Spatial and temporal distribution of butterfly in highland and lowland forests of Johor

Johor is a fast developing state and if unchecked could lead to loss of biodiversity. Among insects, butterfly is an important bioindicator of environmental changes. For effective management purposes, a baseline data of butterfly is needed. Samplings were carried out in various forest types: Taman Negara Johor Endau Rompin (TNJER), a lowland forest (30 to 100 m above sea level (a.s.l.)) and Taman Negara Johor Gunung Ledang (TNJGL), a highland forest (400, 800 and 1200 m a.s.l.). The objectives of this research were (i) to document butterfly diversity in TNJER and TNJGL, (ii) to analyse species diversity patterns based on faunistic aspect, (iii) to determine temporal distributions based on seasonal variations and (iv) to relate the effects of environmental parameter on butterfly’s diversity. Samplings were done manually (along 2 km transect) and trapping using fruit bait (rotten banana and pineapple) over a period of 15 months from April 2014 until July 2015. A total of 1125 individuals comprising 191 butterfly species from five families were collected and recorded. Nymphalidae was the most well- represented family. The values of Shannon Diversity Index (H’) and Species Evenness Index (E’) were higher in TNJER (H’=4.123; E’=0.471) than TNJGL (H’=3.405; E’=0.235). Based on elevations, 400 m a.s.l. had the highest species index (H’=4.169) and more even distribution (E’=0.660) compared to the two higher altitudes. Temporally, the diversity index was the highest in May (H’=3.357) and lowest in June (1.639) at TNJER and indicated the highest species similarity occurring between April and May. In TNJGL, the diversity was the highest in May (H’=3.626) and lowest during June (2.012) and resulted greatest similarity between June and August. However, this study found no significant relationships (p> 0.05) between environmental parameters (humidity and temperature) and diversity (species richness and abundance) at different elevations. The spatial and temporal approaches used in this study would increase in understanding on the impact of altitudinal and climatic changes on butterfly’s diversity and provide baseline data for Johor that would be useful for biodiversity monitoring and conservation of the protected areas

Spatial Distribution of Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in Taman Negara Johor Endau Rompin (Peta), Mersing, Johor, Malaysia

Being the largest protected area and an old tropical rainforest in the southern Peninsular Malaysia, Taman Negara Johor Endau Rompin (TNJER) is home for diverse flora and fauna. The present biodiversity and ecology of forest ecosystem need to be understood to facilitate park management and conservation effort. Butterfly is useful for ecological evaluation of terrestrial landscapes and management of natural areas due to their sensitivity in responding toward environmental variations. The samplings were conducted manually using aerial net and trapping using fruit baits along two of 1 km transects in the eastern part of TNJER (Nature Education and Research Centre and Kuala Jasin) from April 2014 to July 2015. A total of 131 species comprising 491 individuals from five families were recorded. This study had also successfully added 27 new records for TNJER. The most dominant species are Graphium sarpedon, Bassarona teuta and Zizeeria karsandra. The value of Shannon diversity and species evenness indices were 4.123 and 0.471 respectively. This indicated the high diversity of butterfly in the park. The curve of species accumulation graph was still increasing by the end of this study. Using Inventory Completeness Index, this sampling effort had covered only 51.15%. Using non-parametric estimator namely Chao1 suggested an estimated additional 87 species are expected to be found if the sampling continued. The chances of finding additional species are considered high due to high number of singletons (48.9%) and doubletons (16.8%) species recorded in this study. More comprehensive diversity and ecological studies are crucial to facilitate in comparing species from newer tropical forest of Borneo and other parts of Southeast Asia and to gauge in term of biogeography and conservation aspects. This study had produced a comprehensive checklist of butterfly in TNJER, comprising of 349 species, and it could be a reference point to understand the overall diversity of butterfly in Johor

A review of distribution and diversity of butterfly (lepidoptera: rhopalocera) fauna in Johor, Malaysia

The objectives of this paper are to (i) review the diversity and distribution of butterflies in different forested areas of Johor and (ii) compare the species composition in each study site. Data is based on field sampling and published records. This paper was able to review study sites from records dating as early as 1987. Study sites include Taman Negara Johor Endau Rompin (TNJER) Peta, TNJER Selai, Gunung Ledang, Bukit Reban Kambing, Bukit Soga and Hutan Lipur Sg Bantang. To evaluate the variation in butterfly diversity in the different forest, the study sites were characterized by describing and comparing overlapping species using hierarchical cluster analysis. To date, a total of 396 species of butterflies are recorded so far in Johor. This accounts for 37.57% of the overall butterfly fauna in Peninsular Malaysia. The highest species richness was recorded in TNJER with a total of 349 species discovered to date. Based on the cluster analysis, species composition in TNJER Peta and Selai showed the highest similarity at 37%. Locality with the most different species composition was Bukit Tukau, Bukit Belading and Bukit Reban Kambing with only 7% similarity. Remarkably, many of the protected species under Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 can be found in Johor. These species include Zeuxidia aurelius aurelius (Cramer), Polyura eudamippus peninsularis (Pendlebury), and Troides helena cerberus (C. & R. Felder). Data obtained from this paper is important for future planning and management of conservation areas in Johor

Butterflies (Lepidoptera Papilionoidea) diversity at Endau-Rompin Johor national park, Malaysia and prioritising the potential groups for nature tourism product

From a total of 17,461 species of butterfly described worldwide, at least twothird are from the tropics. Peninsular Malaysia is home to 1038 butterfly species. Endau-Rompin Johor National Park (ERJNP) in particular recorded 349 species as analysed from collections of 1987 to 2015. It represents 34% of butterfly fauna in Peninsular Malaysia. This paper aims (i) to document the diversity of butterfly in ERJNP and (ii) identify potential groups of butterfly that satisfy six criteria for good nature tourism product. The criteria are reliability of sighting, safe, with unique morphology and behaviour, rare or endemic and with cultural linkage. The samplings were done manually using aerial net and trapping using fruit baits along two 1 km transects in the eastern part of ERJNP (Nature Education and Research Centre and Kuala Jasin) from February 2014 to July 2015. This study successfully recorded 131 species comprising of 491 individuals from five families. Nymphalidae was the most dominant family, making up 51% of butterfly abundance and richness. Five dominant species were recorded with 31 to 43 individuals per species. The values of Shannon diversity index (H’) and species evenness index (E’) were 4.123 and 0.471 respectively. Significantly, eight species collected were protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act, 2010 and 14 were considered rare and uncommon. Butterflies are frequently encountered, morphologically and behaviourally unique. These attributes fascinate visitors of the park, thus butterfly has a potential to be promoted as new attraction for nature tourism in ERJNP

Butterfly as bioindicator for development of conservation areas in Bukit Reban Kambing, Bukit Belading and Bukit Tukau, Johor, Malaysia

Butterflies are often used as indicator surrogates to evaluate the quality of ecosystems. This is made possible due to their sensitive responses toward environmental fluctuations and habitat changes. Butterflies were collected opportunistically using aerial nets at three hill dipterocarp forests; Bukit Reban Kambing (BRK), Bukit Belading (BB) and Bukit Tukau (BT) of Johor, Malaysia from 8th to 11th March 2016. The objectives of this study are to provide a checklist of butterflies of the hills and evaluate habitat suitability in an effort to support the proposal to gazette the hills as part of the Gunung Ledang protected area. A total of 60 individuals belonging to 23 species, 21 genera, and five families were recorded. Comparing the three hills, BRK recorded the greatest individual and species numbers, followed by BT and BB. BRK recorded the highest Shannon diversity index, H’ (2.272) value, whereas BB presented the highest value of species evenness index, E’ (0.945). MaxEnt modeling of the butterflies in BRK, BB, and BT showed a network of high habitat suitability areas connecting Gunung Ledang and our sampling locations. Despite limited sampling effort, this baseline data could possibly strengthen the effort for gazettement and prevent further pressure from mining activity and land conversion

Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) fauna of Kangkawat Research Station, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia

Forty-three species of butterflies from 36 genera and six families are reported for Kangkawat Research Station, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA). This accounts for 4.6 percent of the 944 species reported in Borneo. Compared to studies from other localities in ICCA, the butterfly fauna in Kangkawat Research Station is diverse and evenly distributed with a Shannon’s index of Diversity (H’) value of 3.636 and Simpson’s index of Species Evenness (E1/D) value of 0.776.The most dominant family is Nymphalidae with 27 species recorded followed by Lycaenidae with 11 species. Seven species are new records for ICCA: Eurema blanda, Mycalesis dohertyi, Nacaduba berenice, Arhopala aedias agnis, Arhopala agesias, Drupadia cineas and Taractrocera ardonia. Three species: Mycalesis kina, Acytolepis ripte and Drupadia cineas, which are endemic to Borneo are also recorded here. The presence of the butterfly species of high conservation value highlights Kangkawat Research Station as an important area for conservation of these species

Analysing count data of Butterflies communities in Jasin, Melaka: a poisson regression analysis

Counting outcomes normally have remaining values highly skewed toward the right as they are often characterized by large values of zeros. The data of butterfly communities, had been taken from Jasin, Melaka and consists of 131 number of subject visits in Jasin, Melaka. In this paper, considering the count data of butterfly communities, an analysis is considered Poisson regression analysis as it is assumed to be an alternative way on better suited to the counting process. This research paper is about analysing count data from zero observation ecological inference of butterfly communities in Jasin, Melaka by using Poisson regression analysis. The software for Poisson regression is readily available and it is becoming more widely used in many field of research and the data was analysed by using SAS software. The purpose of analysis comprised the framework of identifying the concerns. Besides, by using Poisson regression analysis, the study determines the fitness of data for accessing the reliability on using the count data. The finding indicates that the highest and lowest number of subject comes from the third family (Nymphalidae) family and fifth (Hesperidae) family and the Poisson distribution seems to fit the zero values

Tourists’ Perceptions of Insects as the Determinants of Insect Conservation through Entomological Ecotourism

Insects are commonly featured in recreation and tourism around the world, despite the generally negative public perception surrounding them. Many people enjoy watching butterflies in insectarium gardens, observing and collecting dragonflies, and admiring the light displays of fireflies. In many cases, activities like these are becoming increasingly popular and these positive interactions with insects encourage public appreciation of insects, but vary acuities in their forms and approaches. Thus, understanding the pattern of insect appearances in recreation and tourism activities in a variety of discernments can provide important insights into effective ways of promoting insect conservation through ecotourism, which is often overlooked in biodiversity conservation strategies. However, these types of interdisciplinary studies are relatively new and remain limited in both entomology and tourism sciences. A field survey was carried out at Kangkawat Research Station, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area, where a 1 kilometre entomological ecotourism trail was designed and developed to incorporate insects in enhancing ecotourism at the reserve. Insects that can be found along the 1 kilometre trail were recorded and the collection was conducted using baited traps and sweep netting. Based on the insects survey, the Shannon Diversity Index (H’) of Kangkawat is 4.60 while Simpson Index is 176.72 with Fisher Alpha Index at 313.3 that concludes Kangkawat Research Station insect richness to be the second highest after the Crocker Range. In adressing the knowledge gaps between insect conservation and ecotourism, a survey on attitudes towards insects was designed and then completed by 384 tourists around Kota Kinabalu City. The standardized questionnaire known as the Personal Meaning of Insects Map (PMIM) was administered to tourists and their responses were elicited prior to and after observing insect photos. The results shows that “spider” had the 100% connectivity in response to the most detested insect based on their previous encounters with insects. This result shows that there is an existing entomology knowledge gap among the respondents, indicating the need for further interventions in terms of nature interpretation. Therefore a quality guided nature interpretation as an educational tool should take into account how the general public understands (or misunderstands) insects further and where interpretive information could be better applied if we are to develop management and educational tools that address human-insect encounters

Diversity of butterfly (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) and its potential role as entomotourism product in Gunung Ledang, Malaysia

Entomotourism is part of nature-based tourism that uses insect as a product. In this study, butterfly was chosen to be proffered as new attraction in Gunung Ledang, Malaysia. The objectives are to i) determine the diversity of butterfly, ii) select ten most charismatic species based on the eight criteria currently used for development of nature tourism product and iii) produce a souvenir prototype. The samplings were done manually using aerial net and baited trapping along 1 km transect in Gunung Ledang Resort trail over six sampling occasions between January to July 2019. This study recorded 40 species comprising of 89 individuals from six families, thus successfully added twelve new records for Gunung Ledang. Butterfly fauna in sampling area considered diverse supported by Shannon diversity index of 3.388 and had even species distribution as species evenness index of 0.906. From the total number of species, ten short-listed of butterfly species had met six criteria of a good nature tourism product: safety, rarity, attractive morphology, behavioural enticement, reliability of sightings, and ecologically important. The species are Graphium sarpedon luctatius, G. agamemnon agamemnon, Papilio polytes romulus, P. memnon agenor, P. nephelus sunatus, Eurema hecabe contubernalis, Idea hypermnestra linteata, Zeuxidia doubledayi doubledayi, Euploea radamanthus radamanthus, and Elymnias casiphone saueri. Brochure and souvenir prototypes were developed based on the selected species that portrayed local image which could potentially be added to the existing attractions. Overall, much of the research is about to diversify tourism products which is in line with the Malaysia Government’s agenda and also, point out the need to conserve Gunung Ledang

Detecting overdispersion in count data: a zero-inflated poisson regression analysis

This study focusing on analysing count data of butterflies communities in Jasin, Melaka. In analysing count dependent variable, the Poisson regression model has been known as a benchmark model for regression analysis. Continuing from the previous literature that used Poisson regression analysis, this study comprising the used of zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression analysis to gain acute precision on analysing the count data of butterfly communities in Jasin, Melaka. On the other hands, Poisson regression should be abandoned in the favour of count data models, which are capable of taking into account the extra zeros explicitly. By far, one of the most popular models include ZIP regression model. The data of butterfly communities which had been called as the number of subjects in this study had been taken in Jasin, Melaka and consisted of 131 number of subjects visits Jasin, Melaka. Since the researchers are considering the number of subjects, this data set consists of five families of butterfly and represent the five variables involve in the analysis which are the types of subjects. Besides, the analysis of ZIP used the SAS procedure of overdispersion in analysing zeros value and the main purpose of continuing the previous study is to compare which models would be better than when exists zero values for the observation of the count data. The analysis used AIC, BIC and Voung test of 5% level significance in order to achieve the objectives. The finding indicates that there is a presence of over-dispersion in analysing zero value. The ZIP regression model is better than Poisson regression model when zero values exist