Mites (Acari) associated to Myrtaceae in areas of Cerrado in the State of São Paulo with faunistic analysis of families Tarsonemidae and Phytoseiidae

The objective of this study was to determine and to analyse the diversity of mites on native Myrtaceae of the "Cerrado" vegetation type of the State of S?o Paulo, with particular attention to the families Phytoseiidae and Tarsonemidae. In the year 2000, mites were collected from Myrtaceae species in three "Cerrado" areas in the State of S?o Paulo. Samples of leaves, flowers and fruits were taken from three plant of each species in each site. Mites of 49 genera belonging to 14 families were found. Fourteen phytoseiid species of nine genera and 19 tarsonemid species of six genera were collected. The most abundant phytoseiids were Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma, Transeius bellottii (Moraes & Mesa) and Amblyseius acalyphus Denmark & Muma. The most abundant tarsonemids were Daidalotarsonemus tesselatus DeLeon, Daidalotarsonemus folisetae Lofego & Ochoa and Metatarsonemus megasolenidii Lofego & Ochoa. The highest indexes of diversity of phytoseiids and tarsonemids were observed in the fall; the lowest indexes were found in the winter for phytoseiids and in the spring for tarsonemids. Taking into consideration the total number of phytoseiids and tarsonemids collected in this work, the corresponding indexes of diversity (Shannon) were similar and close to 2.0. Different predatory mite species prevailed on distinct plant species, indicating the complementariness of the latter as reservoirs of the former.     

Identifying airborne fungi in Seoul,Korea using metagenomics

Fungal spores are widespread and common in the atmosphere. In this study, we use a metagenomic approach to study the fungal diversity in six total air samples collected from April to May 2012 in Seoul, Korea. This springtime period is important in Korea because of the peak in fungal spore concentration and Asian dust storms, although the year of this study (2012) was unique in that were no major Asian dust events. Clustering sequences for operational taxonomic unit (OTU) identification recovered 1,266 unique OTUs in the combined dataset, with between 223?96 OTUs present in individual samples. OTUs from three fungal phyla were identified. For Ascomycota, Davidiella (anamorph: Cladosporium) was the most common genus in all samples, often accounting for more than 50% of all sequences in a sample. Other common Ascomycota genera identified were Alternaria, Didymella, Khuskia, Geosmitha, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. While several Basidiomycota genera were observed, Chytridiomycota OTUs were only present in one sample. Consistency was observed within sampling days, but there was a large shift in species composition from Ascomycota dominant to Basidiomycota dominant in the middle of the sampling period. This marked change may have been caused by meteorological events. A potential set of 40 allergyinducing genera were identified, accounting for a large proportion of the diversity present (22.5?7.2%). Our study identifies high fungal diversity and potentially high levels of fungal allergens in springtime air of Korea, and provides a good baseline for future comparisons with Asian dust storms.     

Fungus diversity in revegetated paddocks compared with remnant woodland in a south‐eastern Australian agricultural landscape

Summary Despite the importance of fungi for restoration, their presence in revegetated sites has received little attention. We compared the diversity and composition of macrofungi (i.e. those that form fleshy mushrooms and truffles) in 12 sites where 3‐to‐6‐year‐old native trees and shrubs had been planted (woodland restoration sites), with that in six woodland remnants. All sites were within an agricultural landscape near Holbrook in New South Wales. Of 58 fungal genera recorded, 57% occurred in woodland restoration sites and 83% in nearby patches of remnant woodland. Of the genera found in restoration sites, 70% were also found in the woodland remnants. The dominance of early successional genera such as Lacceria and Scleroderma in restoration sites suggests windblown colonisation by fungi. The reduced proportion of hypogeous genera (truffles) that rely on mammal vectors, which are less likely to occur in the restoration sites, also supports the view that most fungi occurred in restoration through colonisation rather than being generated from soil spores. Greatest overall fungal diversity occurred in large remnants that had greater structural complexity. Across all sites, epigeous genera (mushrooms) were most common (78% of all taxa collected across 46 genera) and of the nutritional modes, mycorrhizal genera (forming symbiotic associations with plants) were the most common (206 collections, 71%, 25 genera). Both hypogeous and mycorrhizal fungi were positively associated with the diversity of native forb species (wildflowers), suggesting that lower fungal diversity in restoration sites is likely to be a consequence of long‐term agricultural practices, particularly fertilizer use.     

Distributional patterns of jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) in Australia

Aim To analyse observed and predicted distributional patterns of selected salticid genera in Australia and to examine these distributions in the light of the origins and attributes of the fauna. To detect and compare the locations of regional hotspots when measured using different scales. Location Australia. Methods A total of 4104 locality records for specimens of 51 genera were stored in BioLink. Maps of observed and predicted (using bioclim ) distributions were prepared for each genus. The predicted distributions were combined to provide estimates of the number of genera likely to be found at each locality in the raster and for each of a set of landscape regions across Australia. The predictions were tested by comparing them with independent data sets. Results The Australian salticid fauna consists of radiations based on Oriental, Papuan and possibly Gondwanan forms, plus pantropical and peridomestic species. The predicted distributions of genera fall into a limited number of categories and these reflect the traditional biogeographical regions of Australia. Maximum regional diversity is predicted for central eastern Queensland, though diversity at single locations is highest further south in the New South Wales/Queensland border region. The locations of hotspots are therefore scale dependent. Patterns of distribution are not simply related to particular lifestyles. Fewer genera were predicted from inland Australia; however, recent work has shown that there are a large number of undescribed genera in the drier parts of Australia. The prediction maps allowed lists of genera potentially present in unstudied areas to be developed. Main conclusions (1) The current distribution of genera is predicted by their bioclimatic profiles rather than by their origins or ecology. Some Oriental genera, however, have not reached south‐western Western Australia, though bioclimatic conditions there are predicted to be suitable for them; (2) the highest diversity of genera is predicted to be in south‐eastern Queensland; (3) the results highlight the shortcomings of past fieldwork in Australia, which has concentrated on the areas with higher rainfall; (4) it seems likely that inland Australia will support a large, highly endemic, fauna adapted to the region, and ultimately perhaps 40 or more genera could be found in each region; (5) the results show the possibility of using the maps of predicted distribution of genera not only for biogeographical analyses but also for conservation management and survey purposes.     

云南地区种子植物多样性分布格局和多样性分化特点研究

利用大尺度的植物分布信息结合地理信息系统和数理统计分析,探讨了云南种子植物多样性的地理分布格局和多样性分化特点。结果表明,从科到属和种,植物多样性和区系分化强度的数据集离散程度均呈递增趋势。相对属和种而言,科的多样性的空间分异和高值区域并不明显,这可能与科、属、种所代表的不同地质历史时期有关;南部地区属和种的多样性明显高于除滇西北以外的大部分地区。种的多样性分布中心主要集中在滇西北地区、云南南部地区、哀牢山、无量山地区和昆明地区,这可能与生境异质性和热量条件有关。相对科而言,属的区系分化强度的空间分异更为明显,并与物种多样性的分布格局比较接近,暗示着植物多样性与区系分化之间的密切联系。相对科而言,属的区系分化中心高值区域更为明显。总体上,云南地区植物多样性的分布格局及其分化可能与其生境、热量条件和地质历史有关。     

Biogeographical Interpretation of Elevational Patterns of Genus Diversity of Seed Plants in Nepal

This study tests if the biogeographical affinities of genera are relevant for explaining elevational plant diversity patterns in Nepal. We used simultaneous autoregressive (SAR) models to investigate the explanatory power of several predictors in explaining the diversity-elevation relationships shown in genera with different biogeographical affinities. Delta akaike information criterion (ΔAIC) was used for multi-model inferences and selections. Our results showed that both the total and tropical genus diversity peaked below the mid-point of the elevational gradient, whereas that of temperate genera had a nearly symmetrical, unimodal relationship with elevation. The proportion of temperate genera increased markedly with elevation, while that of tropical genera declined. Compared to tropical genera, temperate genera had wider elevational ranges and were observed at higher elevations. Water-related variables, rather than mid-domain effects (MDE), were the most significant predictors of elevational patterns of tropical genus diversity. The temperate genus diversity was influenced by energy availability, but only in quadratic terms of the models. Though climatic factors and mid-domain effects jointly explained most of the variation in the diversity of temperate genera with elevation, the former played stronger roles. Total genus diversity was most strongly influenced by climate and the floristic overlap of tropical and temperate floras, while the influences of mid-domain effects were relatively weak. The influences of water-related and energy-related variables may vary with biogeographical affinities. The elevational patterns may be most closely related to climatic factors, while MDE may somewhat modify the patterns. Caution is needed when investigating the causal factors underlying diversity patterns for large taxonomic groups composed of taxa of different biogeographical affinities. Right-skewed diversity-elevation patterns may be produced by the differential response of taxa with varying biogeographical affinities to climatic factors and MDE.     

A Study of the Infant Nasal Microbiome Development over the First Year of Life and in Relation to Their Primary Adult Caregivers Using cpn60 Universal Target (UT) as a Phylogenetic Marker

Whereas the infant gut microbiome is the subject of intense study, relatively little is known regarding the nares microbiome in newborns and during early life. This study aimed to survey the typical composition and diversity of human anterior nare microflora for developing infants over time, and to explore how these correlate to their primary caregivers. Single nare swabs were collected at five time points over a one-year period for each subject from infant-caregiver pairs. Our study comprised of 50 infants (recruited at 2 weeks, post delivery) and their 50 primary caregivers. Applying the chaperonin-60 (cpn60) universal target (UT) amplicon as our molecular barcoding marker to census survey the microbial communities, we longitudinally surveyed infant nares microbiota at 5 time points over the course of the first year of life. The inter- and intra-subject diversity was catalogued and compared, both longitudinally and relative to their adult primary caregivers. Although within-subject variability over time and inter-subject variability were both observed, the assessment detected only one or two predominant genera for individual infant samples, belonging mainly to phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. Consistent with previously observed microbial population dynamics in other body sites, the diversity of nares microflora increased over the first year of life and infants showed differential operational taxonomic units (OTUs) relative to their matched primary caregiver. The collected evidence also support that both temporal and seasonal changes occur with respect to carriage of potentially pathogenic bacteria (PPBs), which may influence host predisposition to infection. This pilot study surveying paired infant/caregiver nare microbiomes provides novel longitudinal diversity information that is pertinent to better understanding nare microbiome development in infants.     

Phylogenetic diversity of culturable fungi associated with the Hawaiian Sponges Suberites zeteki and Gelliodes fibrosa

Sponges are well documented to harbor large amounts of microbes. Both culture-dependent and molecular approaches have revealed remarkable bacterial diversity in marine sponges. Fungi are commonly isolated from marine sponges, yet no reports on phylogenetic diversity of sponge-inhabiting fungi exist. In this report, we investigated the phylogenetic diversity of culturable fungi from the Hawaiian alien marine sponges Suberites zeteki and Gelliodes fibrosa. A total of 44 independent isolates were recovered from these two sponge species, representing 7 orders and 22 genera of Ascomycota. The majority (58%) of fungal isolates from S. zeteki resided in the Pleosporales group, while the predominant isolates (52%) from G. fibrosa were members of the Hypocreales group. Though differing in fungal species composition and structure, culturable communities of these two sponges displayed similar phylogenetic diversity. At the genus level, only two genera Penicillium and Trichoderma in the Eurotiales and Hypocreales orders, respectively, were present in both sponge species. The other genera of the fungal isolates were associated with either S. zeteki or G. fibrosa. Some of these fungal genera had been isolated from sponges collected in other marine habitats, but more than half of these genera were identified for the first time in these two marine sponges. Overall, the diversity of culturable fungal communities from these two sponge species is much higher than that observed in studies of marine sponges from other areas. This is the first report of phylogenetic diversity of marine sponge-associated fungi and adds one more dimension to our current understanding of the phylogenetic diversity of sponge-symbiotic microbes.     

Microbial Succession in the Gut: Directional Trends of Taxonomic and Functional Change in a Birth Cohort of Spanish Infants

In spite of its major impact on life-long health, the process of microbial succession in the gut of infants remains poorly understood. Here, we analyze the patterns of taxonomic and functional change in the gut microbiota during the first year of life for a birth cohort of 13 infants. We detect that individual instances of gut colonization vary in the temporal dynamics of microbiota richness, diversity, and composition at both functional and taxonomic levels. Nevertheless, trends discernible in a majority of infants indicate that gut colonization occurs in two distinct phases of succession, separated by the introduction of solid foods to the diet. This change in resource availability causes a sharp decrease in the taxonomic richness of the microbiota due to the loss of rare taxa (p = 2.06e-9), although the number of core genera shared by all infants increases substantially. Moreover, although the gut microbial succession is not strictly deterministic, we detect an overarching directionality of change through time towards the taxonomic and functional composition of the maternal microbiota. Succession is however not complete by the one year mark, as significant differences remain between one-year-olds and their mothers in terms of taxonomic (p = 0.009) and functional (p = 0.004) microbiota composition, and in taxonomic richness (p = 2.76e-37) and diversity (p = 0.016). Our results also indicate that the taxonomic composition of the microbiota shapes its functional capacities. Therefore, the observed inter-individual variability in taxonomic composition during succession is not fully compensated by functional equivalence among bacterial genera and may have important physiological consequences. Finally, network analyses suggest that positive interactions among core genera during community assembly contribute to ensure their permanence within the gut, and highlight an expansion of complexity in the interactions network as the core of taxa shared by all infants grows following the introduction of solid foods.     

滇西南四个自然保护区鱼类多样性及评价指标探究

为了解滇西南怒江水系的南滚河自然保护区、南捧河自然保护区、永德大雪山自然保护区及澜沧江水系的澜沧江自然保护区鱼类多样性和变化趋势, 探讨其差异和变化的原因, 本文采用β多样性指数分析了4个保护区的鱼类多样性, 并比较了鱼类分类阶元的特有性、单型性和古老成分的有无等多项指标。结果显示, 4个自然保护区共有土著鱼类85种, 隶属于6目13科45属。在中国仅见于怒江水系的4个特有属有异鲴属(Aspidoparia)和新条鳅属(Neonoemacheilus)分布于这3个保护区中; 18种特有种中, 仅分布在这3个保护区的狭域特有种5种。在中国仅分布于澜沧江水系的属有31个, 但仅安巴沙鳅属(Ambastaia)分布于澜沧江保护区; 在澜沧江保护区分布着中国仅见于澜沧江水系的特有种20种, 其中狭域特有种3种。怒江水系的3个保护区分布有1个单型属, 即鳗鲡属(Anguilla), 但没有单型种; 澜沧江自然保护区无单型属与单型种分布。4个保护区中的鱼类均系晚第三纪和第四纪形成的种类或类群, 没有古老或孑遗种类。β多样性结果显示, 在4个保护区中澜沧江自然保护区的鱼类多样性最丰富, 而南滚河自然保护区的丰富程度最低, 但是怒江水系3个自然保护区鱼类多样性的代表性及保护地位比澜沧江自然保护区的要高。而特有阶元和单型性阶元的存在体现出怒江水系3个自然保护区的保护价值及保护意义比澜沧江保护区高。地理范围跨度大小、生境空间异质性高低、保护区面积大小及支流多少等是影响鱼类多样性的主要因素。因此, 规划和设计保护区时, 如果能在水系的上、中、下游分别规划1条一级支流作为保护区, 可使该水系的绝大多数鱼类得到保护。     

浙江乐清湾湿地水鸟资源及其多样性特征

乐清湾是我国具有重要意义的海湾之一。作者于1997、1999和2003年对乐清湾水鸟的分布、数量和多样性特征进行了研究,共观察到54种水鸟,隶属4目7科24属。其中湾口的水鸟物种数、个体数量、多样性指数、均匀度指数以及涉禽所占比例均为最高,湾底次之,湾中部最低。影响这一区域鸟类分布和多样性的因素包括不同区域的滩涂宽度、水动力条件以及有效潮上坪面积等。乐清湾冬季水鸟的物种数呈逐年下降趋势,但年间差异均不显著。除2003年分布于湾底的水鸟个体数量比1999年有所增加外,其他区域都呈逐年下降的趋势,但只有湾口2003年和1997年间的差异显著。鸟类多样性指数和均匀度指数均呈下降趋势,说明适宜水鸟栖息的整体资源环境正逐渐退化,这可能与围垦等人为干扰因素有关。     

Relationships among Cichorium species and related genera as determined by analysis of mitochondrial RFLPs

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism was employed to assess cytoplasmic diversity among cytoypes of the genus Cichorium and related genera of the tribe Lactuceae (Asteraceae). Hybridization patterns of total DNA using six restriction enzymes and five heterologous mtDNA probes were examined. From estimates of mtDNA diversity, Cichorium spinosum appeared as an ecotype of C. intybus rather than a separate species. Interspecific mtDNA polymorphism in the genus Cichorium was higher than that observed in Cicerbita Crepis, Lactuca and Tragopogon. Molecular data seemed to indicate that Catananche is very distant from the other genera examined. Intergeneric comparisons allowed the clustering of Cicerbita, Lactuca and Cichorium, genera which belong to different subtribes. However, further molecular investigations on a larger number of genera are needed to clarify the relationships among genera within and between subtribes of the tribe Lactuceae.     

Diversity of Scleractinia and Octocorallia in the mesophotic zone of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Mesophotic coral reefs in the Indo-West Pacific, the most diverse coral reef region on earth, are among the least documented. This study provides the first detailed investigation of the diversity of Scleractinia and Octocorallia of the mesophotic Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Specimens were collected by 100-m rock dredge tows at 47–163 m depth on 23 sites in four regions (15.3°–19.7° latitude South). Twenty-nine hard coral species from 19 families were recorded, with the greatest diversity found at <60 m depth, and no specimen was found >102 m. Many of these species are also commonly observed at shallower depths, particularly in inshore areas. Twenty-seven octocoral genera were collected, 25 of which represented azooxanthellate genera. Generic richness of octocorals was highest at depths >60 m. Sixteen of the 25 azooxanthellate genera were either absent or very rare at <18 m, and only five azooxanthellate genera were common on both shallow and mesophotic reefs. Species-area models indicated that the total diversity of hard corals on the deep mesophotic reefs sampled during this study was ~84 species while octocorals were represented by ~37 genera; however, the wide 95% confidence limits indicates that more intensive sampling effort is required to improve the accuracy of these estimates. Nonetheless, these results show that the taxonomic richness, particularly of hard corals, on mesophotic reefs may be much higher than previously thought, a finding that has implications for the comprehensive and adequate protection of the full range of biodiversity of the GBR.     

Biodiversity of pollen in indoor air samples as revealed by DNA metabarcoding

We conducted DNA metabarcoding (based on the nuclear ITS2 region) to characterize indoor pollen samples (possibly accompanied by other plant fragments) and to discover whether there are seasonal changes in their taxonomic diversity. It was shown that DNA metabarcoding has potential to allow a good discovery of taxonomic diversity. The number of spermatophyte families and genera varied greatly among sampling sites (pooled results per building) and times, between 9–40 and 10–66, respectively. Comparable Shannon's diversity indices equaled 0.33–2.76 and 0.94–3.16. The total number of spermatophyte genera found during the study was 187, of which 43.9, 39.6, 7.5 and 9.1% represented wild, garden/crop and indoor house plants, and non‐domestic fruit or other plant material, respectively. Comparable proportions of individual sequences equaled 77.4, 18.8, 2.7 and 1.1%, respectively. When comparing plant diversities and taxonomic composition among buildings or between seasons, no obvious pattern was detected, except for the second summer, when pollen coming from outdoors was highly dominant and the proportions of likely allergens, birch, grass, alder and mugwort pollen, were very high. The average pairwise values of Sørensen_Chao indices that were used to compare similarities for taxon composition between samples among the samples from the two university buildings, two nurseries and farmhouse equaled 0.514, 0.109, 0.564, 0.865 and 0.867, respectively, while the mean similarity index for all samples was 0.524. Cleaning frequency may strongly contribute to the observed diversity. The discovery of considerable diversities, including pollen coming from outside, in both winter and summer shows that substantial amounts of pollen produced in summer enter buildings and stay there throughout the year.     

Analysis of bacterial communities in rhizosphere soil of continuously cropped healthy and diseased konjac

The bacterial community and diversity in healthy and diseased konjac rhizosphere soils with different ages of continuous cropping were investigated using next-generation sequencing. The results demonstrated that the number of years of continuous cropping significantly altered soil bacterial community and diversity. Soil bacterial Shannon diversity index and Chao 1 index decreased with the increasing cropping years of konjac. After 1 year of cropping, the soil exhibited the highest bacterial relative abundance and diversity. Of the 44 bacterial genera (relative abundance ratio of genera greater than 0.3%), 14 were significantly affected by the duration of continuous cropping and plant status. With increasing continuous cropping, Alicyclobacillus decreased, while Achromobacter, Lactobacillus, Kaistobacter, Rhodoplanes increased after 3 years continuous cropping. Continuous cropping altered the structure and composition of the soil bacterial community, which led to the reduction in the beneficial bacteria and multiplication of harmful bacteria. These results will improve our understanding of soil microbial community regulation and soil health maintenance in konjac farm systems.     

西双版纳“龙山”片断雨林蕨类植物的变化研究

通过对曼养广“龙山”片断热带雨林蕨类植物的调查及与３８年前的调查材料进行比较研究,初步阐明了“龙山”林中蕨类植物在科、属、种及种群等方面的一些变化。经过３８年后,“龙山”林中的蕨类植物在科、属、种的组成数量上没有发生明显的变化,仅减少了一个科,属数不变,种数由３５种增加到３８种。“龙山”林蕨类植物的组成成分却发生了明显的变化,其科的消失率和新增率分别为１１．７６％和５．８８％,即消失了２个科和新增了１个科;属的消失率与新增率均是２０．００％,分别消失了５个属和新增加了５个属;而种消失了１４个,新增了１７个,消失率和新增率分别为４０．００％和４８．５７％。种群的变化趋势是阴湿或喜阴湿的蕨种的种群趋于减少,而林缘和林窗阳性或喜阳性的蕨种的种群趋于增大。     

环境因子对橡胶林林下植物多样性的影响

2021年因海南热带雨林国家公园的建立,园内部分人工林停止经营进入次生自然演替状态,使其林下植物较往年更为丰盛,亟待研究。为了摸清人工林的次生自然演替状态及其对环境的适应策略,在海南热带雨林公园橡胶林中设置390个10 m×10 m的样方,在对海南岛公园内植被分布进行全面调查的基础上,研究该区域林下植物组成以及植物群落特征与环境因子的关系。结果表明,(1)维管束植物共有123科455属808种,其中蕨类植物共有21科31属62种、裸子植物3科3属4种、被子植物有99科421属742种(含单子叶植物15科69属120种、双子叶植物84科352属622种);(2)通过对研究区域的植物物种多样性指数与环境因子之间进行RDA分析,共解释橡胶林下物种多样性指数的18.5％。通过蒙特卡罗随机置换检验,有8个环境因素对橡胶林下物种多样性的解释量达到显著水平（P<0.05）,为最干季度平均温度、最湿季度平均温度、平均气温日较差,而混交、胸径、海拔、年降水量和最干季度降水量的影响极为显著（P<0.01）。研究表明,林下植物的多样性受多种环境因素的相互作用影响。其中,温度和降水是综合影响林下植物多样性的关键因素,高温、高湿和干旱等因素对橡胶林下植物多样性产生不利影响。此外,海拔的水热条件也是影响林下植物多样性的重要因素。同时,人工林的状态,如胸径、混交也对林下植物多样性产生重要影响。     

道路边坡坡度对植被恢复中物种多样性的影响研究

以成都平原周边的5条道路的边坡植被群落作为研究对象,采用样线法,研究坡度对道路边坡的植物群落多样性的影响。选取101个海拔在300~400 m间并且土壤质地相同的边坡样方进行坡度分析。结果显示：（1）选取的样方中,共出现142种植物,属于61个科,121属。（2）边坡坡度对阳坡和阴坡的灌木层与草本层的植物群落物种多样性具有显著的影响(P<0.05)。（3）边坡坡度对阴坡群落的均匀度指数影响显著(P<0.05);而对阳坡群落的丰富度影响相对较大,呈现先增加后降低的趋势。分析表明,边坡坡度对成都平原周边地区道路边坡的植物群落多样性具有显著影响;在坡度<35°的条件下,植被群落恢复效果较好,群落的多样性高;而对>35°的边坡来说,多样性指数呈下降趋势,不利于后期边坡恢复。     

Species richness,abundance, distributional pattern and trait composition of butterfly assemblage change along an altitudinal gradient in the Gulmarg region of Jammu & Kashmir,India

Despite enormous diversity, abundance, and role in ecosystem processes, little is known about how butterflies differ across altitudinal gradients. For this, butterfly communities were investigated along an altitudinal gradient of 2700–3200 m a.s.l, along the Gulmarg region of Jammu & Kashmir, India. We aimed to determine how the altitudinal gradient and environmental factors affect the butterfly diversity and abundance. Our findings indicate that species richness and diversity are mainly affected by the synergism between climate and vegetation. Alpha diversity indices showed that butterfly communities were more diverse at lower elevations and declined significantly with increase in elevation. Overall, butterfly abundance and diversity is stronger at lower elevations and gradually keep dropping towards higher elevations because floristic diversity decreased on which butterflies rely for survival and propagation. A total of 2023 individuals of butterflies were recorded belonging to 40 species, represented by 27 genera and 05 families. Six survey sites (S I- S VI) were assessed for butterfly diversity from 2018 to 2020 in the Gulmarg region of Jammu & Kashmir. Across the survey, Nymphalidae was the most dominant family represented by 16 genera and 23 species, while Papilionidae and Hesperiidae were least dominant represented by 01 genera and 01 species each. Among the six collection sites selected, Site I was most dominant, represented by 16 genera and 21 species, while Site VI was least dominant, represented by 04 genera and 04 species.     

Species richness,abundance, distributional pattern and trait composition of butterfly assemblage change along an altitudinal gradient in the Gulmarg region of Jammu & Kashmir,India

Despite enormous diversity, abundance, and role in ecosystem processes, little is known about how butterflies differ across altitudinal gradients. For this, butterfly communities were investigated along an altitudinal gradient of 2700–3200 m a.s.l, along the Gulmarg region of Jammu & Kashmir, India. We aimed to determine how the altitudinal gradient and environmental factors affect the butterfly diversity and abundance. Our findings indicate that species richness and diversity are mainly affected by the synergism between climate and vegetation. Alpha diversity indices showed that butterfly communities were more diverse at lower elevations and declined significantly with increase in elevation. Overall, butterfly abundance and diversity is stronger at lower elevations and gradually keep dropping towards higher elevations because floristic diversity decreased on which butterflies rely for survival and propagation. A total of 2023 individuals of butterflies were recorded belonging to 40 species, represented by 27 genera and 05 families. Six survey sites (S I- S VI) were assessed for butterfly diversity from 2018 to 2020 in the Gulmarg region of Jammu & Kashmir. Across the survey, Nymphalidae was the most dominant family represented by 16 genera and 23 species, while Papilionidae and Hesperiidae were least dominant represented by 01 genera and 01 species each. Among the six collection sites selected, Site I was most dominant, represented by 16 genera and 21 species, while Site VI was least dominant, represented by 04 genera and 04 species.