Abstract
Abstract We provide the first inventory of butterfly species (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in Serra de São José, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Serra de São José has elevations ranging from 800 m to 1,400 m above sea level; the butterflies were sampled using traps and entomological nets in seven plots along the altitudinal gradient. We recorded 647 butterflies belonging to 112 species and six families. We also recorded one threatened species and three endemic species for the Cerrado domain, which suggests that Serra de São José is an important refuge for butterfly conservation.
Highlights
Campos rupestres is a type of vegetation in high-altitude environments that covers rocky outcrops and is found most often in quartzite soil (Fernandes 2016)
A total of 647 individual butterflies from 112 species belonging to 19 subfamilies were recorded in the campos rupestres of Serra de São José (Table 1)
We found three endemic Cerrado species: Parides bunichus diodorus (Papilionidae: Papilioninae), Sophista latifasciata latifasciata (Hesperiidae: Pyrginae), and Yphthimoides straminea (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae), and we registered one species listed in the Brazilian Red List: Actinote zikani (Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae)
Summary
Campos rupestres is a type of vegetation in high-altitude environments that covers rocky outcrops and is found most often in quartzite soil (Fernandes 2016). Butterflies represent about 13% of Lepidoptera (Heppner 1991) and are separated into two large guilds according to feeding habits as adults: the frugivorous butterflies can feed on fruits, exudates, and plant sap and include more than 50% of Nymphalidae, whereas nectarivorous butterflies feed on nectar and are found in all families, including some species of Nymphalidae (DeVries et al 1997) Their colors and shapes make them a charismatic group, attracting researchers and sensitizing the population to environmental conservation, and they can be used as flagship species for ecosystem protection and biodiversity conservation plans (Guiney & Oberhauser 2008, Santos et al 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
