Butterfly-plant interactions and body size patterns along an elevational gradient in the Manang region of central Nepal

0533240 - BÚ 2021 RIV CN eng J - Journal Article
Shrestha, B. R. - Tinsina, B. - Münzbergová, Zuzana - Dostálek, Tomáš - Gaudel, P. - Basnet, T. B. - Rokaya, Maan Bahadur
Butterfly-plant interactions and body size patterns along an elevational gradient in the Manang region of central Nepal.
Journal of Mountain Science. Roč. 17, č. 5 (2020), s. 1115-1127. ISSN 1672-6316. E-ISSN 1993-0321
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA17-10280S
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : Lepidoptera * species richness * microhabitat
OECD category: Ecology
Impact factor: 2.071, year: 2020
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-019-5381-3

In this study, we investigated abiotic and biotic factors affecting species richness and community composition of butterflies along an elevational gradient in Manang region, central Nepal. Species richness of butterflies increased with increasing elevation. Species richness was significantly higher in places with shrubs compared to other places and also in autumn than in summer. Species richness of butterflies also depended on composition of plant species occurring at the localities. Butterfly species composition varied among sampling localities. It was also determined by habitat type, elevation, sampling time, plant species and interactions of elevation × time. The relationship between butterfly size and elevation was in the opposite direction than expected according to the Bergmann’s rule. In conclusion, protection of butterfly diversity can only be achieved by protecting different habitats across the diverse physiography of the region and different plant species, in particular herbs and shrubs. Our results do not support the Bergmann's rule for butterflies along an elevational gradient in our region.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0314200