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

Shrestha, B. R.; Timsina, Binu; Münzbergová, Z.; Dostálek, T.; Gaudel, P.; Basnet, T. B.; Rokaya, Maan Bahadur

doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11629-019-5381-3

Number of the records: 1

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

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SYSNO ASEP	0534305
Document Type	J - Journal Article
R&D Document Type	Journal Article
Subsidiary J	Článek ve WOS
Title	Butterfly-plant interactions and body size patterns along an elevational gradient in the Manang region of central Nepal
Author(s)	Shrestha, B. R. (NP) Timsina, Binu (UEK-B)_{RID, SAI, ORCID, RID} Münzbergová, Z. (CZ) Dostálek, T. (CZ) Gaudel, P. (NP) Basnet, T. B. (NP) Rokaya, Maan Bahadur (UEK-B)_{RID, ORCID, SAI}
Number of authors	7
Source Title	Journal of Mountain Science. - : Science Press - ISSN 1672-6316 Roč. 17, č. 5 (2020), s. 1115-1127
Number of pages	12 s.
Language	eng - English
Country	CN - China
Keywords	species richness ; bergmanns rule ; lepidoptera rhopalocera ; conservation status ; diversity ; assemblages ; himalaya ; communities ; seasonality ; abundance ; Lepidoptera ; Microhabitat ; Species richness ; Species composition ; Bergmann's rule
Subject RIV	EH - Ecology, Behaviour
OECD category	Environmental sciences (social aspects to be 5.7)
R&D Projects	LO1415 GA MŠMT - Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS)
Method of publishing	Limited access
Institutional support	UEK-B - RVO:86652079
UT WOS	000520703600001
EID SCOPUS	85082815256
DOI	10.1007/s11629-019-5381-3
Annotation	Butterflies are widely studied due to their key ecosystem functions. For this reason, they are used in ecosystem assessment, formulating conservation plans and in raising the environmental awareness. Quantification of different factors affecting diversity of butterflies is important for their effective conservation. 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. We also tested if butterfly species follow the Bergmann's rule. A total of 57 butterfly species belonging to 39 genera and 8 families were recorded in the study area. Out of a total of 127 plant species in identified in the study region, only 67 plant species were visited by butterflies as nectar sources. 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 x 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.
Workplace	Global Change Research Institute
Contact	Nikola Šviková, svikova.n@czechglobe.cz, Tel.: 511 192 268
Year of Publishing	2021
Electronic address	https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11629-019-5381-3

Number of the records: 1