Diversity of Lycaenid Butterflies along with altitudinal gradient from Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background Butterflies are an important part of ecosystem that acting as a pollinator, enhance environmental beauty as well as monitor the health of the ecosystem. The diversity and abundance of butterflies along with factors such as temperature, rainfall and vegetation cover demonstrate considerable variation across altitudinal gradients. Results The study examined the variation in Lycaenid butterflies over an elevation range of 200 to 1000 metres in the Miao Wildlife Range of Namdapha National Park, situated in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. In general, lycaenid diversity and abundance are higher in the intermediate elevations and progressively decrease as one ascends. A total of 66 species of Lycaenids were found, covering 35 genera and 6 subfamilies. Of these, 37 (56%) were found in the Polyommatinae, followed by Theclinae 21 (32%), Miletinae 3 (5%), Curetinae 2 (3%), Lycaeninae (2%) and Poritiinae (1%) covers the least number of species. Diversity of Lycaenids varies along an elevation gradient, with richness and abundance gradually decrease in higher elevation. Hence, among the four altitudinal gradients sites, Site II (intermediate elevation) had the most contribution to the total number of observed species (n = 48, 1-D = 0.97, H = 3.66), whereas Site IV (higher elevation) had the least number of species (n = 28, 1-D = 0.93, H = 3.17). On another hand, Site IV shows rich species evenness (e^H/S = 0.85) followed by Site III (e^H/S = 0.84), Site II (e^H/S = 0.81) and Site I (e^H/S = 0.75). Conclusion The research findings indicated that butterfly diversity showed increased variability at intermediate elevations, which gradually decreased with higher elevations, as demonstrated by diversity indices. We can conclude that elevation had an impact on the diversity and abundance of butterfly species. Furthermore, data on other abiotic/biotic factors along with adequate conservation measures should be taken to ensure better preservation of the biodiversity.