Community structure and habitat selection of butterflies in Rajaji National Park, a moist deciduous forest in Uttaranchal, India.

摘要

This study was conducted during 1997-99 to assess the species diversity, evenness and richness of butterflies in four selected habitats (free from human disturbances, previously logged, moderately disturbed, and highly disturbed) having different plant communities in a moist deciduous forest in Rajaji National Park, Uttaranchal, India. A total of 1857 individuals, belonging to 40 species and 7 families, were recorded. Thirty-eight species of butterflies were recorded in the first year and 33 species in the second year. Nineteen species of butterflies were common in all the study sites. A marked difference in the community structure of butterflies was observed among the study sites. The highly disturbed site supported the highest number of species. However, the minimum plant diversity and high disturbances have affected the overall diversity, evenness and abundance of butterflies at this site. The site with moderate disturbance had overall higher values of species diversity, evenness and abundance. Results indicate that habitats with open canopy and greater heterogeneity and moderate level of disturbances are preferred habitats of butterflies and their community structure may be a viable tool in assessing habitat suitability.