Spatial distribution of butterfly (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) along altitudinal gradients at Gunung Ledang National Park, Johor, Malaysia

Abstract

Abstract. Gunung Ledang, or previously known as Mount Ophir is the highest highland in south Peninsular Malaysia, in the state of Johor. Along with its elevations, climate, and vegetation vary. These influence the distribution of flora and fauna such as butterfly. The objectives of this study were (i) to document the diversity of butterfly along elevational gradients and (ii) to analyze species diversity patterns based on faunistic aspect. To determine spatial distribution, this study was conducted at three different altitudes; 1 200 m, 800 m, and 400 m above sea level (a.s.l.). Samplings were conducted from May 2014 until Feb 2015. During the eight sampling occasions, two main methods were employed; manual collection using the aerial net and baited trapping using rotten fruits. A total of 635 individuals comprising 129 butterfly species from five families were recorded. The five families were Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae, and Hesperiidae. Nymphalidae was the most well-represented family by 58.1 % species richness and 80.3 % abundance. At all elevations, eight species were consistently found. They were: Eurema hecabe, Euploea mulciber, Ideopsis gaura, Mycalesis maianeas, Ypthima pandocus, Cirrochroa malaya, Cirrochroa orissa, and Hypolimnas bolina. There were highly significant differences (p < 0.001) in the diversity of butterfly species between elevations. The values of Shannon Diversity Index (H') was highest, 4.179 at 400m and lowest, 1.792 at 1 200 m. Meanwhile, the Species Evenness Index (E') at 400 m was 0.660 and at 1 200 m was 0.162. These indicated that lowest altitude (400 m) would harbor higher species diversity and more even species distribution compared to the two higher altitudes. Spatially, the diversity of butterfly in a highland forest of Malaysia was established, providing a baseline data that would be useful for monitoring and conservation of a protected area such as Gunung Ledang National Park.

Butterfly Diversity at the Different Elevations along Crocker Range Park, in Malaysian Borneo

“…This study focused on the pattern of butterfly diversity and assemblages along the different elevations in the rainforest of Borneo. Butterflies are sensitive towards subtle changes in their environment which make them an excellent bioindicator to assess environmental changes (Ismail et al, 2018).…”

“…On the other hand, the `humped-shape' pattern of altitudinal diversity was reported and discussed in several studies (Guo et al, 2013). The environment at a higher elevation with low temperature, high humidity, cloudy and less sunlight, less plant species and compact forest canopy could affect the butterfly abundance (Ismail et al, 2018). In contrast, a study conducted at Gunung Ledang in Peninsular Malaysia found that the number of butterfly species and abundance were high at an altitude of 400m, but showed a sharp decrease with increasing altitude (Ismail et al, 2018).…”

“…The environment at a higher elevation with low temperature, high humidity, cloudy and less sunlight, less plant species and compact forest canopy could affect the butterfly abundance (Ismail et al, 2018). In contrast, a study conducted at Gunung Ledang in Peninsular Malaysia found that the number of butterfly species and abundance were high at an altitude of 400m, but showed a sharp decrease with increasing altitude (Ismail et al, 2018). The difference in the butterfly diversity pattern could be explained by the distribution of their food resources and breeding habitat (Jemal & Getu, 2018).…”

Communities of Lepidoptera along an elevational gradient in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea)

“…The most commonly observed pattern for insect communities is a reduction in richness and abundance at higher elevations, with greater diversity in low or mid zones (FERNANDES et al, 2016;PIRES et al, 2020), and such trend also applies to Lepidoptera. Studies carried out in different environments demonstrated that low elevations host a greater diversity of Lepidoptera, with more uniform species distribution (SPARROW et al, 1994;ISMAIL et al, 2018). Other investigations found greater diversity in mid-elevation zones, where temperature and rainfall levels were within the optimal range for butterfly survival (STEFANESCU et al, 2004;ILLÁN et al, 2010;ABRAHAMCZYK et al, 2011).…”

Coleoptera of Genting Highland, Malaysia: species richness and diversity changes along the elevations

“…Tropical mountains, moreover, are regarded as hotspots of biodiversity and endemism (Chen et al, 2009;Merckx et al, 2015), and Malaysia is among the biodiversity hotspots in South East Asia. There are number of studies on species diversity patterns along elevational gradients such as land snails (Liew et al, 2010), leaf litter ants (Brühl et al, 1999), litter-dwelling ants (Yusah et al, 2012), black fly (Ya'cob et al, 2016) and butterflies (Ismail et al, 2018;Abdullah and Musthafa, 2019). Diversity studies of beetles have been fairly well covered by the scientific community, but they focused little on the diversity change across elevations in the montane ecosystems.…”