The importance of protected areas for threatened Brazilian butterflies.

The present study aims to disclose the importance existing protected areas (PAs) and their level of protection for the conservation of the threatened Brazilian butterflies. A total of 898 occurrence records were found for all 63 species of butterflies present in the current Brazilian Red list. For all studied taxa, at least one occurrence record is within the limits of a PA. More than half of the occurrence records (61.9%) are within the limits of PAs, but less than half (41.7%) of these records are present in fully protected areas. For 17 taxa (27%), less than 50% of their records are within PAs, thus being completely unprotected. For butterfly taxa in the category "critically endangered", 42.6% of their occurrence records falls outside PAs. Almost 99% of the records are concentrated in the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado, the two most threatened Brazilian biomes and global hostspots of biodiversity. In conclusion, the present study showed an important panorama of how threatened Brazilian butterflies are protected (or not). Anyway, it is important to highlight that for any record inside a PA, some level of protection is provided for these taxa against the advance of environmental destruction caused by human activities.

A global map of species at risk of extinction due to natural hazards.

An often-overlooked question of the biodiversity crisis is how natural hazards contribute to species extinction risk. To address this issue, we explored how four natural hazards, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, overlapped with the distribution ranges of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles that have either narrow distributions or populations with few mature individuals. To assess which species are at risk from these natural hazards, we combined the frequency and magnitude of each natural hazard to estimate their impact. We considered species at risk if they overlapped with regions where any of the four natural hazards historically occurred (n = 3,722). Those species with at least a quarter of their range subjected to a high relative impact were considered at high risk (n = 2,001) of extinction due to natural hazards. In total, 834 reptiles, 617 amphibians, 302 birds, and 248 mammals were at high risk and they were mainly distributed on islands and in the tropics. Hurricanes (n = 983) and earthquakes (n = 868) affected most species, while tsunamis (n = 272), and volcanoes (n = 171) affected considerably fewer. The region with the highest number of species at high risk was the Pacific Ring of Fire, especially due to volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis, while hurricane-related high-risk species were concentrated in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and northwestern Pacific Ocean. Our study provides important information regarding the species at risk due to natural hazards and can help guide conservation attention and efforts to safeguard their survival.

Wing pattern diversity in Eunica butterflies (Nymphalidae: Biblidinae): phylogenetic analysis implies decoupled adaptive trends in dorsal sexual dimorphism and ventral eyespot evolution.

Butterfly eyespots are wing patterns reminiscent of vertebrate eyes, formed by concentric rings of contrastingly coloured scales. Eyespots are usually located close to the wing margin and often regarded as the single most conspicuous pattern element of butterfly wing colour displays. Recent efforts to understand the processes involved in the formation of eyespots have been driven mainly by evo-devo approaches focused on model species. However, patterns of change implied by phylogenetic relationships can also inform hypotheses about the underlying developmental mechanisms associated with the formation or disappearance of eyespots, and the limits of phenotypic diversity occurring in nature. Here we present a combined evidence phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus Eunica, a prominent member of diverse Neotropical butterfly communities, that features notable variation among species in eyespot patterns on the ventral hind wing surface. The data matrix consists of one mitochondrial gene region (COI), four nuclear gene regions (GAPDH, RPS5, EF1a and Wingless) and 68 morphological characters. A combined cladistic analysis with all the characters concatenated produced a single most parsimonious tree that, although fully resolved, includes many nodes with modest branch support. The phylogenetic hypothesis presented corroborates a previously proposed morphological trend leading to the loss of eyespots, together with an increase in the size of the conserved eyespots, relative to outgroup taxa. Furthermore, wing colour pattern dimorphism and the presence of androconia suggest that the most remarkable instances of sexual dimorphism are present in the species of Eunica with the most derived eyespot patterns, and are in most cases accompanied by autapomorphic combinations of scent scales and "hair pencils". We discuss natural and sexual selection as potential adaptive explanations for dorsal and ventral wing patterns.

Micro-CT imaging in species description: exploring beyond sclerotized structures in lichen moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini).

X-ray micro-computed tomography imaging (micro-CT) is valuable for systematic research since it permits the non-destructive scanning and imaging of internal structures of very rare species and/or type specimens. Additionally, micro-CT allows to view the morphology and the functional anatomy of structures in their natural anatomical position, without deformations that typically occur using classical dissection protocols. In this study we provide the description of two new species of lichen moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Lithosiini) from the Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil: Nodozana heliae Moraes sp. nov. from Rio de Janeiro state and Epeiromulona pataxo Moraes & Aguiar sp. nov. from Bahia state. The male and female genitalia as well as the wing morphology were examined by means of non-destructive micro-CT, subsequent 3D model reconstruction, 360 degree spinning animations, 2D images from different angles, and those were compared against classical genitalia dissections from the same specimens. We conclude that techniques complement each other, micro-CT being particularly useful to study wing venation, sclerotized internal structures and muscles, while classical dissection is useful to study membranous structures, particularly in the female genitalia, abdominal skin and specialised scales on the male 8th sternite.

The butterflies (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea) of the Parque Estadual Intervales and surroundings, São Paulo, Brazil / As borboletas (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea) do Parque Estadual Intervales e arredores, São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract The Global South has witnessed increasing sampling of its immense biological diversity during the past century. However, the diversity of many regions remains unknown, even at pristine and highly threatened places, such as in the Atlantic Forest; and for bioindicator, umbrella, and flagship groups. The present study reports the first butterfly list of the Parque Estadual Intervales, São Paulo, Brazil and surroundings, a key protected area in the last massive continuous of the Atlantic Forest. We compiled data from museums and four years of field work, under three sampling methods. We also aimed at providing resources to support conservation efforts by analyzing 27 years of climatic data (detailed in the Supplementary Material, in English and in Portuguese), discussing our results also for non-academics, and producing scientific outreach and educational material. A companion article dealt with the experiences of science outreach and capacity development, and illustrated the butterfly catalogue of the species sampled in the park. We found 312 species that sum to 2,139 records. The museum had 229 species (432 records), and we sampled 142 species (1,682 individuals), in a total effort of 36,679 sampling hours (36,432 trap and 247 net and observation hours). The richest families were Nymphalidae (148 species) and Hesperiidae (100 species). Most species were sampled exclusively by active methods (79.8%), but other sources (passive sampling, citizen science, etc.) also found unique records. We found the highest diversity metrics from January to May, and we demonstrated that winter months had less richness and abundance. We illustrated the 20 species common to all regions, and listed those that were found more than seven months in the year, as well as the most abundant species in trap sampling, with forest dwellers as well as species common to open and fragmented areas. The dominant species in our trap datasets was the iridescent white morpho, Morpho epistrophus (Fabricius, 1796), and we suggest it to become the park butterfly mascot.

Resumo O Sul Global testemunhou crescente amostragem de sua imensa diversidade biológica durante o século passado. Entretanto, a diversidade de muitas regiões permanece desconhecida, mesmo em locais pristinos e altamente ameaçados, como na Mata Atlântica; e para grupos bioindicadores, guarda-chuva e emblemáticos. O presente estudo reporta a primeira lista de borboletas do Parque Estadual Intervales, São Paulo, Brasil e arredores, uma unidade de conservação chave no último maciço contínuo de Mata Atlântica. Compilamos dados de museus e quatro anos de campo, sob três métodos de amostragem. Também visamos oferecer recursos para apoiar os esforços de conservação, analisando 27 anos de dados climáticos (detalhados no Material Suplementar, em inglês e em português), discutindo nossos resultados numa linguagem também para não acadêmicos, e produzindo material de divulgação científica e educativos. Um artigo irmão tratou das experiências de divulgação científica e capacitação, e ilustrou o catálogo de borboletas das espécies amostradas no parque. Encontramos 312 espécies em 2.139 registros. O museu tinha 229 espécies (432 registros), e amostramos 142 espécies (1.682 indivíduos), em um esforço total de 36.679 horas de amostragem (36.432 armadilhas e 247 horas de rede e observação). As famílias mais ricas foram Nymphalidae (148 espécies) e Hesperiidae (100 espécies). A maioria das espécies foi amostrada exclusivamente por métodos ativos (79,8%), mas outras fontes (passiva, ciência cidadã, etc.) também encontraram registros únicos. Encontramos as maiores métricas de diversidade de janeiro a maio, e demonstramos que os meses de inverno tiveram menos riqueza e abundância. Ilustramos as 20 espécies comuns a todas as regiões, e listamos aquelas que foram encontradas em mais de sete meses no ano, bem como as espécies mais abundantes em armadilhas, com espécies florestais e também comuns em áreas abertas e fragmentadas. A espécie dominante em nossas armadilhas foi a morfo branca iridescente, Morpho epistrophus (Fabricius, 1796), e sugerimos que se torne a borboleta mascote do parque.

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Iguaçu National Park and surrounding areas in southern Brazil: a long-term survey, with six new records for the Brazilian fauna / As Borboletas (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) do Parque Nacional do Iguaçu e arredores no Sul do Brasil: um inventário de longo prazo, com seis novos registros para a fauna brasileira

Abstract Iguaçu National Park is the second largest (1852.62 km²) protected area in the Atlantic Forest domain and harbors the largest area of semideciduous seasonal forest in Brazil. In this study, we present 795 subspecies and 787 species of butterflies that occur in this protected area and its surrounding areas, collected over 15 years and ten months using different non-standardized sampling methods. We also searched for additional records in the literature, entomological collections, and citizen science platforms on the internet. Among the sampled taxa, six are recorded for the first time in Brazil: Emesis orichalceus Stichel, 1916, Theope p. pakitza Hall & Harvey, 1998 (Riodinidae), Elbella v. viriditas (Skinner, 1920), Apaustus gracilis ssp. n. (Hesperiidae), Deltaya sp. n. (Nymphalidae), and Symbiopsis sp. n. (Lycaenidae). Another six are listed as endangered in lists of butterflies of conservation concern. The records for some species significantly increase previously documented distributions.

Resumo O Parque Nacional do Iguaçu é a segunda maior Unidade de Conservação (1.852,62 km²) no domínio Mata Atlântica, abrigando a maior área de Floresta Estacional Semidecídua no Brasil. Neste estudo apresentamos uma lista com 795 subespécies e 787 espécies de borboletas que ocorrem nesta Unidade de Conservação e seus arredores, coligida ao longo de 15 anos e dez meses através do uso de diferentes métodos de amostragem não padronizados. Nós também procuramos por registros adicionais na literatura, coleções entomológicas e plataformas de ciência cidadã na internet. Dentre os táxons amostrados, seis são registrados pela primeira vez para o Brasil: Emesis orichalceus Stichel, 1916, Theope p. pakitza Hall & Harvey, 1998 (Riodinidae), Elbella v. viriditas (Skinner, 1920), Apaustus gracilis ssp. n. (Hesperiidae), Deltaya sp. n. (Nymphalidae) e Symbiopsis sp. n. (Lycaenidae). Outras seis espécies são consideradas ameaçadas de extinção em listas de borboletas de interesse para a conservação. Os registros de algumas espécies aumentam significativamente as suas distribuições previamente documentadas.

Biological Aspects and Movements of Neotropical Fruit-Feeding Butterflies.

The patterns of insect movement are the cumulate product of many individual decisions and can be shaped by the way morphology and behaviour interacts with landscape structure and composition. Hence, the ongoing process of habitat fragmentation increases the distance among suitable habitats and changes those in such a way that it may favour some movement behaviour. Our study described some biological traits (sex ratio, age structure and individual permanence in a population), as well as the movements of fruit-feeding butterflies along the horizontal dimension (among habitats: forest interior, natural forest transition - ecotone and anthropogenic forest transition - edge) and the vertical dimension (between canopy and understory). We sampled butterflies monthly over 1 year in the Atlantic rainforest, South-eastern Brazil, following a standardized design using bait traps. We found that sex ratio was male biased for five out of the six more abundant species and the age structure showed an increase in recruitment of new individuals in the dry season followed by a noticeable aging of the populations in the wet season. In general, our results revealed an aggregated spatial distribution, in which few individuals travelled long distances while most individuals were recaptured in the same trap, suggesting that all studied habitats currently provide the necessary conditions for the maintenance of butterfly populations, favouring fewer movements and narrow home ranges for both sexes and species. Conservation of a set of heterogeneous habitats it is especially important for the maintenance of sedentary butterflies and of those that move large distances.

The butterflies of Cristalino Lodge, in the Brazilian southern Amazonia: An updated species list with a significant contribution from citizen science / As borboletas do Cristalino Lodge, no sul da Amazônia: Uma lista atualizada de espécies com contribuição significativa da ciência cidadã

Abstract The richest butterfly communities in the world are found in the Amazon rainforest. Despite of this, and the importance of species inventories for the knowledge of diversity patterns, there are few comprehensive lists of butterflies for localities in the Brazilian Amazon. Here, we present an updated list of the butterflies of Cristalino Lodge (Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brazil), in southern Amazonia, based on specimens collected by researchers and photographic records taken by ecotourists, butterfly watchers, and tour guides. With 1010 species recorded, this is currently the largest list of butterflies published for a single locality in Brazil and the first to reach (and surpass) 1000 species, with more than one third of the records coming from citizen science. The region has about 29% of the butterfly species in Brazil and one of the greatest richnesses known in the country, inferior only to areas in the western Amazon. Its fauna is mainly composed of species widely distributed in lowland Amazonia, with the addition of some species typical of the Cerrado. It has a relatively low number of species of the tribe Ithomiini (Nymphalidae: Danainae), generally considered a good indicator of the total butterfly diversity in neotropical forests, which points to the need for caution when using a single taxonomic group as a surrogate of richness of entire communities. The present work highlights the importance of citizen science and ecotourism centers for inventories and data on species distribution in diverse tropical forests.

Resumo As comunidades de borboletas mais ricas do mundo são encontradas na Amazônia. Apesar disso, e da importância dos inventários de espécies para o conhecimento dos padrões de diversidade, existem poucas listas abrangentes de borboletas para localidades da Amazônia brasileira. Aqui, apresentamos uma lista atualizada das borboletas do Cristalino Lodge (Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brasil), no sul da Amazônia, baseada em espécimes coletados por pesquisadores e em registros fotográficos feitos por ecoturistas, observadores de borboletas e guias turísticos. Com 1010 espécies registradas, essa é atualmente a maior lista de borboletas publicada para uma localidade no Brasil e a primeira a atingir 1000 espécies, sendo mais de um terço dos registros provenientes da ciência cidadã. A região apresenta cerca de 29% das espécies de borboletas do Brasil e uma das maiores riquezas conhecidas no país, inferior apenas a áreas no oeste da Amazônia. Sua fauna é composta principalmente por espécies amplamente distribuídas na planície amazônica, com adição de algumas típicas do Cerrado. Possui um número relativamente baixo de espécies da tribo Ithomiini (Nymphalidae: Danainae), que é geralmente considerada uma boa indicadora da riqueza total de borboletas em florestas neotropicais, o que aponta para a necessidade de cautela ao se usar um grupo taxonômico como previsor da riqueza de comunidades inteiras. O presente trabalho destaca a importância da ciência cidadã e dos centros de ecoturismo para inventários e dados sobre distribuição de espécies em florestas tropicais diversas.

The contribution of the BIOTA/FAPESP Program to the advancement of the knowledge on terrestrial invertebrates / A contribuição do Programa BIOTA/FAPESP para o avanço no conhecimento sobre os invertebrados terrestres

Abstract The variability of the organisms living in a given area constitute what is referred to as biodiversity, one of nature's fundamental properties, responsible for the balance and stability of ecosystems. The loss of biodiversity has been of great concern to scientists, especially because of the role played by human activities in this regard, able to lead to irreversible circumstances. The São Paulo Research Foundation (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, FAPESP) plays a major role in supporting research efforts in the most diverse branches of science. In the late 1990´s, FAPESP launched a major program to promote research on biodiversity, named BIOTA/FAPESP. So far, this program has financed the conduction of 26 projects, involving research activities in most of Brazil, while focusing mainly the State of São Paulo. These projects have generated about 1140 publications in peer-reviewed journals of high standard, providing relevant information, including the original description of 1187 species and 76 genera, the complementary description of 350 species, as well as a number of inventory works, biological studies, etc. The program has also been instrumental in the establishment or adequacy of research facilities and training of new taxonomists. Most extensively studied groups of terrestrial invertebrates include Insecta of the orders Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera, and Arachnida of the subclasses Araneae and Acari. Distinct projects have also contributed to the detection of organisms potentially useful as biological control agents and in the determination of maps of major interest for the establishment of public policies. In the future, priority groups for study should include the Annelida and the Nematoda, for the potential both have as beneficial organisms, or for the potential some Nematoda have as organisms harmful to plants and animals.

Resumo A variabilidade dos organismos em uma determinada área constitui o que se denomina biodiversidade, uma das propriedades fundamentais da natureza, responsável pelo equilíbrio e estabilidade dos ecossistemas. A perda da biodiversidade tem sido uma grande preocupação para os cientistas, principalmente pelo papel desempenhado pelas atividades humanas, com potencial para desencadear circunstâncias irreversíveis. A Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) desempenha um papel importante no apoio às pesquisas nos mais diversos ramos da ciência. No final da década de 1990, a FAPESP lançou um grande programa de fomento à pesquisa em biodiversidade, denominado BIOTA/FAPESP. Até o momento, este programa financiou a realização de 26 projetos, envolvendo atividades na maior parte do Brasil, embora tenham como foco principal o estado de São Paulo. Esses projetos geraram cerca de 1.140 publicações em periódicos de alto impacto, fornecendo informações relevantes que incluem a descrição original de 1.187 espécies e 76 gêneros e a descrição complementar de 350 espécies, além de diversos trabalhos de inventário, estudos biológicos etc. O programa também tem sido fundamental para o estabelecimento ou adequação de instalações de pesquisa científica e o treinamento de novos taxonomistas. Os grupos de invertebrados terrestres mais estudados incluem os Insecta das ordens Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera e Diptera, e os Arachnida das subclasses Araneae e Acari. Projetos distintos também têm contribuído para a detecção de organismos potencialmente úteis como agentes de controle biológico e na determinação de mapas de áreas preferenciais para o estabelecimento de políticas públicas. No futuro, os grupos prioritários de estudo devem incluir os Annelida e os Nematoda, pelo potencial que ambos têm como organismos benéficos, ou pelo potencial que alguns Nematoda têm como organismos prejudiciais a plantas e animais.

The Chemistry and Chemical Ecology of Lepidopterans as Investigated in Brazil.

The interdisciplinary field of Chemical Ecology in Brazil is currently composed of groups that emerged through the pioneering studies of Keith Spalding Brown Jr. and José Tércio Barbosa Ferreira. Following Keith Brown 's steps, José Roberto Trigo continued investigating the role of plant natural products in mediating the association among insects and their host plants, mainly in the Order Lepidoptera. The role of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in those associations was investigated extensively by Brown and Trigo, and most of what is currently known on this subject is based on their studies. The present work acknowledges their contribution to the Brazilian chemical ecology field and on insect-plant communication studies mediated by different chemical compounds.

A new species of butterfly (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from the highlands of Southeastern Brazil.

A new species of the butterfly satyrine subtribe Euptychiina is described: Carminda surpresa sp. nov. This species is apparently restricted to high altitude wet grasslands in southeastern Brazil. The description is based on morphological features, mainly from the wings, and male and female genitalia, and molecular data were also obtained and are used to validate the new species. Information about the geographic distribution, habitat and immature stages morphology is also provided. The systematic position of C. surpresa sp. nov. is discussed based on a molecular analysis which includes all described species of Carminda in addition to other species of Satyrinae.

Revalidation of Vareuptychia Forster, 1964, description of Vanima gen. nov., and notes on Euptychia cleophes Godman amp; Salvin, 1889 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae).

Vareuptychia Forster, 1964 stat. rest. is revalidated and comprises two species, V. similis (Butler, 1867) comb. rest. and V. themis (Butler, 1867) comb. nov. Vanima Zacca, Casagrande Mielke gen. nov. is described to contain Euptychia labe Butler, 1870 (the type species), E. palladia Butler, 1867 and E. lesbia Staudinger, [1886]. The taxonomy of these two genera was initially revised based on morphological and distributional data, and subsequently tested and supported with a Maximum Likelihood analysis using four genes (COI, GAPDH, RpS5 and EF1-a). Lectotypes are designated for Euptychia similis Butler, 1867, E. themis Butler, 1867, E. undina Butler, 1870 and E. lesbia Staudinger, [1886]. No DNA sequences were obtained for Euptychia cleophes Godman Salvin, 1889 but its transfer to Megisto Hübner, [1819] is supported by morphological evidence. For all taxa treated in this study, a taxonomic catalog, diagnosis, (re)description and illustrations of adults, venation and genitalia are provided, as well as comments on intraspecific variation, sexual dichromatism, ecology and distribution maps.

The roles of hybridization and habitat fragmentation in the evolution of Brazil's enigmatic longwing butterflies, Heliconius nattereri and H. hermathena.

BACKGROUND: Heliconius butterflies are widely distributed across the Neotropics and have evolved a stunning array of wing color patterns that mediate Müllerian mimicry and mating behavior. Their rapid radiation has been strongly influenced by hybridization, which has created new species and allowed sharing of color patterning alleles between mimetic species pairs. While these processes have frequently been observed in widespread species with contiguous distributions, many Heliconius species inhabit patchy or rare habitats that may strongly influence the origin and spread of species and color patterns. Here, we assess the effects of historical population fragmentation and unique biology on the origins, genetic health, and color pattern evolution of two rare and sparsely distributed Brazilian butterflies, Heliconius hermathena and Heliconius nattereri. RESULTS: We assembled genomes and re-sequenced whole genomes of eight H. nattereri and 71 H. hermathena individuals. These species harbor little genetic diversity, skewed site frequency spectra, and high deleterious mutation loads consistent with recent population bottlenecks. Heliconius hermathena consists of discrete, strongly isolated populations that likely arose from a single population that dispersed after the last glacial maximum. Despite having a unique color pattern combination that suggested a hybrid origin, we found no genome-wide evidence that H. hermathena is a hybrid species. However, H. hermathena mimicry evolved via introgression, from co-mimetic Heliconius erato, of a small genomic region upstream of the color patterning gene cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Heliconius hermathena and H. nattereri population fragmentation, potentially driven by historical climate change and recent deforestation, has significantly reduced the genetic health of these rare species. Our results contribute to a growing body of evidence that introgression of color patterning alleles between co-mimetic species appears to be a general feature of Heliconius evolution.

Description of a new and highly distinctive genus and species of Euptychiina (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from the Brazilian southern Amazon

ABSTRACT A new genus and species of Euptychiina (Satyrinae), Cristalinaia vitoria Mota, Zacca & Freitas gen. et sp. nov., is described based on three specimens collected in the region of the Cristalino River, Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brazil. This rare species is known only from this region, where it flies inside the dense bamboo patches typical of that area. The last instar larva and the pupa are described; the larva was observed feeding on mature leaves of the common bamboo Guadua aff. paniculata Munro.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D61EDE8D-CAE9-41C6-B24D-BB789873566E

Immature stages of the Selaginella -feeding Euptychia mollina (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from the Brazilian Amazon

The present paper describes the immature stages of the Neotropical satyrine butterfly Euptychia mollina (Hübner, [1813]) from the Brazilian Amazon Forest. Eggs were laid singly on the under surface of the fronds of its host plant, Selaginella sp. (Briophyta: Selaginellaceae). Larvae are solitary in all instars, presenting a color pattern and shape that make them cryptic on its host plant. The pupa is short, smooth and varies from rusty brown to green. Despite the lack of a close phylogenetic relationship, larvae of Euptychia are very similar to those of the paleotropical satyrines Ragadia and Acrophtalmia, suggesting that camouflage is likely to be one of the factors explaining the similarities among them.(AU)

Immature stages of the Selaginella -feeding Euptychia mollina (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from the Brazilian Amazon

The present paper describes the immature stages of the Neotropical satyrine butterfly Euptychia mollina (Hübner, [1813]) from the Brazilian Amazon Forest. Eggs were laid singly on the under surface of the fronds of its host plant, Selaginella sp. (Briophyta: Selaginellaceae). Larvae are solitary in all instars, presenting a color pattern and shape that make them cryptic on its host plant. The pupa is short, smooth and varies from rusty brown to green. Despite the lack of a close phylogenetic relationship, larvae of Euptychia are very similar to those of the paleotropical satyrines Ragadia and Acrophtalmia, suggesting that camouflage is likely to be one of the factors explaining the similarities among them.

Equal but different: Natural ecotones are dissimilar to anthropic edges.

Increasing deforestation worldwide has expanded the interfaces between fragmented forests and non-forest habitats. Human-made edges are very different from the original forest cover, with different microclimatic conditions. Conversely, the natural transitions (i.e., ecotones) are distinct from human-made forest edges. The human-made forest edges are usually sharp associated with disturbances, with abrupt changes in temperature, humidity, luminosity and wind incidence towards the forest interior. However, the natural forest-lake ecotones, even when abrupt, are composed of a complex vegetal physiognomy, with canopy structures close to the ground level and a composition of herbaceous and arboreal species well adapted to this transition range. In the present study, fruit-feeding butterflies were used as models to investigate whether faunal assemblages in natural ecotones are more similar to the forest interior than to the anthropic edges. Butterflies were sampled monthly over one year in the Rio Doce State Park, Southeastern Brazil, following a standardized design using a total of 90 bait traps, in three different forest habitats (forest interior, forest ecotone and anthropic edges), in both canopy and understory. A total of 11,594 individuals from 98 butterfly species were collected (3,151 individuals from 79 species in the forest interior, 4,321 individuals from 87 species in the ecotone and 4,122 individuals from 83 species in the edge). The results indicated that the butterfly richness and diversity were higher in transition areas (ecotones and edges). The ecotone included a combination of butterfly species from the forest interior and from anthropic edges. However, species composition and dominance in the ecotone were similar to the forest interior in both vertical strata. These results suggest that human made forest edges are quite distinct from ecotones. Moreover, ecotones represent unique habitats accommodating species adapted to distinct ecological conditions, while anthropic edges accommodate only opportunistic species from open areas or upper canopies.

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of an urban park in northeastern Brazil / As borboletas (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) de um parque urbano do nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Despite being one of the groups most well studied in Brazil, the butterfly fauna of northeastern Brazil, especially north of the mouth of São Francisco River, is poorly known. The aim of this study was to inventory the butterfly fauna in a remnant of Atlantic Forest in the state of Pernambuco as a contribution to understanding the distribution of these insects. The study was carried out in a 384.7 hectares fragment of Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos, in the metropolitan region of Recife. The butterflies were sampled monthly with insect nets from August 2011 to July 2012 and from January to August 2016. Additional records were obtained from two entomological collections and from two previous visits to the area in July 2003 and August 2006. A total of 273 species was sampled in 464 hours, with an additional 15 species recorded from the Entomological Collections, totaling 288 butterfly species recorded. The richest family was Hesperiidae (108 species), followed by Nymphalidae (80), Lycaenidae (43) Riodinidae (37), Pieridae (16) and Papilionidae (4). The fauna was dominated by generalist species with a broad geographical distribution, many of them commonly found on open areas, forest edges and secondary vegetation. Roeberella lencates (Hewitson, 1875) and Pheles atricolor atricolor (Butler, 1871) (Riodinidae) represent new records for northeastern Brazil.

Resumo Apesar de ser um dos grupos mais bem estudados no Brasil, as borboletas da região Nordeste, especialmente ao norte da foz do Rio São Francisco, são ainda pouco conhecidas. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um inventário da fauna de borboletas em um fragmento de Floresta Atlântica no estado de Pernambuco, como uma contribuição para compreensão sobre a distribuição desses insetos. O estudo foi realizado em um fragmento de Floresta Atlântica de 384.7 hectares do Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos, localizado na região metropolitana de Recife. As borboletas foram amostradas mensalmente, de agosto de 2011 a julho de 2012 e de janeiro a agosto de 2016, com auxílio de redes entomológicas. Registros adicionais foram obtidos de duas Coleções Entomológicas e de duas coletas prévias em julho de 2003 e agosto de 2006. Um total de 273 espécies foi registrado em 464 horas e 15 espécies adicionais registradas a partir de Coleções Entomológicas, totalizando 288 espécies de borboletas registradas. A família mais rica foi Hesperiidae (108 espécies), seguida por Nymphalidae (80), Lycaenidae (43), Riodinidae (37), Pieridae (16) e Papilionidae (4). A fauna de borboletas foi dominada por espécies generalistas com uma ampla distribuição geográfica, muitas delas encontradas comumente em áreas abertas, bordas de mata e em vegetação secundária. Roeberella lencates (Hewitson, 1875) e Pheles atricolor atricolor (Butler, 1871) (Riodinidae) representam um novo registro para o Nordeste do Brasil.

Redescription of Yphthimoides patricia (Hayward, 1957), with taxonomic notes on the names Euptychia saltuensis Hayward, 1962 and Yphthimoides manasses (C. Felder R. Felder, 1867) (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae).

Euptychia saltuensis Hayward, 1962, new synonym, currently regarded as a nomen dubium and possibly a junior subjective synonym of Yphthimoides manasses (C. Felder R. Felder, 1867), is here treated as a junior subjective synonym of Yphthimoides patricia (Hayward, 1957), based on morphological characters of the male genitalia and the DNA barcode. The taxonomic status of Y. patricia is re-examined, and a detailed redescription of the adult morphology, including the male genitalia, is presented. Information on the distribution, habitat and immature stages of Y. patricia is also provided. Yphthimoides patricia is clearly a distinct species from Y. manasses based on the analysis of DNA barcode sequences and the morphology of the male genitalia.

Before it is too late: description of a new genus and species of butterfly from a highly threatened Brazilian biome

Abstract A new genus, Nhambikuara Freitas, Barbosa & Zacca gen. nov., and species, Nhambikuara cerradensis Freitas, Barbosa & Zacca sp. nov., of the highly diverse Neotropical butterfly subtribe Euptychiina are described. Nhambikuara cerradensis sp. nov. is the type species for the genus, and Euptychia mima Butler, 1867 is also transferred to the new genus, as Nhambikuara mima (Butler, 1867) comb. nov., from the genus Zischkaia Forster, 1964. The taxonomy, phylogenetic relationships, geographic distribution and natural history of species of the genus are also discussed.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:41AD7568-3490-4F63-A019-32D5592A8C44