Higher and hotter: the continuous use of a territorial area by males of the threatened butterfly, Actinote zikani (Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae: Acraeini) in a Serra do Mar hilltop

This study has the objective of describing the hilltopping and territorial behavior of adult males of the bivoltine butterfly Actinote zikani during six flying seasons (2016)(2017)(2018)(2019). Males used the same areas and these territories presented patterns of horizontal and vertical stratifications during all seasons. The amount of solar radiation on the black wings of A. zikani seems to contribute to rapid warming this butterfly, that together with the protection against stronger winds were the main variables that altered the A. zikani behavior and consequently shaped the territories. Some males were recorded flying throughout the territory during more than two hours without landing, inspecting agonistically other intruder conspecifics and other insects. Some aerial fights with conspecifics resulted in strifes on the ground when each male used their genitalia to infringe damages to the other. Here, males of A. zikani, broke the paradigm that butterflies have no mechanical weapons to use against other individuals. In these territorial areas, even in seasons where few floral resources were available, no individuals of this species were observed foraging on flowers or inflorescences during periods of territorial behavior.

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“…Detailed description of territories, topography, and climate of the study area is in Francini et al [10] .…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Male hilltopping and territorial behavior of the butterfly Actinote zikani (Heliconiinae: Acraeini)

Francini¹,

Ramos²,

Grantsau³

et al. 2022

J. Entomol. Zool. Stud.

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“…Além das espécies endêmicas da Mata Atlântica, o gênero Actinote engloba espécies que ocorrem desde a América Central até a Argentina. Existem 36 espécies descritas de Actinote atualmente (Francini et al, , 2005 e 22 dessas ocorrem na região e sudeste do Brasil. Essa é a segunda maior radiação de um gênero Nymphalidae conhecida para esta região Mullen et al, 2011).…”

Section: O Gênero Actinote Hübner 1819 E Sua Tribo Acraeini (Nymphali...unclassified

Evolutionary diversification of montane Atlantic Forest butterflies

de Moraes Magaldi

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Higher and hotter: the continuous use of a territorial area by males of the threatened butterfly, Actinote zikani (Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae: Acraeini) in a Serra do Mar hilltop

Abstract: This study describes the main territorial area in hilltop of Serra do Mar above Paranapiacaba village, Santo Andre municipality, Sao Paulo, SE Brazil, in relation to topographic and microclimate conditions which are analyzed using hemispherical photographs.

Cited by 2 publications

References 11 publications

Male hilltopping and territorial behavior of the butterfly Actinote zikani (Heliconiinae: Acraeini)

Male hilltopping and territorial behavior of the butterfly Actinote zikani (Heliconiinae: Acraeini)

Evolutionary diversification of montane Atlantic Forest butterflies

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