Butterfly diversity along the elevation gradient of Eastern Himalaya, India

摘要: The species richness pattern along spatial scales (latitudinal or elevational) forms useful tools in understanding diversity gradients and their underlying mechanisms. Understanding elevational patterns of biodiversity have strong conservation implications. Himalayas are unique systems exploring such as they harbor tallest mountains the world. Here, we explored pattern, its causes, turn over rate range size distribution butterflies Sikkim, Eastern Himalaya, India. We followed fixed width point count method for sampling covering 1014 points spread 23 transects elevation gradient (300–4700 m) Sikkim. Data on environmental factors habitat parameters were obtained from our published literatures same study system. During this observed a total 2749 representing 161 six families. Species declining trend with hump at around 1000 m. Various variables correlated strongly abundance butterflies. Among set factors, mean annual temperature actual evapotranspiration remained most important determinants reflecting importance energy productivity butterfly Himalayan gradient. Butterflies showed high turnover Elevational profile that 38.5 % restricted below 2000 m elevation. low areas Himalaya although entire is crucial small range-sized species.