Habitat heterogeneity shapes multiple diversity dimensions of fruit-feeding butterflies in an environmental gradient in the Brazilian Cerrado

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 2024-04, Vol.558, p.121747, Article 121747
• Main Authors: de Brito Freire, Geraldo, Diniz, Ivone Rezende, Salcido, Danielle M., Oliveira, Hernani Fernandes Magalhães, Sudta, Chanchanok, Silva, Thayane, Rodrigues, Hanna, Dias, João Paulo, Dyer, Lee A., Domingos, Fabrícius Maia Chaves Bicalho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Gallery forests; Phylogeny; Savannah woodland; Species traits
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2024.121747

Habitat heterogeneity affects species distribution, and a better understanding of this relationship can inform biodiversity conservation. To understand how habitat heterogeneity affects multiple dimensions of biodiversity, we sampled fruit-feeding butterflies within savannah woodlands and gallery forests from July 2012 to June 2013 in the Cerrado. A total of 3459 individuals representing 56 species were collected, with 32 found in savannah and 51 in gallery forest. In addition to taxonomic diversity, gallery forests host higher functional (Gower = 0.72) and phylogenetic diversity (Faith’s PD = 641.5) compared to savannahs (Gower = 0.61; Faith = 416.1, respectively). Within gallery forests, butterfly assemblages exhibited higher functional diversity in the understory (Gower = 0.8) than in the canopy (Gower = 0.6). Similarly, phylogenetic diversity was higher in understory (PD = 573.9) compared to canopy (PD = 391.9) within the savannah. Species with smaller bodies (CWMsize = 27.8), broader diet breadth (CWMdiet = 2642), and defense-related traits (CWMeyespots = 65% of the assemblage), tended to be found in gallery forests compared to savannah woodland (CWMsize = 29.4; CWMdiet = 1527; CWMeyespots = 35% of the assemblage), respectively. Gallery forests are marked by more stable and less severe microclimate, reinforcing their pivotal role as a climatic refuge for most species, with a particular emphasis on smaller, desiccation-prone species. Furthermore, habitat heterogeneity may provide new ecological niches, which contribute to the high butterfly diversity in the Cerrado biome. Gallery forests offer favorable conditions for a higher proportion of butterfly assemblages, whereas savannah woodlands host distinct functional groups, including larger-bodied, camouflaged, and dietary specialist species. In light of this, we strongly advocate for the preservation of the gallery forest-savannah ecotone, in order to promote the coexistence of diverse butterfly lineages and functional groups. [Display omitted] •Forests have higher diversity of fruit-feeding butterflies compared to savannahs.•Shaded and cooler gallery forests favored the presence of small-bodied butterflies.•Lower plant richness within Savannahs favored the presence of diet specialists.•Gallery forests play a vital role in buffering temperature and humidity extremes.•Conserving habitat heterogeneity is crucial for preserving Cerrado’s biodiversity.