Microhabitat Differences in Two Lethe Butterflies (Lepidoptera : Nymphalidae) Concerning Thermoregulation

概要

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Closely related species that have similar ecological requirements often vary slightly in their preferences for abiotic environments. In poikilothermal animals, closely related species often utilize different thermal habitats. The congeneric satyrine butterflies Lethe sicelis and L. diana coexist in similar environments and feed on similar foods ; however, L. diana tends to inhabit higher altitudes than L. sicelis. This study investigated the microhabitats of the two Lethe butterflies for three years to know whether these butterflies are segregated according to light intensity. When resting or flying, L. sicelis occupied sites that received slightly more sunlight than L. diana did, as predicted ; however, the territorial sites of L. sicelis were darker than those of L. diana. L. sicelis had higher thoracic temperatures than L. diana when air temperatures were low. These results suggest that L. sicelis selects better-lit sites in order to use solar radiation to maintain the higher thoracic temperature in flight.
2001-09-25