Small reserve but high diversity: butterfly community across an altitudinal gradient in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

A small reserve in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, RPPN Alto-Montana, demonstrates remarkably high butterfly diversity, with 124 species identified across six families. Despite its relatively modest area, the study predicts up to 40 additional species remain undocumented, suggesting even greater biodiversity than observed. The research, conducted along an altitudinal gradient from 1400 to 2100 meters over two seasons using Van-Someren Rydon traps and sweep nets, highlights the significance of this region for conservation, particularly due to the presence of endemic, rare, and endangered species. These findings underscore the need for robust conservation strategies to protect this biodiversity hotspot, contributing critical data to the management plans for UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Serra da Mantiqueira.

Andrade, A. G., Pereira, C. C., Sperandei, V. F., & Cornelissen, T. (2023). Small reserve but high diversity: butterfly community across an altitudinal gradient in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Nature Conservation, 53, 321–340. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.53.113052