Microclimate Variability Significantly Affects the Composition, Abundance and Phenology of Butterfly Communities in a Highly Threatened Neotropical Dry Forest

摘要: Abstract In temperate areas, microclimate is a key factor affecting the population dynamics of insects, but very few studies have examined potential significance in diverse tropical insect communities. We quantified diversity and structure butterfly communities 2 different microhabitats, over seasons, which abiotic (microclimate) biotic (vegetation structure) components affected community composition. The study was performed from Jun 2009 to May 2010 at dry forest Ecuador, globally threatened habitat with high levels endemism. Two transects were established, one each microhabitat, where baited traps located understory canopy record species abundance. Humidity temperature recorded during sampling period vegetation variables measured. A total 3,731 individuals representing 93 collected. Higher richness abundances found wet season. Linear regression models...