depending on
them were forced to retreat to ever-higher terrain and now exist only in the
highest elevations in our area.
Regal Fritillaries are a species of butterfly
Jim Speicher
Jspeicher-at-niaid.nih.gov
Rockville @work :(
Broad Run_S. FRED Co @home :) |