Inventory of butterfly fauna (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) of Tripura, India, in the Indo-Myanmar biogeographical zone, with records of threatened taxa

The Tripura province of northeast India, situated in the western fringe of the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot was extensively explored for butterfly fauna. We surveyed 28 wild and managed locations in the hot and humid environment of Tripura province (2009–2012) across different landscape gradients to observe and record butterfly diversity. We report here 212 butterfly species, 65 of which are considered threatened including 41 species protected by Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Thirty-eight species are categorized as threatened by IUCN including one species also by CITES. We recorded the abundance of each butterfly species to highlight the population status of individual butterfly species in order to reveal the status of their conservation in Tripura, in India, and also at global scale. Geographic distribution of 142 species is extended to Tripura. Results of this study form a baseline data on the diversity and conservation of butterflies in this biodiversity hotspot.

Variation in butterfly diversity and unique species richness along different habitats in Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary, Tripura, northeast India

Quantification of butterfly diversity and species richness is of prime importance for evaluating the status of protected areas. Permanent line transect counts were used to record species richness and abundance of butterfly communities of different habitat types in Trishna wildlife sanctuary. A total of 1005 individuals representing 59 species in 48 genera belonging to five families were recorded in the present study. Of these, 23 species belonged to the family Nymphalidae and accounted for 38.98% of the total species and 45.20% of the total number of individuals. Mature secondary mixed moist deciduous forest showed the maximum diversity and species richness, while exotic grassland showed minimum diversity and species richness. Out of 59 species, 31 are new records for Tripura state, while 21 are unique species and nine are listed in the threatened category. This study revealed that mature secondary forests are more important for butterfly communities, while exotic grasslands have a negative impact on species composition