Roles of Heterogeneous Habitat for Conservation of Nymphalidae in Sarawak (East Malaysia)

Abstract

Species diversity characterises an area or a targeted habitat and provides information on the species assemblages, which is a primary reflection of habitat diversity. It incorporates both species richness and abundance and may rely on factors, such as host-plant availability and food resources. Kubah National Park is a lowland mixed dipterocarp forest, and uniquely offers various vegetation types, which includes heath and submontane forests. In the present study, four contrasting forest habitats were selected along forest trails, namely, primary forests, secondary forests, heath forests and forest edges. Forty baited traps were used within a six-months of sampling period. The highest abundance was recorded at the heath forest while the least was at the secondary forest. However, there was no significant difference in terms of species abundance between forest habitats for subfamilies, as well as for the 15 most abundant nymphalid species sampled, except for Mycalesis mnasicles. This satyrine was regarded as being able to differentiate habitat, apart from sensitive to canopy openings. Secondary forest provides a heterogeneous habitat for nymphalids, and thus highest diversity was observed here. This study implies that habitat association of the family is crucial, as it will provide information for both species inventory as well as the fluctuation patterns of the nymphalids diversity. Similar study is suggested to be carried out in the future, which incorporates more than one habitat types and in a more extensive period.