云南高黎贡山地区蝴蝶群落多样性

位于滇西北的高黎贡山是全球生物多样性研究和保护的热点地区之一, 然而该地区昆虫多样性缺乏系统调查和总结。本研究聚焦蝴蝶类群, 考虑该区域高山峡谷特点, 结合海拔梯度、生境类型和季节变化, 采用样线法调查、分析蝴蝶物种多样性及群落结构变化。结果显示: 共观测记录到蝴蝶2,055只, 隶属于5科85属151种, 在历史记录上新增27种, 使该地区已知蝴蝶种类达488种; 其中蛱蝶科物种多样性最高, 灰蝶科次之, 凤蝶科最低。蝴蝶群落多样性分析结果表明: 中海拔1,000-2,000 m区域种类丰富、多样性指数最高; 低海拔区蝴蝶分布明显聚集, 并且与高海拔地区空间上分离, 少有重叠。该地区不同生境中蝴蝶的种类及数量差异也较大, 物种数及多样性指数在自然保护区最高、边缘交错带居中及农业种植区最低。此外, 蝴蝶的种类和数量也存在季节差异, 春季调查到的个体数少, 夏季观察到的物种数少, 两年秋季调查到的物种丰富度、多样性均高, 但存在季节内变化。总之, 高黎贡山地区不同海拔、生境、季节间和季节内蝴蝶群落组成有自身特点, 共存物种有限, 蝴蝶群落相似性低。综合评估分布于该地区的蝴蝶保护种类, 包括易危种17种、近危种50种, 有国家二级保护蝴蝶3种。本研究弄清了高黎贡山地区蝴蝶的物种本底, 并调查获得其多样性随海拔、生境和季节变化的模式, 为加强区域物种多样性监测、保护生物多样性提供了科学依据。     

宁夏贺兰山自然保护区蝴蝶群落多样性及其环境影响因子

宁夏贺兰山自然保护区蝴蝶群落多样性及其与环境因素的关系,2017年5-9月采用样线法对贺兰山东麓6类生境和不同干扰类型10条样线的蝴蝶群落结构及其多样性季节动态进行调查。共记录蝴蝶5科36属45种,蛱蝶科Nymphalidae的属和物种数最多,为17属19种;凤蝶科Papilionidae最少,仅1属1种。菜粉蝶Pieris rapae、云粉蝶Pontia daplidice、斑缘豆粉蝶Colias erate和小檗绢粉蝶Aporia hippia是该地区的优势种,个体数量分别占总个体数的11.76%、11.63%、11.21%和10.17%。不同生境样线优势类群和常见类群不同。蝴蝶的栖息地偏好与寄主植物有关,蝴蝶的生境分布类型可分为生境广布型、湿润平原型、荒漠半荒漠草原型和山地森林型。蝴蝶群落Shannon-Wiener多样性和丰富度指数以灰榆疏林草地生境最高,优势度最低。各物种在生境内的季节变化趋势与不同生境植被生长季节相关,高峰期为7-8月。不同调查时间蝴蝶的优势种和常见种不同。物种数以7月份调查最多,有33种,占全年调查总物种数的73.33%;5月份调查最少,有20种。蝴蝶群落Shannon-Wiener多样性和丰富度指数以8月份最大,5月份最小。蝴蝶成虫发生类型分为全年发生型、春季型、夏季型和夏秋季型。不同生境和季节发生的优势种可以作为对生境状况进行评估的指示类群。采用CCA分析物种分布与微环境因子的关系,海拔对蝴蝶物种多样性分布格局有显著影响。蝴蝶丰富度与海拔、温度、风速显著正相关。适度干扰有利于蝶类多样性增加,较强的人为干扰会影响蝶类栖息环境,降低蝶类多样性。因此,生境差异性和干扰与蝴蝶群落的物种多样性密切相关,维持贺兰山垂直植被带的生境异质性和保持适度干扰是保护蝴蝶多样性的关键。     

新疆东部天山蝶类多样性及其垂直分布

2006-2008年研究了新疆东部天山蝶类多样性和垂直分布.结果表明:研究区域内共记录蝴蝶7科43属63种,占新疆已记录蝶类种数的24.80％,区系组成主要是古北种,占73％;其次是广布种,占27％,没有发现东洋种.其中蛱蝶科的物种数最多,为11属19种,蚬蝶科的物种数最少,只有1属1种.按海拔将生境分为5个垂直自然带,包括低山灌木草原带、山地森林草原带、亚高山草甸带、高山草甸带、垫状植被带.蝶类物种数和个体数排序为亚高山草甸带＞山地森林草原带＞低山灌木草原带＞高山草甸带＞垫状植被带.采用Shannon-Wiener指数和G-F指数对蝶类物种和科、属的多样性进行了分析评价,结果显示亚高山草甸带的蝶类多样性最为丰富,其次是山地森林草原带和低山灌木草原带,而高山草甸带和垫状植被带的蝶类多样性相对较低,物种和科、属多样性分析结果均一致.蝶类垂直分布明显,物种数和个体数随海拔变化的趋势类似,均为先增加后下降.蝶类区系成分随着海拔升高发生改变,广布种的比例逐渐降低,高山草甸带和垫状植被带只有古北种分布.研究结果显示,生境改变对蝴蝶群落影响明显,保护生境是保护蝴蝶生存的最主要措施.     

新疆农田系统瓢虫资源调查与多样性研究

为全面了解新疆农田系统瓢虫资源组成以及多样性结构差异,本研究采用网捕法于2018年、2019年连续两年对新疆11个地州50个县/市/区15种农作物生境的406个采集点开展了瓢虫资源系统调查.结果表明:共获7001号瓢虫标本,隶属3亚科13属26种,其中多异瓢虫Hippodamia variegata为绝对优势种类,其个体数量占比达55.11％,深点食螨瓢虫Stethorus punctillum、龟纹瓢虫Propylea japonica等10种为常见种;不同生境瓢虫群落多样性分析显示,苜蓿田和麦田的丰富度指数(5.598150、7.546581)、多样性指数(0.874884、0.708508)、均匀度指数(0.661678、0.544575)都较高,但优势度指数则分别仅为0.224261、0.342884;大豆田和西瓜田的多样性指数、丰富度指数以及均匀度指数均显著低于其他生境类型(P<0.05),但优势度指数远高于其他生境,为0.663091、0.658502,可见苜蓿田、麦田等生境瓢虫物种数和个体数量丰富,且分布均匀,而大豆田和西瓜田种类相对贫乏,且分布不均匀;不同地州的瓢虫群落多样性分析显示,伊犁州的丰富度指数(7.363638)、多样性指数(0.970345)、均匀度指数(0.712583)都较高,但优势度指数仅为0.135821;阿克苏地区的多样性指数、丰富度指数以及均匀度指数都显著低于其他地州,但优势度指数远高于其他地州,为0.663477,可见伊犁州的瓢虫物种数和个体数量丰富,且分布均匀,而阿克苏地区种类相对贫乏,且分布不均匀;不同海拔带瓢虫群落多样性分析则显示,300 m～1300 m海拔区间农田瓢虫群落多样性指数和丰富度指数显著高于其它海拔区间,且低海拔(-130 m～300 m)或高海拔(1600 m～2800 m)区间的瓢虫群落丰富度和多样性指数较低,但优势度较高,这表明300 m～1300 m海拔区间内瓢虫种类比较丰富,而在低海拔或高海拔区间农田生境内的瓢虫物种贫乏,个体数量也比较少.本研究基本明确了新疆农田系统瓢虫资源组成及多样性,揭示了其生态系统和生物多样性保护中的重要价值,同时为生物防治提供了丰富捕食性天敌瓢虫资源.     

长白山北坡不同海拔及干扰程度下访花食蚜蝇群落的差异

本研究采用垂直面取样法,对中国长白山北坡不同海拔及干扰程度下访花食蚜蝇群落的物种组成、多度、丰富度及多样性进行了调查研究。我们选择了不同垂直带的两个样地,分别位于800~1 100 m和1 750 ~2 150 m;每个样地选取3种生境类型,每一生境类型采样面积为20 m×20 m。252组调查数据表明,共采到访花食蚜蝇42种2 540个体。不同海拔生境访花食蚜蝇的组成、多度、丰富度及多样性的差异分析结果表明: 低海拔样地内不同生境访花食蚜蝇的群落相似性高于高海拔样地;低海拔样地访花食蚜蝇的多度高于高海拔样地,而物种丰富度低于高海拔样地;不同生境类型访花食蚜蝇多样性指数存在差异,但高海拔样地与低海拔样地多样性差异不显著;过渡林生境（岳桦林带）与次生林生境（针阔混交林带Ⅱ）中访花食蚜蝇的多样性较高。保护珍稀植物物种的人工植物花园访花食蚜蝇多样性仅次于过渡林生境（岳桦林带）与次生林生境（针阔混交林带Ⅱ）,保护作用显著。     

海拔高度对江油地区杉木人工林群落结构和物种多样性的影响

物种多样性是群落功能复杂性和稳定性的重要量度指标,海拔高度是影响物种多样性的重要因素。该实验采用典型样地法,在800~900m(低海拔)和1 100~1 200m(高海拔)2个海拔高度分别取4个20m×20m的样地,对江油地区的杉木人工林群落结构和物种多样性进行研究,采用物种丰富度指数(D)、Shannon-Wienner多样性指数(H)、Simpson优势度指数(H′)和均匀度指数(Jsw)来综合衡量不同海拔杉木人工林群落的物种多样性。结果表明:(1)组成江油杉木人工林的物种共计205种,分属66科177属;低海拔地区乔木7种,灌木54种,草本47种;高海拔地区乔木10种,灌木60种,草本41种。(2)低海拔和高海拔的木本植物组成无明显差异,草本层的物种组成有明显差异。(3)群落各层次的物种多样性指数在低海拔和高海拔都表现为:灌木层草本层乔木层,乔木层的各项指数最低;物种多样性指数随海拔升高在特定区间内表现出一定规律性,D、H和Jsw值总体上呈高海拔低海拔,H′则相反,表明高海拔杉木人工林物种多样性和物种在群落中分布的均匀度都有增加的趋势,这与高海拔受人为干扰较轻以及环境因子的变化等密切相关。     

地形对贺兰山步甲群落物种多样性分布格局的影响

【目的】步甲是主要栖息于地表的种类最丰富的昆虫类群之一,它们对生境的变化更为敏感。分析地形因子对贺兰山步甲昆虫群落物种多样性分布格局的影响,以期揭示步甲昆虫物种多样性分布格局形成和稳定的机制。【方法】2015年7-8月选取贺兰山山地针叶林、山地疏林、山地灌丛、山地草原和浅山荒漠5种生境98个样地,用杯诱法对步甲群落物种组成和多样性进行调查,并采用典范对应分析(CCA)分析物种多样性指数和物种分布与地形因子之间的关系,运用广义可加模型(GAM)拟合不同生境步甲群落多样性指数对海拔梯度的响应曲线,探讨贺兰山步甲群落物种多样性的垂直分布格局。【结果】共采集步甲昆虫21属65种10 989头,其中,直角通缘步甲Pterostichus gebleri和径婪步甲Harpalus salinus为优势种,其个体数量分别占总捕获个体数的44.93%和11.33%。山地疏林生境步甲物种丰富度最高,山地针叶林的步甲Shannon-Wiener多样性指数最高,浅山荒漠的步甲均匀度最高。海拔、坡向、坡度、剖面曲率和地形湿度指数的综合作用对步甲物种多样性分布格局有显著影响。其中,海拔对5种生境的步甲分布影响均显著,且解释力度最高;坡向对山地针叶林和浅山荒漠步甲分布影响显著。步甲总体丰富度和个体数量与海拔呈不对称的单峰曲线关系,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数随海拔呈先递增后保持稳定的变化,均匀度指数与海拔呈"V"型变化趋势。【结论】贺兰山山地步甲物种多样性的分布格局受海拔为主的多种地形因子综合作用的影响。     

新疆吉木萨尔县蝴蝶群落多样性

蝴蝶作为指示生物, 被广泛地应用于生物多样性监测及环境质量评估。探究新疆吉木萨尔县蝴蝶群落多样性, 可为当地蝴蝶多样性的保护及环境监测提供基础数据。本研究采用样线法在新疆吉木萨尔县选取山前荒漠、农田、山地草原、山地森林、亚高山草甸5种不同的生境类型, 对蝴蝶种类和群落多样性进行调查。共记录蝴蝶4,401号, 隶属于7科26属38种。其中蛱蝶科有9属12种, 为优势科; 粉蝶科的个体数最多, 占比55.01%; 绢蝶科、凤蝶科和弄蝶科的种类数和个体数最少, 均为单科种, 是该地区的稀有类群。对不同生境蝴蝶群落多样性和相似度分析比较的结果显示: 5种生境中多样性指数从高到低依次为亚高山草甸、山地森林、山地草原、农田及山前荒漠, 其中山地森林和亚高山草甸的相似性系数较高, 达到0.77, 山前荒漠和山地草原的相似性系数最低, 为0.37。蝴蝶物种数及多样性指数随海拔的增加呈上升趋势。蝴蝶群落随月份发生变化, 蝴蝶种类和数量在5月发生、7月达到峰值。蝶类个体数在3年内呈下降趋势。研究结果表明, 蝴蝶物种的组成和多样性与生境类型具有密切联系, 保护生态环境, 维持该地区植物群落的多样性、降低人为干扰程度是保护蝶类多样性的关键。     

贡嘎山东坡非飞行小型兽类物种多样性的垂直分布格局

为了解贡嘎山地区物种多样性的垂直分布格局,2010年4—9月利用夹日法对贡嘎山东坡非飞行小型兽类的物种多样性进行了详细调查。调查在海拔1200—4000m之间按400m间隔设置了8个采集样地,累计布夹28800夹次,捕获非飞行小型兽类个体701个,观察记录到松鼠个体25个,共调查记录小兽个体726个,分属于3目6科16属25种。非参数估计的物种丰富度Chao2和Jackknife2指数以及物种累积曲线评估表明本次调查取样充分,能很好地反映该地区非飞行小型兽类物种多样性的垂直分布格局。结果表明:非飞行小型兽类物种多样性的垂直分布格局为单峰模型;物种丰富度和物种多度在中海拔地区最高,在低海拔和高海拔地区较低;相反,物种均匀度在中海拔地区较低,在低海拔和高海拔地区较高;而物种优势度则随着海拔的升高而逐渐增加;Shannon-Wiener、Fisher-α、Margalef三个综合性物种多样性指数均显示物种多样性在中海拔地区最高;与其它多样性指数相比,Simpson指数未能很好地反映出不同海拔段群落物种多样性的垂直分布差异;而与Shannon-Wiener和Simpson指数相比,Fisher-α和Margalef指数对不同物种组成的群落多样性区分较好。同时,基于不同海拔段物种组成的聚类分析结果也表明物种多样性在中海拔地区最高。物种多样性在中海拔地区最高的垂直分布模式提示我们在贡嘎山地区的生物多样性保护和生态管理中应特别重视中海拔地段,因为该地段中居于生态食物链中间位置的小兽物种最丰富,是山地生物多样性保护的关键。此外,规范统一的调查方法将有利于研究数据的整合和减少人为因素带来的误差。     

农业景观步甲多样性时间格局及其与景观结构的关系

于2009年5-9月在北京密云县采用陷阱法对玉米地、花生地、果园和林地4种生境中步甲群落进行取样,并采用逐步线性回归分析了景观中优势生境类型——玉米地中步甲群落及其捕食性步甲功能群多样性的季节分布,及其与周围100、250和500 m半径范围内景观格局指数的关系.结果表明:不同生境下,8月步甲群落、捕食性步甲类群的个体数和物种数均达到最大;5月玉米地中步甲群落的物种数与取样点100 m半径范围内的景观连接度呈正相关,8月步甲群落个体数和500 m半径范围内的景观连接度呈负相关;5月玉米地中捕食性步甲群落不论是个体数还是物种数均与取样点100 m半径范围内景观连接度呈正相关,而8月捕食性步甲的物种数则与100 m尺度范围内的半自然生境的类型数呈负相关.可见,景观连接度、半自然生境的类型数对步甲及其中捕食性步甲群落动态的关键季节的多样性状况有显著影响,合理规划农田半自然用地类型组成、增加景观连接度可促进步甲群落多样性保护及其害虫生物控制功能的发挥.     

The differences of butterfly (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea) communities in habitats with various degrees of disturbance and altitudes in tropical forests of Vietnam

A survey was conducted on the species composition, richness and abundance of Papilionoidea (excluding Lycaenidae) butterfly fauna in habitats with various degrees of disturbance and altitudes in tropical forests at Tam Dao National Park, northern Vietnam in 2001. The transect method was used to collect data in the survey. Six transects representing different habitat types at two sites, one site located at a low elevation of 200–250 m a.s.l., and the other located at a high elevation of 950–1000 m a.s.l., were chosen: three transects for each site, with a length of 500 m for each transect. A total of 3594 individuals of 127 species in 240 sets of data were recorded from various habitats. The differences in butterfly composition, species richness, abundance and diversity in different habitat types and altitudes were analyzed. The results showed significant differences of butterfly diversity among the different habitat types and between the low and high altitude sites. The butterfly diversity, species richness and species abundance in the low elevation habitats were higher than in the high elevation habitats. The highest diversity of butterflies occurred in the mixed habitats of agriculture, scrub and clearing lands of high disturbance. However, butterflies most important for conservation are associated with undisturbed or moderately disturbed forests only.     

Butterfly diversity and historical land cover change along an altitudinal gradient

Land cover and climate change are both major threats for biodiversity. In mountain ecosystems species have to adapt to fragmented habitats and harsh environmental conditions but so far, altitudinal effects in combination with land cover change have been rarely studied. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of altitude and historical land cover change on butterfly diversity. We studied species richness patterns of butterflies occuring in wetlands and other open habitats along an altitudinal gradient in a low mountain region (340–750 m a.s.l., Bavaria, Germany) with drastic loss of open habitats within the last 40–60 years. We recorded in 27 sites a total of 4,523 individuals of 49 butterfly species and five species of burnet moths. Species richness peaked at mid elevation and increased with patch size. Land cover change was most pronounced at high altitudes, but neither current open habitats, nor the historical loss of open habitats affected the species richness of butterflies. Neither open land specialized butterflies nor generalist and forest species were significantly affected by the loss of open habitats. However, increasing forest area in high altitudes reduces possible refuge open habitats for butterflies at their thermal distribution limits. This could lead to extinction of such butterfly species when temperatures further rise due to global warming.     

新疆西天山峡谷海拔梯度上野核桃种群统计与谱分析

为了掌握国家Ⅱ级渐危植物新疆野核桃种群的现存状态、预测未来种群的发展趋势,在野核桃自然保护区4条沟谷的不同海拔分别设置样地进行大样本调查.以胸径级结构代表年龄结构,采用匀滑技术编制野核桃种群静态生命表,应用谱分析方法分析野核桃种群的波动周期.结果表明: 野核桃种群的胸径级随着海拔的升高逐渐减小,海拔1241～1380 m (H₁)为19个龄级,最大胸径91.7 cm,海拔1381～1490 m (H₂)为18个龄级,最大胸径82.8 cm,海拔1491～1670 m(H₃)为13个龄级,最大胸径58.9 cm.不同海拔梯度生境同一龄级及同一海拔梯度不同龄级野核桃的期望寿命均存在波动.在3个海拔梯度生境,野核桃种群的存活曲线均趋于Deevey-Ⅱ型,呈增长型年龄结构,有3个死亡高峰,最高死亡率H₁和H₃均为9龄级,分别为55.9%和89.8%,H₂为12龄级,最高死亡率为79.4%.种群的数量动态变化明显受野核桃种群整个生命周期生物学特征的基波影响,并具有大周期内多谐波迭加的小周期波动特征.野核桃为长寿命树种,是野核桃自然保护区植被的主要优势种,现时种群自然更新良好,若无强烈人为干扰或严重自然灾害,将在群落中长期保持优势种地位.     

Community Structure of Skipper Butterflies (Lepidoptera,Hesperiidae) along Elevational Gradients in Brazilian Atlantic Forest Reflects Vegetation Type Rather than Altitude

Species turnover across elevational gradients has matured into an important paradigm of community ecology. Here, we tested whether ecological and phylogenetic structure of skipper butterfly assemblages is more strongly structured according to altitude or vegetation type along three elevation gradients of moderate extent in Serra do Mar, Southern Brazil. Skippers were surveyed along three different mountain transects, and data on altitude and vegetation type of every collection site were recorded. NMDS ordination plots were used to assess community turnover and the influence of phylogenetic distance between species on apparent community patterns. Ordinations based on ecological similarity (Bray-Curtis index) were compared to those based on phylogenetic distance measures (MPD and MNTD) derived from a supertree. In the absence of a well-resolved phylogeny, various branch length transformation methods were applied together with four different null models, aiming to assess if results were confounded by low-resolution trees. Species composition as well as phylogenetic community structure of skipper butterflies were more prominently related to vegetation type instead of altitude per se. Phylogenetic distances reflected spatial community patterns less clearly than species composition, but revealed a more distinct fauna of monocot feeders associated with grassland habitats, implying that historical factors have played a fundamental role in shaping species composition across elevation gradients. Phylogenetic structure of community turned out to be a relevant additional tool which was even superior to identify faunal contrasts between forest and grassland habitats related to deep evolutionary splits. Since endemic skippers tend to occur in grassland habitats in the Serra do Mar, inclusion of phylogenetic diversity may also be important for conservation decisions.     

Plants,Birds and Butterflies: Short-Term Responses of Species Communities to Climate Warming Vary by Taxon and with Altitude

As a consequence of climate warming, species usually shift their distribution towards higher latitudes or altitudes. Yet, it is unclear how different taxonomic groups may respond to climate warming over larger altitudinal ranges. Here, we used data from the national biodiversity monitoring program of Switzerland, collected over an altitudinal range of 2500 m. Within the short period of eight years (2003–2010), we found significant shifts in communities of vascular plants, butterflies and birds. At low altitudes, communities of all species groups changed towards warm-dwelling species, corresponding to an average uphill shift of 8 m, 38 m and 42 m in plant, butterfly and bird communities, respectively. However, rates of community changes decreased with altitude in plants and butterflies, while bird communities changed towards warm-dwelling species at all altitudes. We found no decrease in community variation with respect to temperature niches of species, suggesting that climate warming has not led to more homogenous communities. The different community changes depending on altitude could not be explained by different changes of air temperatures, since during the 16 years between 1995 and 2010, summer temperatures in Switzerland rose by about 0.07°C per year at all altitudes. We discuss that land-use changes or increased disturbances may have prevented alpine plant and butterfly communities from changing towards warm-dwelling species. However, the findings are also consistent with the hypothesis that unlike birds, many alpine plant species in a warming climate could find suitable habitats within just a few metres, due to the highly varied surface of alpine landscapes. Our results may thus support the idea that for plants and butterflies and on a short temporal scale, alpine landscapes are safer places than lowlands in a warming world.     

赛罕乌拉自然保护区蝶类多样性及其影响因素

为了解赛罕乌拉自然保护区蝶类多样性及其影响因素, 我们于2017年5-9月分别对保护区的典型草原、湿地、山地沟谷草甸、退化草原、农田、山地旱生灌丛、山地中生灌丛等7种生境中的蝴蝶进行观测调查。共记录和采集蝴蝶2,290只, 隶属5科42属63种。蛱蝶科的种类数(34种)和个体数(991只)最多。柑橘凤蝶(Papilio xuthus)、云粉蝶(Pontia daplidice)、绢粉蝶(Aporia crataegi)、荨麻蛱蝶(Aglais urticae)、银斑豹蛱蝶(Speyeria aglaja)等5种为保护区的优势种。保护区蝶类群落的种-多度曲线呈正态分布模式, 表明保护区生态环境良好, 生境相互重叠, 蝶类活动范围在不同生境中可以延伸。不同生境中蝶类群落种类及数量存在一定差异, 其中山地中生灌丛蝶类群落的多样性指数最高, 优势度指数最低; 退化草原的多样性指数和物种丰富度指数均为最低, 优势度指数最高; 山地沟谷草甸的科、属、种、个体数最多; 退化草原的科、属、种、个体数都是最少。区系组成分析表明广布种占63.49%, 古北种占36.51%。保护区不同生境中蝶类群落多样性特征指数在各月份间有明显差异, 蝴蝶种类及个体数与温度之间呈显著正相关, 与降雨量无显著相关性。综上, 我们认为适当的干扰有利于蝶类多样性发展, 而强烈的人为干扰会严重破坏草场环境, 影响蝶类生存和繁衍, 降低蝶类多样性。     

Species richness and trait composition of butterfly assemblages change along an altitudinal gradient

Species richness patterns along altitudinal gradients are well-documented ecological phenomena, yet very little data are available on how environmental filtering processes influence the composition and traits of butterfly assemblages at high altitudes. We have studied the diversity patterns of butterfly species at 34 sites along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 600 to 2,000 m a.s.l. in the National Park Berchtesgaden (Germany) and analysed traits of butterfly assemblages associated with dispersal capacity, reproductive strategies and developmental time from lowlands to highlands, including phylogenetic analyses. We found a linear decline in butterfly species richness along the altitudinal gradient, but the phylogenetic relatedness of the butterfly assemblages did not increase with altitude. Compared to butterfly assemblages at lower altitudes, those at higher altitudes were composed of species with larger wings (on average 9 %) which laid an average of 68 % more eggs. In contrast, egg maturation time in butterfly assemblages decreased by about 22 % along the altitudinal gradient. Further, butterfly assemblages at higher altitudes were increasingly dominated by less widespread species. Based on our abundance data, but not on data in the literature, population density increased with altitude, suggesting a reversed density–distribution relationship, with higher population densities of habitat specialists in harsh environments. In conclusion, our data provide evidence for significant shifts in the composition of butterfly assemblages and for the dominance of different traits along the altitudinal gradient. In our study, these changes were mainly driven by environmental factors, whereas phylogenetic filtering played a minor role along the studied altitudinal range.