Diversity and spatial distribution of butterflies in different macrohabitat of North East India

• Published in: International journal of tropical insect science 2022-12, Vol.42 (6), p.3671-3686
• Main Authors: Karmakar, Prasun, Mishra, Akshay, Borah, Chandan, Deka, Arabinda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abundance; Biomedical and Life Sciences; butterflies; Butterflies & moths; Conservation; Diversity indices; Dominance; ecological balance; Ecosystem stability; Entomology; Environmental quality; family; forest habitats; Forestry research; Forests; gardens; Gardens & gardening; Habitats; Hesperiidae; India; Indicator species; Life Sciences; Lycaenidae; Nymphalidae; Original Research Article; Papilionidae; Pieridae; Plantations; rain forests; Rainforests; Roadsides; Seasons; Spatial distribution; species; Species composition; species diversity; Spring; Spring (season); Summer; Threatened species; wildlife
• ISSN: 1742-7592; 1742-7584; 1742-7592
• DOI: 10.1007/s42690-022-00885-5

Butterflies play an ecological role in nature by serving as bio-indicators for maintaining habitat quality and ecosystem stability. The diversity and spatial distribution of butterflies in four habitats, i.e., roadside, garden, plantation and forest, were assessed from March to June 2021 to document the checklist of butterfly species on the campus during the spring and the summer seasons in Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, India. In the present study, 613 individuals from 44 species belonging to five families, i.e., Nymphalidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae, Papilionidae and Hesperiidae, were recorded by transect walk method. The maximum richness and abundance of butterfly species was found during the summer season (May–June). The family Nymphalidae recorded the highest percentage of species and individuals among the sampled butterfly families during both the seasons. This family also showed the highest Simpson dominance index, Shannon diversity index and Margalef index during both the seasons. The analysis of alpha diversity indices showed the highest values of Simpson dominance index, Shannon diversity index and Margalef index in the roadside and garden habitat and the lowest in the plantation habitat. The models on abundance distribution (ADM) showed a significant difference in butterfly species composition in the forest habitat during the spring season and both the forest and plantation habitats during the summer season. Among the sampled butterfly species, six were categorized as threatened under Schedules II and IV of India's Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The outcomes of this study highlight the relevance of this institutional campus as a butterfly's preferred habitat, offering a rich environment for butterfly conservation and future research studies. The study will further aid in the long-term conservation efforts of the butterfly species and their habitats.