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cje ›› 2009, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (09): 1847-1852.

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Vertical distribution and diversity of butterflies in Hengduan Mountains, Southwest China.

LI Xuan1,2;YUAN Xing-zhong1,2;DENG He-li3   

  1. 1College of Resources and Environmental Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China|2Key Laboratory for the Resources Exploitation &|Environmental Disaster Control Engineering in Southwest China, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044, China|3Chongqing Natural Museum, Chongqing 400700, China
  • Online:2009-09-10 Published:2009-09-10

Abstract: An investigation was conducted along an elevation gradient with 26 sampling sections in Hengduan Mountains to study the vertical distribution of butterflies in the Mountains. A total of 603 species belonging to 299 genera and 12 families were recorded, among which, Nymphal had the most richness and abundance, while Parnassiidae, Acraeidae, and Libytheidae had the least ones but were rare and precious. Along the elevation gradient, there was an obvious difference in the species composition and community diversity, manifesting a distinct vertical pattern. The vertical distribution of the butterfly communities could be divided into six zones, i.e., low montane farmland zone (Ⅰ), mantane subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest zone (Ⅱ), montane warm temperate evergreen and deciduous broadleaf mixed forest zone (Ⅲ), montane temperate coniferous and broadleaf mixed forest zone (Ⅳ), montane cold temperate dark coniferous forest zone (Ⅴ), and alpine subfrigid shrub meadow zone (VI). The diversity index ranked in the order of Ⅱ>Ⅰ>Ⅲ>Ⅳ>Ⅴ>Ⅵ. Among the six zones, zone Ⅱ had the most abun
dant vegetation types and the most complex topography, and had higher specie richness, individual number, and diversity index of butterfly than the other zones,being the most important ecological area needed to be protected in priority.

Key words: 32P isotopic technique, P-dissolving fungi, Phosphate fertilizer, Availability