Abstract

CAMERO, ÉDGAR  and  CALDERON C, ANDERSON M. Butterflies Community (Lepidoptera:Rhopalocera) Along an Altitudinal Gradient in Combeima River Canyon Tolima, Colombia. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2007, vol.12, n.2, pp.95-110. ISSN 0120-548X.

Altitudinal variations in composition, richness, diversity and structure were studied in the butterflies’ communities along an altitudinal gradient in Combeima River basin (JuntasTolima, Colombia) from 1800 m until 3000 m during one year through three sampling times, using insect nets and VanSomerenRydon traps. 101 butterflies species were collected that were classified into 59 genera and five families. Butterflies population values changed through altitude and year season, and showed important ecological changes in 1900 m where we found a transition zone in fauna composition and where exclusive fauna decrease in each sampling station. This exclusive fauna could be named as indicator of ecological disturbances.

Keywords : Ecology; bioindicators; insects; Lepidoptera; diversity; gradients.

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